CEO MONTHLY / Chairperson Awards 2022 20 Organising & Decluttering Business Leader of the Year 2022 (Southern England): Helena McBride Our clutter can overwhelm us, but Helena McBride is here to hear. Since 2017, she has been The Space Maker, helping people to realise which of their possessions really matter. In CEO Monthly’s Chairperson of the Year 2022 Awards, Helena was recognised for her remarkable achievements. We delve deeper to uncover how she did it. ive years ago, Helena McBride was approached by friends with a problem. They needed help, and fast. With offices, garages and wardrobes overflowing, they needed someone who could help them to stay on top of things in an increasingly busy world. As a natural organiser, she quickly helped them get to grips with things. And then she considered that they might not be the only people who need help. The Space Maker has been a major success, only increasing in popularity over the years. When we collect a lot of stuff over time, it can be overwhelming to get it organised and to get rid of the excess. Helena was delighted to tell us more. “My philosophy is that you can have a lot of stuff as long as it is well organised and accessible,” she says. “Together we sort through their belongings, work out what they have and sort and store those items that they either love, has a practical use or to which they have an emotional attachment. Everything else can be donated, re-used, recycled or if it’s beyond hope, binned.” This collaborative process puts the client right at the heart of the business, with each situation treated with deliberate care and attention. “I work with clients, male and female, from all walks of life,” Helena explains. “Recently, I have been working more and more with clients who have various mental health issues including ADHD, Autism and Bi-Polar Disorder. Too much clutter can affect our anxiety levels, sleep and ability to focus, making us less productive.” Working with such a range of clients means being able to judge the best way to be productive whilst knowing when to step back and acknowledge a change. Often, the work that Helena is doing unearths old memories for her clients. Her success comes from her knowing the value of belongings and helping people to decide what value they will hold over them. As a Professional Organiser (PO), clients can rest easy knowing she has been professionally trained, has insurance and works to a unique code of ethics from within the industry. Helena herself has continued to develop her awareness of various needs, completing additional training in Hoarding Awareness and Advanced Hoarding Awareness, Understanding ADHD, Understanding Bi-Polar Disorder. She is currently studying for a Level 2 certificate in counselling to better serve and understand her clients. Whilst Helena might seem like the lone ranger, working tirelessly to set things right and tidy, she has a host of colleagues who she can turn to who all work independently. We asked Helena what shape this outside help might take. ‘As a fully registered and insured member of the Association of Professional Declutterers and Organisers, I have a host of colleagues I can turn to for support, for example, I have a client who is profoundly deaf so I thought it much more prudent to bring in a colleague who is a qualified BSL (British Sign Language) interpreter,” she explains. “As much as I don’t want to turn work away, I also want to make sure the client has the Sep22278 F best experience possible for their own particular needs.” Looking ahead, it seems like The Space Maker is going to continue its trailblazing path of success, with Helena firmlyat the helm. In the future, she’d love to continue her successful mentoring of others. In the meantime, it seems there is much to celebrate about Helena and her incredible leadership of The Space Maker. We can’t wait to see what she does next. Company: The Space Maker Name: Helena McBride Email: helena@ thespacemaker.co.uk Web Address: www.thespacemaker.co.uk
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTUyMDQwMA==