Let’s Introduce You to Helen Green our Centre Administrator

Hi, I’m Helen and I’ve worked at The Brightwell since 2024. I support Doro with a variety of admin activities and look after Policies, Processes, Health & Safety, and Facilities at the Centre, as well as onboarding volunteers, health practitioners and organising and hosting corporate volunteering groups. I work with all the departments at the Centre in one way or another – no two days are alike!

I was born in London (and have a twin brother!) but have lived in several locations across the southwest. I was a keen sportswoman at school but struggled with rare autoimmune issues and spinal injuries in my teens, which impacted my mobility. I was also a bookworm with a love of Science, English, and Philosophy. After completing my degree in Psychology, I was awarded a scholarship to study an MPhil in Health Psychology, specialising in addiction and psychopharmacology. Throughout this time, I experienced further health problems but continued lecturing students and being involved in clinical research trials, whilst successfully completing my MPhil.

A few years later, my husband and I moved to Bristol, where I worked in education and then in aerospace. I worked in Quality and Project Management roles running multiple projects, including within the NHS, which was some of the most challenging work I’ve ever been involved in. During that time, I suffered additional spinal damage and was prescribed an eye-watering number of powerful painkillers and treatments to keep me functional, but this also exacerbated my chronic fatigue. I was concerned about the volume of medications I was taking so investigated other ways to help manage my chronic pain. This led me to explore the fascinating world of Clinical Hypnotherapy.

In 2012, I qualified as a Solution Focused Clinical Hypnotherapist and Psychotherapist. I enjoyed helping hundreds of clients whilst also qualifying as a Clinical Supervisor and training other therapists in Neuroscience, Stress, Pain Management, and Gut Health. I also joined a professional association for Solution Focused Hypnotherapists (AfSFH) as Editor of their journal. Six months later, I was asked to take over as CEO, which I accepted, working with a fabulous Executive team. In 2020, COVID-19 appeared, and it took a lot of work to support the

association’s therapists, who had to transition to helping clients online.

After a couple of years, members of my family became unwell and were struggling with mobility. I found I could no longer commit to working with clients in the evenings and weekends as well as during the day, so I looked for a new challenge that would allow more regular hours. I was still CEO of the AfSFH but knew I couldn’t keep up with so many demands whilst supporting my family. Not long after, I saw an opportunity at The Brightwell, and the rest, as they say, is history!

After a few months at The Brightwell, I stepped down as CEO of the AfSFH and was honoured to be made a Fellow of the organisation in 2024. I still try to keep up to date with neuroscience, microbiome and behavioural research (my passions!). I enjoy lots of other hobbies and although my mobility and energy can be variable, I enjoy gardening and exploring nature. I enjoy music and singing and am quite artistic (more enthusiastic than talented!) and enjoy drawing and other crafts. I also enjoy travelling and have developed a passion for cruising in recent years – I love looking out at the ocean and waking up somewhere new to explore each day.

The Centre is such a wonderful place, full of wonderful people. As someone who has lived with health issues for most of my life, I’m truly inspired by the members, volunteers, and staff I see every day.

Hope to see you at the Centre soon!

Best wishes,

Helen