About us
HELP was founded in 2002 by Jim Coleman, whose long-standing connection with the Himalayas inspired the organisation’s work. Since its beginnings, HELP has remained a volunteer-led charity. We are all volunteers, so the money we receive goes towards our charitable activities, not salaries.
A renewed board for a new chapter
At the 2025 Annual General Meeting, Himalayan Education Lifeline Programme (HELP) confirmed a refreshed board and a change in leadership, reflecting a shared intention to bring renewed energy and momentum to the organisation.
During the AGM, two new directors were elected: Bart Jan Hermans, and Jolene Raison, and following the AGM Jolene Raison was appointed Chair of Trustees, succeeding Simon Forwood, who continues on the board as Treasurer. These changes were discussed and unanimously approved by the board.
The board is an international one, with directors based across Europe, Australia, Africa, and North America, reflecting the global community that supports HELP’s work.
HELP remains committed to its long-standing mission: supporting education in remote Himalayan communities through respectful, volunteer-led partnerships. The current board brings together continuity, experience, and new perspectives to guide the organisation into its next phase.
Jolene Raison
Chair of Trustees
Jolene Raison is a linguist, educator, and writer based in Pretoria, South Africa. She is a Lecturer in Linguistics at the University of South Africa (UNISA) and a PhD candidate specialising in cognitive linguistics, translanguaging, and educational equity.
Her professional background spans higher education teaching, academic research, teacher training, and educational content development. Earlier in her career, Jolene worked in advertising, journalism, and copywriting — experience that now strongly informs her interest in HELP’s communications, engagement, and outreach.
Jolene was drawn to HELP through its ethical, community-centred approach to volunteering and its focus on long-term relationships rather than short-term interventions. As Chair of Trustees, she is focused on strengthening HELP’s visibility, supporting volunteer engagement, and helping guide the organisation forward with clarity, care, and renewed purpose.
Barbara Porter
Director, Volunteer Programme
Barbara Porter has been closely involved with HELP for two decades and has had a long career in education. She began as a schoolteacher in England, later working as an EFL teacher in Greece, and subsequently in community and peace-building roles in Scotland. Since the late 1990s until her retirement in 2016, she worked at the University of Edinburgh, supporting programmes for international students.
Barbara first joined HELP as a volunteer teacher in India in 2005 — an experience that led to her long-term commitment to the organisation. She joined the Board in 2006 and has played a central role in developing and administering HELP’s volunteer programme since 2014.
Barbara has supported partner schools, mentored volunteers, led teacher-training workshops, and undertaken regular school visits across India and Ladakh, acting as one of HELP’s most experienced and trusted links on the ground. Her depth of institutional knowledge, educational expertise, and continuity remains invaluable as HELP evolves.
Simon Forwood
Director and Treasurer
Simon Forwood was HELP’s first volunteer in the early 2000s and spent several happy years living and working in India and Nepal, maintaining a close connection with HELP throughout that time and beyond. He served as Chair in recent years during a quieter period for the organisation, helping to keep HELP operating and supported through a time of limited activity.
At the 2025 AGM, Simon stepped down from the Chair role and was appointed Treasurer, continuing his hands-on involvement with HELP’s financial stewardship and governance. He also supports the organisation’s digital presence and website administration.
Simon brings long experience in governance, systems, and technology, alongside a deep personal connection to HELP’s mission and history. He remains fully committed to HELP’s mission and ongoing work as the organisation moves forward under new leadership.
Bart Jan Hermans
Director
Bart Jan Hermans is a legal professional based in the Netherlands and has been involved with HELP since 2016. He first volunteered with HELP between graduating from law school and beginning his legal career, and has since returned to the organisation multiple times in both volunteer and advisory capacities.
Bart has supported HELP through fundraising, strategic thinking, and ongoing engagement with partner schools. His experience includes several extended stays in India, giving him first-hand insight into HELP’s work and the realities faced by partner communities.
As a Director, Bart brings a thoughtful, analytical perspective, a strong sense of social responsibility, and a long-term commitment to HELP’s mission.
Jim Coleman
Founder and Director (Advisory)
As a young man, Jim spent two years as a UNA volunteer in Kathmandu, based in the UNDP office, and has made many visits to the Himalayas since then.
Since his subsequent career was in education, both as a teacher, and as an education manager with the British Council, he decided, as he approached retirement, that the way in which he could best make a contribution to the people of the Himalayas, who mean so much to him, was by establishing an organisation that would channel resources, both human and financial, directly to schools and orphanages.
At the end of 2022 Jim handed over HELP leadership to Simon Forwood and Barbara Porter, but remains on in an advisory and support capacity.
Ben Coleman
Director (Advisory)
Ben Coleman has been involved with HELP for many years and has made a significant behind-the-scenes contribution to its development and continuity. He created and managed the HELP website in its current form, as well as earlier versions, helping to shape how HELP presents its work and values to volunteers and supporters.
Ben also managed HELP’s sponsorship programme for several years, overseeing its administration until the programme was discontinued in 2022. His work during this period provided vital operational support to the organisation and to the many school students who were supported through this initiative.
Like Jim Coleman, Ben continues to support HELP in an advisory capacity, offering experience, perspective, and practical insight drawn from his long-standing involvement with the organisation.
Master of the Moon
Jim has written a novel called ‘Master of the Moon’ drawing on his experiences as a UN volunteer in Kathmandu during its hippy heyday at the end of the 60s. Mixing autobiography, travelogue, philosophy, and fiction, Master of the Moon has something for everyone, particularly for those of you thinking of visiting the Himalayas as tourists or volunteers, who want to know more about the cultures and religions of the region.
Just go to Amazon UK or Amazon US.
Happy reading! And it would be very helpful if you could write a review of the novel on Amazon to attract a wider audience.
