In the beginning...

Centre 70 Community Association, as it was originally known, was founded at a public meeting held on 24 June 1970, so we’ve been around for over 40 years.  Our role has developed and changed over time but has always reflected our objective to serve the local community.

For further details of our history click here.

The present day...

Today the staff employed at our offices at 46 Knights Hill deal with around 16000 advice enquiries a year. In addition, a qualified Counselling Manager leads a team of volunteer counsellors in providing a day and evening counselling service to those suffering from distress or anxiety.

We were selected Sainsbury’s Upper Norwood Charity of the year for 2010. In 2011 we were awarded Commended at the Lambeth Business Awards for Commitment to the Community.

Funding

Centre 70 is pleased to receive support from the London Borough of Lambeth, the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills ( through Capitalise), The Legal Services Commission, Thames Water Trust Fund, Walcot Foundation, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and many private trust funds and personal donors.

Organisation, Governance and Quality

Centre 70 is a registered charity (no. 296020) and company (no.2087528), which is limited by guarantee, and has no share capital. Its object is to promote the social welfare of the people of West Norwood and surrounding areas by the provision of free, professional advice on housing, welfare benefits, debt relief and legal matters. We also provide free and low cost psychotherapeutic counselling.

The activities of the company are directed by a board of trustees, members of which are mainly drawn from the local community. They give their time and expertise voluntarily and are elected annually.  The board currently has 14 members, and meets 8 times a year, and more frequently if required.  There are sub-groups set up for specific purposes that report to the board.

Day-to-day administration and the supervision of all staff is in the hands of two joint-managers for the advice centre, and a counselling service manager. They, and all other members of staff and volunteer workers, are responsible - either directly or indirectly - to the board of trustees.

We are members of AdviceUK and British Association of Counselling and Physiotherapy

We pride ourselves on our commitment to providing quality assured advice and counselling services delivered to the needs of the community and with efficiency to maximise the numbers helped. We have active and monitored policies, and procedures, which determine the framework under which the work is carried out, and ensure quality assured standards, which include Equal Opportunities, Confidentiality, Complaints, Data Protection, Disability Discrimination, Health and Safety, Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons, Sustainability, Financial Procedures, Training & Development, Supervision and File review, and Personnel Policies.

Read our equal opportunities policy here.

Read our latest annual report here.