our people

Centre 33 is made up of a dedicated team of staff, trustees and volunteers, all working together to support young people across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. From our founding patrons, who laid the foundations for the charity in 1981, to our team today, every person at Centre 33 is committed to making sure young people get the support they need.

Meet the people behind Centre 33.

Centre 33 young person support

our 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. Read more about our history here.

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 Maggie and 15 trained volunteers. By the time she left 10 years later Centre 33 was an independent charity with three 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 with a counsellor without fear of judgement - where young people would be supported in finding their own solutions to difficluties and find out information that would empower them to make good choices."

our staff

We have over 90 paid staff members who work across the county and are supported by a team of volunteers.

Service teams 

Pages about our services, which detail our work and how to contact us, are available here - mental health, practical support and caring responsiblities.

Central teams

The Central team manages the charity from behind the scenes. Specialist teams include Data, Quality and Impact, HR, Finance, Operations, Fundraising and Communications. Email us to find out more.

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! Find out more about volunteering opportunities.

The Centre 33 charity team.

our senior leadership team

Our senior leadership team holds repsonsibility for the running of Centre 33.

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. Beth has an MBA from Cranfield School of Management and is a Clore Social Fellow.

Meg Platt
Deputy chief executive officer

Meg is an experienced social sector leader. Before joining Centre 33 in 2014, she worked across a number of voluntary sector organisations and local authorities. Meg, a Clore Social Leadership Fellow, is responsible for the leadership and management of Centre 33’s service delivery, ensuring staff and volunteers are supported to deliver excellent, safe, innovative and responsive services to young people. Meg is the organisational designated Safeguarding lead and works closely with key partners across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough to advocate for young people.

Frances Roberson
Director of finance and HR

Fran has worked at Centre 33 since 2009. She is responsible for the strategic leadership and management of Centre 33’s HR and Finance functions, ensuring her teams are efficient, effective and integrated, whilst complying with current legislation. Previously she was a Finance Director and a local charity Finance Manager. She also has extensive experience supporting other charities to improve their systems, with a particular focus on finance, policies and procedures. Fran takes a keen interest in supporting in her local community.

Harriet Millward
Director of development and partnerships

Harriet joined Centre 33 in October 2024 and brings over 20 years of experience working in charities, including overseas disability charity CBM and Alzheimer’s Research UK. Her team supports funders and those interested in donating or fundraising, including companies, grant-giving trusts and foundations, community groups, statutory funders and individuals who donate, organise fundraising events or leave gifts in their Will to Centre 33.

Kate Rees
Director of services

Kate is responsible for the development and delivery of our high-quality, young person-led service teams. She has established and grown our young carers service since joining Centre 33 in 2005 and has a comprehensive understanding of the issues young people face. Kate has worked within the voluntary and public sector, supporting families and young people, looked after young people and young offenders. She holds a BA Joint Hons in Childhood Studies and Professional Practice Studies.

Michelle Birch
Head of operations, projects and communications

Michelle is responsible for a busy team covering Communications and Operations ensuring our work runs smoothly behind the scenes and that we communicate our work to a wider audience. Her current priority is to open a new Centre 33 hub in Cambridge. Prior to joining Centre 33 in 2015 Michelle worked in marketing and administration for a diverse range of organisations and is currently on the Board at Cambridge Women’s Resource Centre.

Ellen Roberts
Head of quality, data and impact

Ellen joined us in 2006 and currently oversees our Data and Insights team and leads Quality Assurance and improvement projects across Centre 33. Ellen ensures we are continually learning from our data, evaluation and young people’s voice, as well as recognised best practice. She has a BA in Social Sciences, qualifications in Youth Work and Management and prior experience in the voluntary sector in International Development.

OUR TRUSTEES

Centre 33 is governed by a voluntary board of brilliant trustees - meet our current board.

Philip Windred
Trustee (Chair)

After almost 20 years in the satellite industry, as well as spells in telecoms and aircraft, Philip left the corporate world to support technology start-ups. Prior to joining Centre 33 as a Trustee, Philip was a school governor for six years. He has three children aged 16 to 22, and gained three more, aged 12 to 18, with his partner.

Sarah Ferguson
Trustee (Deputy chair)

Sarah joined Centre 33 as a volunteer information worker after leaving university 32 years ago, and has been involved ever since. Sarah’s career has been spent in community, children and young people’s services in and around Cambridgeshire, mainly in local government. She has expertise in developing young people’s services and strategic partnership engagement.

Claire Evans
Trustee

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.

Susan Mitchell
Trustee

Susan has more than 20 years of experience in the health and charity sectors, with particular expertise in health policy influencing. She is a mother of two teenagers and understands the importance of young people having access to Centre 33 support.

Emma Snow
Trustee (Treasurer)

Emma has a finance, commercial and strategic skillset, which she uses to support non-profits. She has lived and worked in Ghana and Palestine supporting small non-profits to develop strategic plans. Emma is a Chartered Accountant and has been a Trustee/Treasurer for Carers Network in London. In her spare time, she likes to climb and cycle.

Peter Clarke
Trustee

Peter has significant experience in the charity sector, having worked in another local charity for 30 years – currently as Chief Executive. His career and Trustee work has given him experience on both sides of the table. Peter works directly with young people, is a qualified social worker and has a research background.

Sandra Rehm
Trustee

Before working for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust empowering disadvantaged people to return to and retain work, Sandra worked as an independent advocate for people with a learning disability or health condition. She has a strong interest in ensuring the wishes of young people are at the centre of their support.

Harry Wade
Trustee

Harry joined Centre 33 as a Trustee in 2024. He has worked in the charity sector for 12 years in fundraising, programme delivery, team leadership and stakeholder management. As Deputy CEO as DHL UK Foundation, Harry supports young people from disadvantaged communities to realise their potential.

Susan Imrie
Trustee

Susan is 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 at Centre 33, Susan was a volunteer counsellor with us for more than seven years.

Susanne Owers
Trustee

Susanne has worked in the non-profit sector for over 20 years, including in senior fundraising and management roles. She is currently Director of Fundraising for SOS Children’s Villages UK, specialising in strategy and relationships with grant-makers, supporters and corporate partners.

Karen Robson
Trustee

An experienced Marketing Leader, Karen has spent over 30 years in client and agency businesses, building a strong track record in strategic planning and implementation of brand and performance marketing. Karen has qualified as an Executive Coach and is also studying for a Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling.

Laura Brookes
Trustee

Laura has a background in strategic leadership and change management, including in the education sector and roles including policy advisory, partnership development and project delivery. She has a keen interest in the local business community, and believes in the power of businesses investing in opportunities and support for local young people.

OTHER INFORMATION YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN

Centre 33 is dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of young people in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. Each year, we provide support and guidance to thousands of individuals facing various challenges, from mental health issues to caring responsibilities.

Support for young people

About us

Centre 33 is here to support young people in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough with their mental health, practical needs, and caring responsibilities.

Support for young people

Our impact

Understand the impact of Centre 33's support for young people - read our Impact Reports and take a look at our year in numbers.

Support for young people

Work for us

Join our brilliant team and help us make our vision that every young person should be heard and respected for who they are a reality.

Support for young people

Volunteer with us

Join our team of incredible volunteers and help make a difference in young people’s lives. From counselling to admin support, there’s a role for you.