Consultancy Work
Background Information
Helen started out many years ago carrying out information and research work with the University of Hertfordshire Library’s business information service – Hertis Information. She then progressed to Business Link Hertfordshire Information Service, supporting businesses, business start ups, long term unemployed and women returners. Moving onto work for Bedfordshire TEC Information Service in 2005 she supported businesses, 16-25 years olds, long term unemployed and those facing redundancy. Frustrated by only being able to advise people in this role Helen then went on to work for North Beds Adult and Community Education applying for funding and running projects to support the groups she had previously worked with. Successful funding applications include DIY courses for womens’ groups, funding for ICT centres at John Bunyan and Mark Rutherford community colleges and Out of School Hours Learning clubs for schools. Helen then went on to manage Sandy & Biggleswade community education colleges increasing their provision, and running projects supporting Basic Skills Learners in the region.
After opting for redundancy in 2004 Helen did an MA in Heritage management and worked for two years as education development officer for Luton Museums Service, running bespoke projects for the museums service; including learning mentors & gifted and talented and setting up teachers liaison panels and adult education workshops. Helen was also successful in obtaining £250,000 funding towards the LMS Stockwood Park Development Plan’s education strand. She set up teachers’ liaison panels and was a “Champion” for Inspiring Learning for All within the Museum Service.
In a nutshell, Helen has worked with all age ranges and abilities, both teaching and running projects. She has carried out research & evaluation projects for the Bedfordshire & Luton Learning Partnership and the Army Museum Ogilby Trust . She has successfully applied for ESF, National Lottery and grants for various organisations. She has carried out research on the links between museums & education in the Bedfordshire area, the links between museums and secondary schools, house & family history, and Elizabeth Thompson a 17th Century Kendal Midwife, and 17th century midwifery.
Helen has a BA in History, an MA in Women’s History & an MA in Heritage Management (with Distinction). She has been a student, an educator, tutor, a school governor and a manager within the education sector and has a passion for education, history & heritage. She is a member of the Museums’ Association, Association for Independent Museums, and the Group for Education in Museums.
Most recent contracts;
Women’s Engineering Society – Centenary Trail Project Officer http://www.wes.org.uk/WESCentenaryTrail
Luton Culture – Hat Works – Interpretation plan and heritage research
Woolsthorpe Manor – National Trust – Illuminating Newtons Learning Plan
Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire Regiment Museum Trust Gallery redevelopment in conjunction with Luton Culture https://www.lutonculture.com/wardown-house/galleries-and-exhibitions/hertfordshire-and-bedfordshire-regiment-gallery/
Jordans Mill Heritage Centre learning and volunteer programme co-ordination
Army Museum Ogilby Trust Regiment Museum Case Study Research
Adult learning sessions on local and family history & revision of Faces of East End Education sessions – Bishopsgate Institute
Space for Learning Virtual Museum Project, Generations Together – Fashion sessions & Memory Boxes, Adult Learning Review – Luton Cultural Services Trust
If you are interested in Helen helping your museum or heritage organisation with your project – be it education, volunteer, interpretation, planning, bid writing, funding advice, session development and delivery, then please use the contact page.
Woman Writes 