Port In The Storm (PITS) was created by Roland and Leanne Gulvin, shaped by their own experiences navigating difficult and complex life challenges.
They know first-hand how overwhelming it can feel when something goes wrong — especially when you’re unsure who to trust or how to apply general information to your specific situation.
While there are many valuable resources available, they experienced a clear gap:
Support that is personal, practical, and accessible without financial pressure.
That’s why PITS was created — to come alongside people when they need it most.
The Reality Behind PITS
In 2024, Roland and Leanne experienced one of their most significant life challenges.
Roland was forced to leave his role in the NHS, leading them to take action through an Employment Tribunal.
It was a difficult and isolating process.
They weren’t eligible for Legal Aid, and the cost of professional support was out of reach. Like many others, they found themselves navigating a complex situation largely on their own.
That experience reinforced a powerful realisation:
There is a gap between free support and expensive professional services — and many people fall into it.
PITS was created to bridge that gap.
What PITS Stands For
PITS exists to support people through difficult situations by helping them:
Understand their options
Make informed decisions
Communicate clearly and confidently
Feel supported throughout the process
You remain in control of your situation — PITS is there to support you along the way.
Meet Roland & Leanne
At the heart of PITS is a shared passion for helping people navigate life’s challenges with clarity and confidence.
Leanne
As a child I was on the shy, insecure side — too worried about what people would think to say what I really thought.
Over time, through my own life experiences, I’ve learned how important it is to stand up for yourself and for what’s right.
It’s not always easy, and even now it doesn’t always feel natural, but it matters more than ever in a world that can feel increasingly complex and overwhelming.
READ MORE
By the time I met Roland in my late twenties, I had learned how to say what I thought. Somehow, having him in my corner made me feel even more able to stand up for myself.
My other business is called Little Miss Particular, which probably tells you a bit about me. The name was partly inspired by the lady who dealt with the second and third re-making of my wedding ring because it wasn’t right: “You are very particular, Mrs Gulvin.”
Yes — I am!
Fired up then, I spent my thirties regaling my friends with the latest thing I got free or reduced thanks to a firm but fair complaint. Shoes, sofas, even houses — if it’s not what was promised, I’m not accepting it. I wish more people felt able to do the same, but I know first-hand that it can take a huge amount of time and effort to fight for what’s right — and the reality is, we don’t all have that.
Imperfect shoes may not be life storms, but those were certainly present too.
We planned our wedding alongside a funeral and began married life battling an infuriating probate situation. Estate money meant solicitors could be used, but ever the money-saver, we did much of the work ourselves. That experience proved helpful ten years later, following the unexpected death of my brother and another complicated probate situation — this time without the luxury of solicitors and with very limited free support available for our specific circumstances.
In the ten years between those life-changing events, we: Fought housing issues with rental properties and our own home Raised complaints about faulty goods Went to small claims court on behalf of our old business (and lost — so we know how that feels too) Challenged the care of our daughters in the neonatal unit
And yes… I got free shoes because they were missing some crystals
Big storms and shoes — it all comes down to what’s right and fair.
I’ve learned to fight for that when we can’t pay someone to do it for us, and when it requires a huge amount of time and energy to navigate what can feel like an overwhelming amount of information online.
I can’t tell you how many times we’ve said: “There must be something — or someone — who could help.”
But most of the time, there wasn’t.
Looking back, it’s fair to say the idea for PITS had been brewing for a long time, even if we didn’t realise it. And coupled with the fact that Roland and I genuinely enjoy working together… here we are.
It did take a particular storm to prompt that question again — and this time, we had to face it ourselves.
I’ll let Roland tell you about that part…”
Roland
Something I’ve learned over time is that we’re not all that different from one another — we all experience similar life events, but what differs is how we’re able to respond to them.
For a long time, I wouldn’t have challenged authority or spoken up. But experience has shown me how important it is to question things when they don’t feel right, not just for ourselves, but for others too.
READ MORE
We only have to look at movements like #MeToo or situations such as the Post Office Horizon scandal to recognise that legitimate challenge is a positive and necessary thing — not just for the individuals involved, but for society as a whole.
These moments have helped shape my own confidence in standing up for what’s right when things haven’t gone as they should.
Often, though, these stories rely on the courage of one or two individuals to challenge systems, seek justice, and push for change.
Easy, right?
Not always. Pursuing the truth can come at a cost — almost always financial, often emotional, and sometimes it can feel like a very lonely place to be.
As Leanne mentioned, 2024 brought our most recent life storm, which led us to rethink how we might work together.
In July, I was forced to leave my role and my career in the NHS.
It was a huge decision, and the circumstances meant we had to take action to stand up for what was right — but we had to do it ourselves.
To pursue the truth, we took the step of going to Employment Tribunal. It’s been a slow, time-consuming process, and for the most part, a journey we’ve had to navigate alone.
Because of our financial situation, we weren’t eligible for Legal Aid, and we didn’t have the savings to pay for professional support.
If only there had been another way to get the help we needed.
That experience is a big part of why PITS exists today.
Whether you’re dealing with something relatively small, like a disputed charge, or something more complex, like a probate issue, we want to come alongside you — helping you communicate clearly, understand your options, and feel supported as you move forward.
Before PITS, I spent over 20 years working in the NHS across mental health and acute trusts, in roles including research, governance, audit, and operational management.
My skills are quite different to Leanne’s, but they complement each other well — and together, we make a strong team. Thankfully, life isn’t all about the storms.
I’m a very proud husband and father, and we make a conscious effort to invest time in our family. I enjoy singing along to the Rolling Stones (usually while cooking), and I’ve developed a bit of a thing for shoes — particularly chukkas, Chelsea boots, and wingtips.
More Than Just The Storms
Outside of PITS, Roland and Leanne are proud parents to their twin daughters, who share their passion for helping others.
They bring both personal experience and professional skills to their work — combining empathy, structure, and a genuine commitment to supporting people when they need it most.
Life doesn’t always go to plan.
When things feel overwhelming or unclear, having the right support around you can make all the difference.
