Would you like to join our Board as an Independent Trustee?
About the Minster Centre
The Minster Centre is a registered charity that provides training in psychotherapy and counselling and an affordable therapy service.
It was founded in 1978 as the first Integrative psychotherapy and counselling training in the UK and is one of the leading training institutions in Europe. Now based in Queens Park, NW London, it runs training ranging from open access introductory courses to post-graduate degrees validated by Middlesex University. The Minster Centre caters for around 300 diploma and MA students each year. It’s training approach is Integrative and Relational.
The Minster Centre Psychotherapy and Counselling Services (MCPCS) also provides a safe, affordable and professional counselling service to people over the age of 18 who are experiencing a range of difficulties. The service is provided by senior trainees who are in the process of completing their therapy training.
The Trustee role
The Board of Trustees provides strategic leadership and oversight for the Centre as it seeks to fulfil its charitable objects, ensuring it operates in accordance with its governing document and meets its legal and regulatory requirements.
The Board of Trustees meets six times a year (January, April, June, July (full day), September and November) and are online aside from the full day meeting which is normally in person. Additional work on specialist working groups or committees is also undertaken, depending on Trustees’ personal interests, experience and availability. Trustees normally serve for a term of three years in the first instance but can stand for re-election up to a maximum of nine years.
Under the provisions of our governing document the Board can consist of a minimum of 7 trustees and a maximum of 14. The Board is made up of:
- Up to 11 independent Trustees (elected by Minster Centre Members (alumni and psychotherapists who maintain their UKCP registration through the Centre)
- a member of staff elected by the staff
- a student, on a course at The Minster Centre extending over more than one year, elected by students attending a course extending over more than one year
- the Director
A list of current members of the Board of Trustees can be found on our website.
Qualities needed
The Minster Centre is seeking up to seven Independent Trustees who are enthusiastic about our work and values, who understand the distinction between management and governance and can operate as an effective trustee across the range of subject matters that will be considered by the Board. You do not need to be a psychotherapist or counsellor or to have trained at the Minster Centre. We welcome applications from individuals are who are new to charity trusteeship. Independent Trustees can not be current students or staff of the Minster Centre.
The Centre has a strong commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. Trustees will be expected to share this commitment, and the Board would like this to be more fully represented in its composition. We would particularly welcome applications from people from global majority communities, the LGBTQI+ community, care leavers, people with disabilities and people from other underrepresented groups in the profession. The Board has also identified that Trustees who can bring the following skills and experience would enhance the Board:
- Someone willing to serve as Treasurer who has accountancy, audit and/or Charity Governance expertise.
- Fundraising
- Commercial property (leases and acquisition)
- Accountancy
- Legal knowledge, particularly relating to property, commercial and employment
- Business development, entrepreneurial background
- Equality, diversity and inclusion in psychotherapy and counselling and Higher Education
- Practising psychotherapists or counsellors
This does not rule out nominations from people with other skills to offer.
Our full Trustee Pack is linked below and provides further information for applicants.
The application process
To apply, please submit your CV and a statement outlining why you wish to be a Trustee and your suitability for the role (maximum two sides of A4). Please submit your documents to the HR & Governance Manager, Afua Pierre by email on [email protected]
Closing date: Friday 11th April 2025
Interviews: Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed (remotely in the first instance) by the Chair and another member of the Board. The appointment will be made subject to two satisfactory references and confirmation from the whole Board.
Start of appointment: May 2025
Trustees will need to declare any conflicts of interest and not be disqualified from serving as a charity trustee. Reasons for disqualification include being bankrupt or having an individual voluntary arrangement (IVA), having an unspent conviction for certain offences (including any that involve dishonesty or deception), and being on the sex offenders’ register. For further information see here
