Board members and chair jobs

About the Minster Centre

The Minster Centre is a registered charity and company limited by guarantee 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 a leading psychotherapy training institution. 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 is registered with the Office for Students.

The Minster Centre Psychotherapy & Counselling Service (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 Centre has an annual turnover of £1.8 million and over 80 staff, most of whom are part-time. For further information about the Centre please visit the Minster Centre website

Role purpose

The Minster Centre is seeking to develop and further professionalise its operations and is recruiting to a new Head of Finance role. This is a part-time, flexible role for two days per week in the first instance. Some time in the office will be needed to work alongside other staff and key stakeholders – this can be managed flexibly alongside working from home. The role would therefore suit someone who wants to balance an interesting and senior role alongside other responsibilities or interests.

The Head of Finance will oversee the financial operations of the charity, owning and ensuring compliance to financial policies and procedures. You will provide strategic financial guidance to the Management Committee and contribute to the delivery of the charity’s financial strategies.

Early priorities will be:

• A review of existing financial policies and procedures to support the ongoing effective running of the charity.
• Working with the Lead team to ensure the charity’s finances are sustainable long-term

A full job description and person specification is available in the Recruitment Pack at the bottom of this page.

Terms and conditions

Salary: Pro rata, £55,000 FTE

Hours: 14 hours per week in the first instance, hybrid working. Exact hours open to negotiation. Some flexibility will be required to attend key meetings.

Contract: Fixed term appointment to end July 2028, in the first instance.

Holidays: 33 days including bank holidays, pro rata

Key working relationships: Management Committee (4 staff who collectively lead the organisation). This post will report to that Team and be line managed by one of them), Finance Administrator, HR and Governance Manager, Quality Manager and Registrar.

How to apply

Please apply using the application forms with a covering email to Afua Pierre by 12 noon on Thursday 17th July, however we reserve the right to close the recruitment process once we have received sufficient high quality applications.

For further information please contact the Director, Lissie Wright by email to arrange an informal conversation.

We particularly welcome applications from people from underrepresented groups, including people from global majority communities, the LGBTQIA+ community, care leavers, people with disabilities and people from other minorities.

Are you looking to join a team that values people and partnerships and is dedicated to creating transformational experiences for our community?

Would you like to work for an organisation that values growth, with the opportunity to learn, develop, and grow in a collaborative and supportive culture?

If so, we have the perfect opportunity for you.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for someone with great interpersonal skills and an advice background for the role of Advice and Advocacy Officer with Spring Community Hub.

The project aims to identify those in Welfare, Health, Wellbeing, Employment, housing, and/or food crisis who have had unresolved issues over a prolonged period and provide support for them to overcome the immediate crisis and work towards longer-term stability

The Advice and Advocacy Officer will provide holistic advice and advocacy to guests, supporting them on issues such as debt, welfare, housing, employment, and business support, in a trauma-informed and empowering way.

The postholder will be a key part of growing the Hub’s  Advice and Advocacy/ Pastoral / Wrap-around services, working as a team with our partners, providing support to guests and volunteers.

• Working with a Caseload of Guests on a 1-1 and group basis and providing support via multiple channels, including Telephone, Email, In Person, virtually, and other project locations, develop action/support plans

• Working with a caseload of guests to provide support/signpost

•  Facilitate group workshops, Coffee Mornings, and information sessions

• Provide Information, advice, guidance, and resilience

• Support for people facing hardship.

• Providing Support, Supervision, mentoring, and guidance to Volunteers in our Advice and Advocacy / Pastoral Teams

• Attend meetings/ events/Training/networking opportunities and  undertake outreach to promote the work of Spring Community Hub 

The post holder will be required to be flexible to the changing needs of the organisation and, as such, undertake tasks and responsibilities not specifically listed here but relevant to the smooth running of SCH, including general office and administrative tasks and aspects of service delivery, as directed by the CEO and Trustees.

We’re committed to building a diverse workforce and welcome applications from all sections of society. If this opportunity excites you and if you believe you possess the skills and experience we need, we look forward to hearing from you.

• Facilitate workshops ( Job Club/ Community Cafe/ Coffee Morning/ Information sessions  ) and Group Sessions - in person/ virtually 

• Support guests in the Centre and virtually, and undertake initial Assessments and follow-up Calls

• Represent Spring Community Hubs Service and project at relevant forums and meetings at a  local level

• Collate monitoring data from all project streams, providing regular updates to the Head of Compliance / Development 

• Contribute to providing information for funders and monitoring reports to the Head of Compliance and Development 

• Assist in the induction/ onboarding and support of volunteers 

• Assist in and facilitate Team Training Sessions, Workshops, Presentations, and Project meetings, and produce progress reports, papers, agendas, and minutes in line with direction from the Head of Compliance and Development 

• Develop and contribute to the creation, maintenance, improvement, and expansion of our range of debt, immigration, and welfare benefits information resources

• Contributing to building testimonials /case studies and impact measurement, and monitoring 

• Lead/ Support the team  with the design and development of resources for the benefit of all users of the debt and welfare benefits system, and help drive forward our safeguarding and co-production culture

• To work with the Head of Compliance and Development to ensure the quality of the support given by the team/volunteers through assisting  with case reviews, training, and development

• Research, analyse, and interpret relevant policies, legislation, and programmes related to the sector with the support of the Head of Compliance and Development 

• Work with the Head of Compliance and Development to proactively identify gaps in information provision across our programmes and implement solutions. 

• Working closely with the Head of Compliance and Development, Leadership / Service and Operations Team/  wider service and partners to ensure guests are supported.

Person Specification

• Experience delivering advice & Advocacy/ Wrap around care  in at least one relevant area,/Relevant qualifications for the post 

•  Understanding of trauma-informed and inclusive practice

•  Experience with group facilitation (desirable)

• Commitment to empowerment and diversity

• Willingness to undertake further training, including Information Advice and Guidance L2/L4 or as relevant to the role

• Experience in working with individuals who are experiencing significant poverty and may also have multiple and complex needs. You will have the ability to communicate effectively with a wide variety of people.

• Experience in/willingness to learn the use of  databases for the recording, processing of advice given, and reviewing the quality of team records/ usage 

• Experience in establishing and maintaining good working relationships with external stakeholders

• IT Literate / Proficient in Microsoft/Google Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Slack, and experience with project management software / Communication tools (e.g., Zoho, Trello) is a plus.

• Time-management skills, with the ability to work successfully both alone and as part of a team

• Ability to communicate effectively (oral and written) with a wide variety of people at all levels, including statutory, voluntary, and other colleagues 

• Ability to organise and prioritise own work, especially when under pressure

• Ability to work accurately and confidently with figures (statistics) and with attention to detail

• Commitment to the concept of continuous improvement of procedures and practices

• Ability to remain calm in challenging situations and reinforce boundaries

• Ability to support people in managing difficult feelings, and communicate their needs effectively

• Knowledge of best practice for lone working, data protection, and safeguarding adults

• Ability to recognise and work within the boundaries of the role, including confidentiality, and the working protocols between agencies

• Strong sense of self, and ability to set and maintain boundaries, and lead by example 

• Ability to communicate effectively in person on a one-to-one basis and with groups, as well as over the telephone and in writing

• Excellent listening skills

• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and others.

• Willingness to work outside normal working hours, as and when required.

• Understanding of the needs of disadvantaged, disaffected, and vulnerable people, and the ability to work with them in a positive way

• A clear commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion, and confidentiality

• Professional and positive approach, with a commitment to professional development and self-improvement.

• Ability to think and plan strategically to inform decision-making. 

• Qualifications, Training, or Relevant experience in IAG, Welfare Benefits, Housing, Immigration, Employment, Law, or Similar 

• Clear communication skills, face-to-face and on the phone, or via email

•  Ability to troubleshoot difficult situations and deal with them calmly, efficiently, and effectivel

• Knowledge of food security/poverty issues in the UK and working with diverse communities..

• Delivering projects relating to Social Change and Social Justice

• Willingness to undertake further training as required by Spring Community Hub.

• Commitment to the concept of continuous improvement of procedures and practices.

• A compassionate and empathetic approach, with a genuine interest in the well-being of others.

• Knowledge of safeguarding policies and procedures, including child protection and vulnerable adult support.

Responsible for staff/equipment 

Advice & Advocacy / Pastoral Team Volunteers  / Phone / Laptop

Reporting to…

The Head of Compliance & Development/ Chair of Trustees

Why Join us / Benefits

• A warm, welcoming, and passionate working environment

• People-focused with a friendly and supportive workplace culture

• We are a London Living Wage Employer

• An active commitment to equality and diversity

• We offer continuing opportunities for learning, and personal and Professional development together with regular supervision, training, and support for all our staff and volunteers

• Generous annual leave entitlement: 33 days annual leave (including bank holidays)

• Company pension scheme

• Frequent team away days and celebrations, as part of a friendly and collaborative team.

Application Process:

1. Complete our Application form 

2. Submit your CV with a Supporting Statement.

3. Initial Telephone interview - shortlisted candidates will be invited for a Telephone interview

4. If you are shortlisted from the Telephone Interview, you will be invited to a formal interview, which will consist of the following: 

• A  Presentation topic will be shared with you in advance

• 60-minute Panel Interview with members of the SLT / Board of Trustees 

• Questions will be shared with you before the interview so that you can prepare. 

• Role-specific Practical Task