Trusteeship with Power to Live Foundation

Applicant endorsed by The Fore

Organisation Description

The Power to Live Foundation delivers low-cost, high-quality, means-tested evidence-based behavioural psychotherapy to individuals experiencing mental distress and social isolation, particularly within socially deprived communities. This is achieved through structured therapeutic programmes, with all therapists receiving mandatory 8-week training in Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and intervention skills. Our impact demonstrates our commitment to accessibility: between May 1, 2024, and April 30, 2025, 46.5% of our clients received the lowest-tier payment rate of £8 per session, typically due to qualifying as a student or receiving income support. We actively foster community connections and partnerships, notably through collaborative outreach initiatives with Drive Forward Foundation, delivery trauma informed therapy to care-experienced young people to Reach and Connect in Haringey, which provides support and friendship for people over 50. To maintain effectiveness, all client outcome monitoring rigorously tracks changes in functioning, quality of life, and progress against patient-defined goals using psychometric measures throughout the treatment process.

What are they looking for?

The Power to Live Foundation seeks expert support in Finance and Business Strategy Truesteeship to transition from a successful five-year pilot phase to a sustainable, growing organisation, addressing critical gaps in high-level operational and financial management. As a small charity with an annual income below £90,000 our internal leadership (CEO) is heavily involved in day-to-day operations and administrative tasks, meaning sustained, strategic oversight is our most significant struggle and greatest need.

We specifically require assistance in the following areas:

1. Strategic Business Development and Governance:
Our organisation currently lacks formalised strategy and long-term planning, presenting a risk of drifting without clear objectives. We need external expertise to develop a robust, long-term business strategy beyond the initial pilot phase, integrating our mission goals with scalable operations. This support is vital for formalising core elements that can help us achieve financial self-sustainability.

2. Financial Governance and Credit Control:
While we utilize software like Xero and Stripe for basic accounting and payments, we require specialised financial support to strengthen internal controls and manage operational finance risks. A crucial administrative struggle is Credit control, specifically tracking client sessions against payment and managing client Direct Debits or subscriptions when payments fail. We require support to develop and implement standardised procedures to manage these failed payments effectively, minimising financial loss and resource drain when our income is already small. Furthermore, securing funding beyond initial donations requires a robust, professional fund-raising strategy focused on grants and foundations, an area where dedicated strategic capacity is currently missing. A bonus would be to have a person that has corporate connections, especially with social responsibility and philanthropic contacts.

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