From her original Bounce Back Be Happy work in Developing Aspiration, Resilience and Optimism in adults and children, Helen went on to create www.ruMAD2.org.uk with Elaine Drainville (Senior Lecturer at Sunderland University).

Previously a Primary Headteacher in a Newcastle Primary school and a School Improvement Adviser/ School Improvement Adviser and Ofsted Inspector for Newcastle City Council Children's Services, Helen specialises in Leadership & Management, School Workforce Development, Coaching & Mentoring and Executive Coaching.

In particular, as a Master Practitioner in NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) and a certified trainer in Shelle Rose Charvet's LAB Profile (Language and Behaviour Profiling), Helen has applied these and a range of strategies to help further promote aspiration, resilience and optimism.

Further details can be found on www.bloomandgrow.org.uk (for parents, teachers, leaders and workforce) and www.changechimps.com (for children and young people).

Helen has always lived in the North East and has been involved in the region's music community for over 30 years, playing French Horn in Orchestra North East(www.durhamsinfonia.org.uk), and other regional orchestras.

A keen trumpet player and singer, Helen has played with local community bands and choirs such as the Tenth Avenue Band, Co-optimists, Blue Mango and Uplifted, for which she has organised many successful events.

She also plays with IncaHoots, a 9 piece Latin Funk Jazz Band (www.incahoots.info)