Project Description
Patrons
We owe so much to our Founding Patrons, Maggie Hunter and Dr Graham Petrie. With support from Save the Children, they ensured the establishment of Centre 33 in 1981 and laid the groundwork for the young person-centred organisation we still are.
Maggie Hunter was appointed as our first Director in 1980 to set up a Young People’s Counselling Service in Cambridge.
Centre 33 opened in May 1981 at 33 Clarendon Street with herself and 15 trained volunteers. By the time she left 10 years later Centre 33 was an independent charity with 3 paid members of staff and 49 volunteers offering a city centre hub and outreach programme across the city.
Maggie is a counsellor, a teacher, and an artist. She’s recently retired and living in Somerset.
Dr Graham Petrie was a retired Psychiatrist and Cambridge GP. His interest in the mental health issues of students led him to re-train as a psychiatrist. He worked at Fulbourn Hospital, specialising in the treatment of adolescents and was instrumental in the founding of Centre 33 in 1981, subsequently working with us as a supervisor and also on the Board of Trustees. Graham died in 2021.
We are indebted to both Maggie and Graham for their firm belief that young people deserved to get support on their own terms.
Maggie had a vision of a place where young people could come and talk over difficulties confidentially with a counsellor without fear of judgement – where young people would be supported in finding their own solutions to difficulties and find out information that would empower them to make good choices.
The Staff
We have over 80 paid staff members who work across the county and are supported by a team of volunteers. See the location pages here for more detail about who works where.
The Young Carers Project team
have a team page here and you can contact youngcarers@centre33.org.uk for all queries including referrals.
The Schools Counselling Service is headed up by Jane Heeney. Email schools@centre33.org.uk
The ‘Someone to Talk To’ team is headed up Helen Baker. Email hello@centre33.org.uk
Click on any team member’s picture to see their biography.
Beth Green
Chief Executive Officer
Carolin Reisert
Clinical Lead
Ellen Roberts
Head of Quality, Data
and Impact
Frances Roberson
Director of Finance and HR
Helen Baker
Service Manager
Jane Heeney
Service Manager
Kate Rees
Director of Services
Meg Platt
Deputy CEO
Michelle Birch
Head of Operations, Projects
and Communications
Amy McInerney
Clinical Lead
and Service Manager
Michelle Birch (Head of Operations, Projects and Communications )
Michelle is responsible for a busy team covering Data Protection, communications, facilities, IT service support. Prior to joining Centre 33 in 2015 Michelle worked in marketing and administration for a diverse range of organisations, including Waterstone’s and the Hayward Gallery. She has been active in the world of disability for some years and been a Trustee for pinpoint (parent/carer forum) and a long time campaigner for social justice.
Meg Platt (Deputy CEO )
Meg is responsible for developing and supporting our teams to deliver
excellent, safe and responsive services to young people while
developing good local relationships with other organisations. Prior to
this role Meg managed the Information and Support Service after
joining us in 2014.
Meg has worked within the voluntary and public sector for 14 years
working as Head of Education at the MS Society and in a range of
roles, supporting young people’s relationships and sexual health. Meg
holds an MSc in Health Promotion, was a Trustee of a sexual health
charity previously and is an experienced train the trainer.
Kate Rees (Director of Services)
Kate is responsible for the development and delivery of a high quality young person led, Young Carers Service. Kate has worked directly with Young Carers since she joining Centre 33 in 2005 and has a comprehensive understanding of the issues they face, the challenges presented, and ways to address them. Kate has worked within the voluntary and public sector for 16 years working in a range of roles, supporting families and young people, looked after young people, and young offenders. Kate holds a BA Joint Hons in Childhood Studies and Professional Practice Studies.
Helen Baker (Service Manager)
Helen joined Centre 33 in 2015 and oversees the running and
development of the service. She also opened three hubs for us as part
of a new expansion.
She has worked in the voluntary sector for 12 years, previously at
Deafblind UK, starting as a PA to a Head of Department (who was
Deafblind) and holding various roles from fundraising, volunteer
co-coordinating and finishing her time there as Service Manager for
England and Northern Ireland.
Frances Roberson, (Director of Finance and HR)
Fran has worked at Centre 33 since 2009 and leads a team responsible for all aspects of finance and budgets and human resources, ensuring we are compliant with current legislation. Previously she was a Finance Director leading a start-up company to a turnover of 1.3million and Finance Manager for a local charity. She carries out consultancy work for local organisations mainly based around improving Finance systems and Quality Management and has a keen interest in supporting in her local community. She is currently involved in supporting the setup of a community youth group.
