Governance & Stewardship

Empath Centres is built on a simple principle: trust is earned through transparency.

To deliver meaningful, measurable national renewal, Empath is establishing a governance model rooted in integrity, accountability, and long-term stewardship. Our vision is bold, but our structure is disciplined. This page outlines the framework that will guide the organisation as it moves toward pilot funding and national rollout.

The Empath Advisory Board will bring together leaders in mental health, regeneration, public policy, finance, social impact and lived-experience advocacy.

Its purpose is to ensure that Empath Centres remain grounded, accountable, and aligned with the highest standards of service.

The Board will provide oversight across five areas:

Clinical Governance

Ethical practice, safety, and wellbeing.

Advisory Board

Full board to be announced Spring 2026

Operational Excellence

Ethical practice, safety, and wellbeing.

Financial Stewardship

Ethical practice, safety, and wellbeing.

Policy Alignment

Ethical practice, safety, and wellbeing.

Community Voice

Ethical practice, safety, and wellbeing.

Board members will be published as appointments are confirmed.

Legal
Structure

Empath Mental Health CIC t/a Empath Centres is registered as a not-for-profit organisation Community Interest Company.

Foundational documents — including Articles of Association and annual accounts — are available on request.

We are working with legal advisors at Turcan Connell to ensure that Empath’s structure reflects best practice in governance and public stewardship.

Transparency
& Reporting

Empath is committed to annual publication of:

  • Impact reports

  • Financial statements

  • Clinical and operational audits

  • Community advisory notes

  • Development and rollout plans

All reports will be publicly accessible. Accountability is not an aspiration
— it is a requirement.

Funding
Governance

Pilot funding will be overseen by:

  • The Advisory Board

  • Independent Auditor

  • A Clinical Safety Panel

  • Community Representatives

Every pound spent must advance one of three outcomes:

  1. Mental and emotional recovery

  2. Personal development and social reintegration

  3. Community regeneration

Empath does not exist to create dependency
— it exists to create dignity.