Let’s talk
Call +44 (0) 7974 502847 or email hello@affinitypr.co.uk
My story & credentials
Hello, I’m Helen Oldfield, founder of Affinity PR & Affinity PR Coaching.
I’m looking forward to working with you.
Lots of people ask me “how to” things about their own PR ideas and want to “pick my PR brain”. How great that we can work together, either by you hiring me to do your PR for you, or by working one-to-one with me in PR Coaching sessions so you can learn how to do it yourself. I look forward to applying my energy and knowledge to your projects.
My PR and coaching credentials
You can tap into my 30+ years of communications expertise, gained across arts and culture, travel and place making, hospitality, charities and public service. I’ve run an agency and in-house press offices, worked as an outsourced contractor, in Interim and senior leadership team roles. Now I’m also empowering others to plan and deliver their own PR effectively.
I hold qualifications in Business and Finance with Visual Communication (which includes Marketing and Graphic Design), Management and Leadership, Advice and Information giving, Group Facilitation and Adult Learning. In addition I have CPD certifications in Mental Health Awareness, Unconscious Bias, and Safeguarding. Plus, decades of work experience in roles involving creativity, events management, business development and fundraising, community outreach/engagement, training and mentoring.
My PR career began in the press offices of theatre companies in Tyneside and progressed to the world’s largest international arts festival in Edinburgh, where I learned how to build solid relationships with journalists and media influencers.
In the early 90s, a relocation to London saw me diversifying into leadership roles in national charities that focused on health and wellbeing support for women, people with disabilities, cancer patients and oncology professionals. In 2001 I returned to Suffolk and freelanced as a UK-wide training consultant and charity project manager, before becoming CEO of a Citizens Advice community law service, where I was tasked with digital transformation and future-proofing its funding.
Returning to a commercial PR agency setting in 2006, I went on to launch Affinity PR in 2008. Nowadays, I serve many clients who work in arts and culture, live events and festivals, along with lots of start-ups, family businesses, not-for-profits and CICs. You can read testimonials from some of them here.
In 2012 I was awarded Visiting Fellow status by University of Suffolk, where I am part of its Suffolk Centre for Culture and Heritage.
Trading ethically and being an active part of my community are core values, and I felt proud when Affinity PR won the UK Trading for Good Responsible Business Award in 2014.
I’ve enjoyed doing pro-bono PR work for the excellent Suffolk charity Rural Coffee Caravan since 2003.
Lots of people ask me “how to” things about their own PR ideas and want to “pick my PR brain”. How great that we can work together, either by you hiring me to do your PR for you, or by working one-to-one with me in PR Coaching sessions so you can learn how to do it yourself. I look forward to applying my energy and knowledge to your projects.
My PR and coaching credentials
You can tap into my 30+ years of communications expertise, gained across arts and culture, travel and place making, hospitality, charities and public service. I’ve run an agency and in-house press offices, worked as an outsourced contractor, in Interim and senior leadership team roles. Now I’m also empowering others to plan and deliver their own PR effectively.
I hold qualifications in Business and Finance with Visual Communication (which includes Marketing and Graphic Design), Management and Leadership, Advice and Information giving, Group Facilitation and Adult Learning. In addition I have CPD certifications in Mental Health Awareness, Unconscious Bias, and Safeguarding. Plus, decades of work experience in roles involving creativity, events management, business development and fundraising, community outreach/engagement, training and mentoring.
My PR career began in the press offices of theatre companies in Tyneside and progressed to the world’s largest international arts festival in Edinburgh, where I learned how to build solid relationships with journalists and media influencers.
In the early 90s, a relocation to London saw me diversifying into leadership roles in national charities that focused on health and wellbeing support for women, people with disabilities, cancer patients and oncology professionals. In 2001 I returned to Suffolk and freelanced as a UK-wide training consultant and charity project manager, before becoming CEO of a Citizens Advice community law service, where I was tasked with digital transformation and future-proofing its funding.
Returning to a commercial PR agency setting in 2006, I went on to launch Affinity PR in 2008. Nowadays, I serve many clients who work in arts and culture, live events and festivals, along with lots of start-ups, family businesses, not-for-profits and CICs. You can read testimonials from some of them here.
In 2012 I was awarded Visiting Fellow status by University of Suffolk, where I am part of its Suffolk Centre for Culture and Heritage.
Trading ethically and being an active part of my community are core values, and I felt proud when Affinity PR won the UK Trading for Good Responsible Business Award in 2014.
I’ve enjoyed doing pro-bono PR work for the excellent Suffolk charity Rural Coffee Caravan since 2003.
What to expect from your Affinity PR Coaching session.
Why I do this work
Every role I have thrived in has ultimately been about community connecting and empowering people to tell their stories while being in control of their own narrative. Affinity PR and Affinity PR Coaching are extensions of that.
My clients want to be active in their communities and to live and breathe their brand values. They like to do the right thing even when no one is watching because they understand how having satisfied stakeholders helps them to achieve their goals quicker.
Meeting so many different people who are doing all kinds of roles is fascinating for me. In particular, I take a keen interest in other neurodivergent people, unconventional thinkers and creative problem-solvers.
Through sharing my knowledge of national media, communications, brand building and reputation management, I’m glad I can make a difference by supporting you with your work.
Why I do this work
Every role I have thrived in has ultimately been about community connecting and empowering people to tell their stories while being in control of their own narrative. Affinity PR and Affinity PR Coaching are extensions of that.
My clients want to be active in their communities and to live and breathe their brand values. They like to do the right thing even when no one is watching because they understand how having satisfied stakeholders helps them to achieve their goals quicker.
Meeting so many different people who are doing all kinds of roles is fascinating for me. In particular, I take a keen interest in other neurodivergent people, unconventional thinkers and creative problem-solvers.
Through sharing my knowledge of national media, communications, brand building and reputation management, I’m glad I can make a difference by supporting you with your work.