Ellen Roberts (Head of Quality, Data and Impact )
Ellen oversees and supports the Someone to Talk to team together with Helen Baker, and has specific responsibilities around quality, evaluation and participation. She has worked at Centre 33 in various roles since 2006, and prior to that worked in several charities in the areas of Youth Work, Youth Volunteering and International Development. Ellen has a BA (Hons) in Social Geography, a Level 3 VCQ in Youth Work and a Certificate in Management.
Beth Green (Chief Executive Officer)
Beth joined us in 2016 bringing 20 years of experience working with vulnerable young people in the UK and internationally with organisations such as The Children’s Society and Social Finance. She has overall responsibility for the strategic leadership and management of Centre 33, supporting the Board of Trustees, managing senior roles and engaging all staff and volunteers to continue to deliver excellent, safe, innovative and responsive services to young people. She has led on strategic planning, impact analysis and expanding our funding base. Beth has an MBA from Cranfield School of Management and is a Clore Social Fellow
Carolin Reisert (Clinical Lead)
Carolin joined the Mental Health and Counselling Team at Centre33 in 2015. She is supporting the mental health and counselling team in the different hubs as well as the volunteer counsellors. She has worked for a variety of international charities and has 12 years of experience working for various local charities within the mental health sector. Carolin holds an MA in Psycholinguistics and Psychology and an MEd in Psychotherapeutic Counselling for Children and Adolescents.
Jane Heeney (Senior Project Worker)
Jane supports the ‘Someone to Talk to’ team, leading on housing, money and employment. She joined Centre 33 in 2017, helping to establish the service in both Huntingdon and Peterborough. Jane has over 30 years’ experience in the voluntary sector, both nationally and internationally, including homelessness, mental health, child protection, drug and alcohol, the environment and animal welfare. She has a BSc from Goldsmiths’ College and PGCE from Homerton College, Cambridge.
Amy McInerney (Clinical Lead and Service Manager)
Amy is the service lead and supervisor for the Wellbeing Team who deliver early intervention ‘Guided Self Help’ support to young people experiencing emerging mental health difficulties. In her additional role of Clinical Lead, Amy provides clinical oversight and leadership across our mental health and emotional wellbeing offer. Amy has significant experience of supporting young people across the public, voluntary and private sectors including roles in residential settings, schools, hospitals and community- based settings. She holds a First-Class degree in Youth & Community Work; an MEd in Child and Adolescent Psychotherapeutic Counselling (MBACP) from the University of Cambridge and post graduate qualification in CYP-IAPT (CWP) supervision from the Anna Freud Centre.
The Central team manages the day to day organisation of the charity
Chief Executive Officer, Beth Green – beth@centre33.org.uk
Deputy CEO, Meg Platt – meg@centre33.org.uk
Director of Services, Kate Rees – kate@centre33.org.uk
Head of Development and Partnerships, Harriet Millward- harrietm@centre33.org.uk
Finance and HR Director, Fran Roberson – frances@centre33.org.uk
Head of Operations, Projects and Communications, Michelle Birch – michelle@centre33.org.uk
Head of Quality, Impact and Data, Ellen Roberts- ellen@centre33.org.uk
Specialist roles:
Nard Choi- Data and Insights Manager
Sarah Bell- Data and Insights Senior Officer
Stacey Howes – HR Manager
Chloe White – HR Officer
Emma Halse – Communications & Digital Co-ordinator
Lindsy Campbell – Finance Manager
Alex Harris – Facilities & Business Officer
Ceri MacKay-Smith – Research & Impact Analyst
Nancy Hogg- Fundraising Officer
Victoria Read – Development and Partnerships Lead
Central & Service Support team:
Judith Stone
Jackie O’Kane
Harriet Collins
Kristi Wood
Jo Saunders
Sian Pillow
Katie Ronnay
Alyson Sawers
Kristine Cimals
Max Halse
Shivonne Kama
Jackie Smith
Enya Stubbs
Trustees
Click on an image to see their full biography
Sarah Ferguson
Claire Evans
Susan Mitchell
Emma Kamel
Peter Clarke
Philip Windred
Sandra Rehm
Harry Wade
Susan Imrie
Susanne Owers
Karen Robson
Laura Brookes
Sarah Ferguson
Centre 33 has been a part of my life for 32 years. I started as a volunteer information worker not long after leaving university, and have stayed in touch in one way or another ever since. My career in community, children and young peoples services in and around Cambridgeshire has been mainly based in local government. I have lots of experience in leading and developing a wide range of young peoples services, and expertise in strategic partnership engagement across the public sector.
