Helen White

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Helen joined Community Roots as a volunteer after many years away from paid employment while caring for her sons.

 

With previous experience as a support cook in a commercial kitchen, she began volunteering within Community Roots’ food and community work and, with mentoring and opportunities to develop her skills, gradually took on increasing responsibility.

 

Helen now oversees Gloucester Park Community Café, including much of its day-to-day operation and the support and management of volunteers. She is also involved in Community Roots’ wider food and enterprise activity, including community meals, catering, Social Source and Gloucester Soup. In 2026 Helen became a director of Community Roots.

 

Her progression from volunteer to leadership illustrates an important part of the Community Roots approach: creating opportunities for people to contribute, learn, build confidence, take responsibility and shape what happens next.