Helen worked in Lambeth for most of her career, joining as an Outreach Worker when Rosendale Children’s Centre was just an idea, and progressing over 15 years to manage first her team of Better Start workers and then a cluster of three children’s centres. In January 2020, she became Parenting Lead for Lambeth, a role that she seemed made for. It was very apparent to all of us she worked with that Helen’s professional life and identity was very important to her: she had the most amazing work ethic and commitment, and clearly gained great satisfaction from doing work she loved. In doing so, she made a huge difference to the lives of so many children and families, and brightened the lives of all of us too.

In this little book, Helen’s many colleagues (some of whom were also Helen’s close friends) have written down a few of their favourite stories or memories of working with Helen. Our hope is that as Charlie, Noah and Eliza grow up these stories will help them to know a little bit about how their mum was at work, and perhaps take from that some of the inspiration which Helen would have given them if she could.