Our Trustees
CHAT Youth Counselling is a local charity providing mental health support to young people, 8– 25 years age. The counselling is provided by professional counsellors and the day to day running of CHAT is co-ordinated by our Clinical and Business Manager.
However, CHAT does rely on its board of trustees who, in conjunction with the manager, shape the strategy and scope of the charity. The trustees come from a variety of backgrounds, but what they have in common is a concern for the mental health of young people.
We are always looking to add trustees to the existing board. If you are interested in finding out more about becoming a trustee, please contact secretary@chatyouthtrustees.co.uk.
David
Chair
Hello! My name is David Palmer, and I am proud to be a trustee of CHAT Youth Counselling.
I have worked as a social worker and manager in the social care field for thirty-five years after qualifying as a social worker way back in 1981.Before I qualified, I also worked in children's homes in Lincolnshire. I worked in child protection in Leeds and Luton, before specialising in work with adolescents who were in trouble with the Police and Courts.
This brought me to work for a national charity called NCH Action for Children in High Wycombe and Slough, setting up projects which were community-based alternatives to custody for young people who had committed offences and were dealt with by Courts. This taught me the important role charities have in adding value to communities and young people in particular.
I then worked as a Team Leader, Unit Manager and Area Manager with young people in trouble, as a representative of the Northamptonshire Youth Offending Service, between 1988 to 2016. This is a multi-agency organisation, with social workers, police, probation, youth workers, teachers, drug workers and community psychiatric nurses all work together to provide services to children and families in trouble.
As a result, I know the importance of early help and intervention by services such as CHAT Youth Counselling, diverting children from trouble and providing help when it is needed. I also have worked alongside Police, Probation and the Prison Service in developing and supporting risk management plans for those offenders who have committed serious violent or sexual crimes and are being released back into the community.
Since 2016, I have worked as a Senior and Associate Lecturer at the University of Northampton in the Criminal Justice Department, training police officers and investigators. I retired in 2026 and support the work of CHAT Youth Counselling as it provides invaluable help to children, young people and young adults who require assistance. Most importantly, the help provided is free and confidential.
I also have four ducks, four chickens and two dogs and quite a large garden, which keeps me busy also!
Lita
Lita Gray has been a resident of Oundle for many years and has been a CHAT Trustee for over a year. She has an interest in the mental health and well-being of young people and also works as a Prince’s Trust Employability Skills Mentor for young people. She has also been an Oundle Town Councillor for the past 2 years.
In her professional life she worked in various management/strategic roles in Human Resources for over 40 years in the UK and Australia.
Phil