Peter Clarke
I have worked in another local charity for 30 years - currently as Chief Executive. So I have experience on both sides of the table. I work directly with young people. I am a qualified social worker and have a research background.
Sandra Rehm
Before working for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust empowering disadvantaged people return to work / retain work, I worked as an independent advocate for people with a learning disability or health condition getting their voices heard and rights protected. I have a strong interest in ensuring the wishes of vulnerable people remain at the centre of their support. As a parent I value the work and ethos of Centre 33, and as a Trustee, hope to ensure the excellent work continues.
Harry Wade
I joined Centre 33 as a Trustee in 2024. I have worked in the charity sector for 12 years in fundraising, programme delivery, team leadership and stakeholder management. Currently I am Deputy CEO at DHL UK Foundation and support young people from disadvantaged communities to realise their potential.
Suan Mitchell
I have over 20 years of experience in the health and charity sectors, Predominantly working within health policy influencing. As the mother of two teenagers I know how important it is for young people to have access to the Centre 33 services.
Pat Carrington
I am the Executive Principal at City College Peterborough and have worked in the post 16 education sector for the past 20 years, prior to that I worked in business. My passion is in post-16 and adult education and the idea of lifelong learning, especially in providing a second chance for those, that for whatever reason, have not succeeded in the school system. Working with young people, some of which can sit of the margins of education, I fully understand and appreciate the service that Centre 33 offers to the young people of our City and the county and I am honoured to be a trustee of this amazing organisation.
Philip Windred
I joined the satellite industry as a systems engineer and gradually migrated from engineering to business strategy with spells in the Telecomms and Aircraft industries and nearly 20 years in the satellite industry. 3 years ago, I left the corporate world to become a business Angel, supporting technology start-ups. I have 3 children aged 16 to 22 and have recently gained 3 more, aged 12 to 18, with my new partner. Prior to joining Centre 33, I was a school governor for 6 years.
Emma Snow
I have a finance, commercial and strategic skillset, and love to use this to support non-profits alongside my day job (currently Naked Wines UK). I have lived and worked in Ghana and Palestine supporting small non-profits to develop strategic plans. I am a Chartered Accountant and have been a Trustee/Treasurer for Carers Network in London. In my spare time, I like to climb and cycle.
Susan Imrie
I am a researcher and lecturer in psychology, working in the field of child development and specialising in research with modern families. Before joining the board of trustees, I was a volunteer counsellor at Centre 33 for over seven years.
Susanne Owers
I have worked in the non-profit sector for over 20 years, in senior fundraising and management positions. Currently working as Director of Fundraising for SOS Children's Villages UK, I specialise in strategy and relationships with grant makers, supporters and corporate partners. From experience I know how important it is for young people in the region to have access to Centre 33 services.
Claire Evans
I am a HR professional with many years of experience in senior HR roles and have also spent time in Sales and Customer Services management. I have worked in a variety of industries in the commercial sector in New Zealand, Australia and the UK. I am passionate about supporting young people so am delighted to use my experience to support Centre 33. I have a 22 year old son and in my spare time enjoy keeping fit with cycling, walking and running.
Karen Robson
I have spent over 30 years as a senior Marketing Leader across both client and agency businesses, and have a strong track record in the strategic planning and implementation of Brand and Performance Marketing. Committed to helping others achieve their potential, I undertook ICF training to qualify as an Executive Coach and I am now in my final year as a student of a Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling.
Board of Trustees
Centre 33 is governed by a voluntary board of Trustees. Our current board is comprised of:
Peter Clarke
Emma Kamel (Treasurer)
Susan Imrie
Philip Windred (Chair)
Susanne Owers
Claire Evans
Sarah Ferguson (Deputy Chair)
Karen Robson
Harry Wade
Laura Brookes
Sandra Rehm
Susan Mitchell
Volunteers
Our volunteer base is absolutely critical to Centre 33. We have a large and committed team of volunteers doing everything from answering the phone to providing counselling to attending trips with young carers and fixing broken locks!
