For over 12 years, she has worked as a community artist, creative facilitator and wellbeing practitioner, supporting individuals, families and communities across Greater Manchester. Her practice is trauma-informed and person-centred, grounded in the belief that creativity can offer meaningful ways to process experiences, express emotions and foster healing and recovery.
She has experience supporting people affected by mental ill-health, trauma, domestic abuse, substance misuse, neurodiversity, SEND and social exclusion. Alongside my therapeutic practice, I have developed and delivered community arts and wellbeing projects in partnership with NHS services, voluntary organisations and community groups, creating accessible opportunities for people to connect, create and feel supported.
She is passionate about creating warm, inclusive and compassionate spaces where people feel heard, valued and empowered to explore their wellbeing through art and creative expression.
Her practice centres on the use of hand stitching, embroidery, and textile arts as creative tools for reflection, self-expression, connection, and personal wellbeing. Working with women, families, young people, and community groups, Helen creates safe and supportive spaces where making by hand can encourage confidence, resilience, and meaningful engagement.
Throughout her career, she has collaborated with community organisations, women’s groups, educational institutions, and wellbeing projects, supporting participants affected by trauma, abuse, social isolation, anxiety, depression, and layered grief. Her work is informed by trauma-aware, person-centred approaches that honour individual experiences while fostering creativity and connection.
Helen’s current practice explores the role of hand stitching and textile arts in supporting reflection, remembrance, loss, and renewal. She is particularly interested in the ways repetitive stitch, mindful making, and shared creative experiences can help people navigate life transitions, process emotions, and reconnect with themselves and others.
She holds an MA in Entrepreneurship for Creative Practice, a Postgraduate Diploma in Fine Art, and qualifications in teaching, mindfulness, meditation, and arts-based wellbeing.
She uses hand stitching, embroidery, and yarn-based crafts to foster mindfulness, patience, confidence, kindness and inclusion, as well as to release creativity in safe, non-judgemental spaces.
She has been crafting since childhood and her skills were passed on to her by her mother and grandmother. Because of this, she feels that everyone should have a useful skill that can also be beneficial to mental health and wellbeing and to make life that little bit better.
She holds an MA in Social Documentary Photography and a PGCE. She has a work history in industry and further education.
She believes in the healing power of balancing mind, body and soul – tuning in and connecting with all aspects of our human experience.
She offers one-to-one and group sessions focusing on holistic practices to balance and inform:
• Anxiety
• Low mood
• Self-Esteem
• Better sleep
• Feeling well
• Holistic healing techniques
• Unhelpful thinking
• Neurodivergence
• Creative blocks
• Burnout
• Life transitions
and much more!
She also holds workshops in singing, using the voice for connection, uplifting and healing.
Amber and Oak Therapy CIC 