Helen Oldfield

Helen Oldfield is a Communications and Media Consultant who only opened her own creative company, Affinity PR, when she was well into her 40’s. Her CV is also unconventional, with a middle decade of charity jobs sandwiched between two decades of PR and communications.

Born in Sheffield and raised in Suffolk, Helen gained an HND in Business and Finance with Graphic Design from Newcastle Poly (now Northumbria University). Her PR and communications career began with course-related internships at the Tyne Theatre Company and Northern Stage Company, followed by Edinburgh International Festival.

In Tyneside in the 80’s she gained a keen interest in access to law and social justice campaigning that led to later employment at Royal National Institute for Blind People, Cancerlink, Macmillan Cancer Support, and as CEO of a Citizens Advice service.

Becoming a self-employed PR in 2008, Helen’s focus was primarily on luxury travel, tourism and hospitality for almost ten years. Then a reckless creative epiphany happened while working at a residential writer’s retreat. She decided to refocus Affinity PR on arts and culture, social justice and not for profits. After the pandemic, she also went on to become a PR Coach so she could knowledge share and work with individuals in an affordable way. In 2024 Helen became an arts Producer too and produced eight shows at the international disability arts festival DaDaFest in Liverpool.

As a PR Helen has served Brighton Fringe, SPILL Festival, King’s Lynn Festival, Primadonna Festival, DanceEast, Dizzy Press, Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance, New Wolsey Theatre, Furtherfield, HamiltonMAS, Colchester First Thursdays Festival, MediaXchange, The Art Station, Harriet Adie Harpist, Contemporary Visual Artist Zoe Partington, Olivier Award winning choreographer Julia Cheng, Fine Art Photographer Shelley Nott, Life Arts Mind Body Spirit Festival, Freedom from Torture, Norfolk Community Advice Network, Norfolk Community Law Service, and Lighthouse Women’s Aid.

When she isn’t working, you will most likely find her in a quiet corner of a good library or indie bookstore. Or she’ll be volunteering at an arts or books festival. Generally, more at home backstage rather than under the spotlight, nevertheless she is an enthusiastic member of a local soul and gospel choir and loves the Northern Soul scene.

Helen was a joint recipient of The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2019, for Outstanding Service to the Community in recognition of her voluntary PR service to Rural Coffee Caravan charity since its launch in 2003. Affinity PR was awarded the Trading for Good Responsible Business Award in 2014.

Affinity PR Consultancy