Helen qualified as an occupational therapist in 2001 and began her career at Newcastle upon-Tyne Foundation Trust, completing a rotational post in elective orthopaedics, medicine, and surgery. She progressed to a Senior II role, specialising in burns and plastics, critical care, amputees, stroke assessment, cardiac rehabilitation, and elderly care.

Helen focused on thorough assessments to help patients reach their optimum level of function and pursued a master’s degree in stroke rehabilitation. In January 2009, she joined Northumbria Healthcare Foundation Trust as a Senior Occupational Therapist for CARE Point, where she specialised in admission avoidance and early hospital discharge. Helen conducted comprehensive assessments in clients’ homes, developed goal-led rehabilitation programmes, and implemented moving-and-handling plans.

As part of a multidisciplinary team, she managed a varied caseload, which included long-term neurological and palliative cases. Helen also contributed to team training and served as a mock inspector for the Care Quality Commission. She created a health and well-being programme focusing on fall prevention, including gait and balance training and personalised home risk assessments.

Most recently, she joined JSP Case Management as an Occupational Therapist, specialising in equipment and adaptations, and leading manual handling training. In this role, Helen conducts specialist assessments and develops bespoke moving-and-handling plans, demonstrating her ongoing commitment to supporting her clients effectively.