Helen Brown has over 25 years’ experience in social policy, mental health, and
international development across the public, third, and global sectors. Most recently
she has served as a Mental Health Consultant for a Scottish Government funded
initiative ’Think Positive’ supporting student mental health across Scottish colleges
and universities. Under her leadership, the project won the Outstanding Impact in
Education award at the 2025 Mental Health and Wellbeing Scotland Awards.

Helen’s career encompasses a range of senior leadership roles, including Chief
Executive Officer of Visualise Scotland, a charity supporting housing and day
services for adults with disabilities and Head of Volunteering at The Prince’s Trust,
where she developed mentoring programmes for care experienced young people.
She has also held leadership positions with the British Red Cross, grassroots
advocacy charity Lewisham Speaking Up and various international NGOs. Helen has
a longstanding interest in the implementation of the UNCRPD, having engaged in its
early development in Brussels.

Helen’s personal and professional commitment to social justice is informed by her
lived experience of growing up with a brother who has learning disabilities and
autism and was involuntarily admitted under the Mental Health Act due to a crisis
arising from inadequate access to services and support. These experiences inspired
her to train as a social worker, focusing on prevention and early intervention in
mental health.

Registered with the Scottish Social Services Council, Helen holds a Master of
Science in Social Policy and Social Work (MSc) and a Postgraduate Diploma in
Social Work (DipSW). She currently serves on the board of the Patient Advocacy
Service and the National Advocacy Service Ireland, and previously as Chair of
Trustees for ArtSquat, Chair of Lewisham Speaking Up (a disability advocacy
organisation) and Trustee for Trust, a project supporting vulnerable women.