Helen Rowe is an author, conference and webinar speaker, researcher, lecturer and trainer. 

Thank you for coming to my web page! Here you can find all the details of my book 'Eliminating Poverty in Britain' and the latest on my two training session - How Poverty Affects The Body and Behaviour, and Poverty and Child Development. They are being used in local and central government departments, schools and charities all across the country to support staff working on anti-poverty strategies and on the front line. I have been so inspired by all of them - the care and attention that they know is needed to help others and they do it every day. Have a look around and feel free to get in touch on the contact page. I look forward to meeting you!

Book Awards

Winner: The Page Turner Awards Mentorship Prize (2021) with Book Mentor Karen Williams, Librotas. I would highly recommend having a book mentor if you are a debut author. Karen was brilliant and I remain very grateful for her support and awarding me the prize.

Finalist: The Page Turner Awards Non-Fiction Book of the Year (2024)

Podcasts and Online Events

It is always inspiring to see how many people are focused on dealing with poverty around the UK. Taking part in so many great events alongside them has been fantastic and also an education. See the Media and Events Page for a full list and find out what people think from their testimonials. 

October 2026

Bridgecast - Podcast 14

It was a real privilege to be interviewed by Jess Page, Strategy Director at Bridge Housing Solutions and have an in depth discussion into poverty, the housing sector and the biology of poverty.

"What I really liked about the book is that it's not just about 'giving everyone some money', it's not just about Universal Basic Income. It's saying we have to think holistically about what it is to be a human being." Jess Page

For the full interview, see https://www.bridgehousingsolutions.co.uk/bridgecast/

 

March 2026

Anthropy Conference on Climate Change

The Eden Project, Cornwall

It was such a pleasure to be invited to speak about the links between poverty and climate change at this amazing event, and to hear the incredible work going on around the country to deal with climate change.

Many thanks Jessica Taplin at Charis Grants and Professor Hugh Montgomery at RealZero for inviting me. 

"It's 8.30 in the morning and I'm at the Eden Project and there's no one here. I have it entirely to myself. It used to be an old tin mine, a real dump. What they have done here is amazing."

November 2025

Child Poverty: The State We're In

The Royal Geographical Society, London

It was an absolute pleasure to be back at the RGS, this time with the brilliant and compassionate panellists: Professor Danny Dorling of Oxford University, Alison Garnham, CEO of the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) and Martine Croxall, BBC News Presenter and RGS Fellow.

We had a wide ranging discussion on child poverty in Britain, including population statistics, projections, and the latest scientific and social research on how poverty affects children's bodies and lives. 

"Poverty makes people sick. It's not complicated. So, if people want shorter waiting times on the NHS, we need to deal with poverty".

For the full session, head to: 

https://www.rgs.org/events/talks-on-demand/child-poverty-uk

or you can find more shorts on Youtube channel: @HelenRoweUK

September 2025

Beatwise The Podcast with Dr Sarah Birkhoelzer, NHS Cardiologist

Episode #38: How Poverty Drives Cardiovascular Disease and What We Can Do About it?

We had an in-depth conversation covering a wide range of topics on heart health. It was sobering to hear how much the NHS helps people living in poverty and the deep impact it has on their health.

"I found your book a revelation. It is eye-opening and fascinating. I can recommend it to anybody, whether you're a healthcare professional, policy maker, a patient or you just want to have an interesting read." Dr Birkhoelzer

Click here to listen to the full conversation on Audible or wherever you get your podcasts:

 https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/B0F9V8MLFN?source_code=ASSOR150021221000K

 

Book Reviews 

 

"A really fascinating book. I'm not on commission.. It is worth buying. You read it so fast. It's brilliantly written. I'm so impressed by that."

Martine Croxall, BBC News Presenter at the Royal Geographical Society

 

"If you've ever wondered, like I have, how the government of a wealthy country such as ours, has so badly served its population in terms of mental health provision and the growing index of social ills, from poverty to care of the elderly, Helen Rowe provides a wealth of new ideas to begin to mend us." 

Jo Brand, British Comedian and TV presenter

"Imaginative, Unconventional, Illuminating and Innovative."  Professor Danny Dorling, Oxford University

"A vital and comprehensive study of class inequality that commands your attention from start to finish" Darren McGarvey, Author - Poverty Safari & The Orwell Prize winner (2018)

"Thought-provoking and always engaging"  Daniel Smith, Author - 'Scandal in Dolphin Square'

 

About the book

Eliminating Poverty in Britain is a deep-dive into the effects of poverty on British society, families and individuals, and offers a detailed and realistic plan on how to end it in five years, without raising taxes.

The book draws on scientific analysis and the latest social research from around the world to detail how poverty affects the economy, the green agenda, communities, relationships and a person's mental and physical health - down to their very DNA.

It also considers the expected and unexpected consequences of success, both at home and around the world, and questions what Britons are missing out on while inequality remains.

After the pandemic, Brexit, war, austerity and the global financial crash, the public wants a more positive future. 

The question is: How do we create it?