Helen Richards has always been drawn to meaningful work. She joined the Royal Navy at 17, later serving in the police force, but it was during these roles that she noticed something missing, no one was paying attention to well-being.

She started by offering five-minute massages to colleagues at their desks, and the impact was immediate. Realising the power of hands-on relaxation, she trained professionally and launched The Little Calm Company, which has since supported over 320 organisations with massage, well-being workshops, and holistic therapies.

Helen’s passion for helping others feel better grew even stronger through her own personal challenges. After navigating life-changing events, she saw firsthand the importance of accessible, practical well-being support especially for those in high-pressure or vulnerable situations. This led to the creation of Operation Calm, a Community Interest Company (CIC)

Through pop-up well-being hubs, holistic therapies, and mental well-being initiatives, Operation Calm creates safe, restorative spaces for those who need it most. Helen believes that everyone deserves time to destress and recharge, and with Operation Calm, she’s on a mission to make well-being accessible to all.

With 20 years in high-pressure corporate roles, Trevor understands the importance of mental and physical health in maintaining performance. His experience in wellness coaching has enabled him to develop sustainable strategies for managing stress. Together, he and Helen created Operation Calm to bridge the gap between well-being services and those most in need.