​In the Michaelmas term of 2013 Helen went out as a volunteer to the Ballanta Academy of Music in Freetown, Sierra Leone. The charity that supports Ballanta asked Helen to act as a teaching and learning adviser, working alongside staff to help them improve the quality of their teaching. In a busy and varied schedule Helen taught violin 'from scratch' to staff members, so that they would be able to introduce violin teaching to Ballanta. She gave singing lessons, trained their choir, and organised recitals; she also taught ballet, and offered personal coaching to one student who went on to win a talent competition.  

After leaving Sierra Leone Helen volunteered in Sangkhlaburi, Thailand, teaching in a child care centre and helping with building renovation work. She also spent time in Ecuador, initially working in Quito as an assistant in a childcare centre and a disabled young person’s centre, and subsequently volunteering in the Amazon and the Galapagos Islands as a conservation project worker. 
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Helen has continued to pursue her interest in outreach, most recently with The Bach Choir, performing in the Mr Lear - Nonsense and Rhyme Concert at St John's Smith Square, and taking part in the Aurora Orchestra's 'Seven Seeds' outreach project in collaboration with the tri-borough music hub, premiering John Barber's new work at the Royal Albert Hall.