Helen Allen | Community Catalysts

It may be fine @shirleyayres. I will just be more conciously looking out for your tweets now. Could be just a timing issue:) @AnnWalkerWEA

Helen Allen (BA Hons Social Science 2:1 NVQ level 4 in management)

Helen worked as a Community Support Worker in 24 hour shared accommodation for people with a learning disability for 3 years in Oldham before working in the council’s Shared Lives (formerly adult placement) scheme. She managed the scheme from 1999, developing it into a generic service for all client groups whilst increasing the range of services available.

In 2007 Helen was seconded to Shared Lives Plus to coordinate the DH funded Small Community Services Project in Oldham. Over a two and half year period, the project successfully provided support to 45 existing and developing independent services with 5 or fewer full time equivalent workers. The project has now ended; Oldham Council values the diverse market that has been created in the Borough and a part time post has been established to continue the role. In addition, Helen manages the Shared Lives Plus user led project in Oldham, which supports people who use services to deliver micro care and support enterprises themselves.