was helping, used to help
Tom es quien ayudaba a Mary con los deberes.
Tom was the one who helped Mary with her homework.
Decías que te ayudaba a pensar claramente.
You said it helped you think clearly.
— Madre (Madeo) (2009)
Mi hermana ayudaba a mamá a cuidar de mí cuando yo era un bebé.
My sister helped Mom take care of me when I was a baby.
Y el trabajo tampoco me ayudaba en ese sentido.
And work didn't help me in that regard either.
— Una cuestión de tiempo (2013)
Tom es el que ayudaba a Mary con sus deberes.
Tom was the one who helped Mary with her homework.