Could you be a trustee?

An exciting opportunity to join Forever Hounds Trust as part of the Trustee Board.

What we do

As we enter our 25th year of rescuing, rehabilitating and homing sighthounds, we are looking for people who share our passion for these dogs. The Trustees’ role is to form the strategic aims of the charity, ensure good governance and to work with staff and volunteers to help achieve our vision, which is a day when every greyhound and lurcher is free from risk or need.

Until now, Forever Hounds Trust has operated by using rented spaces in commercial kennels to house and care for the dogs until they are ready to go to their forever homes. But, by the end of this year, we will also be able to home dogs from our own premises, in Devon, achieving an important goal in the development of the charity.

Many greyhounds coming into our care have suffered in the racing industry. We are pleased to see that support for greyhound racing is declining: we strive for and promote improved sighthound welfare through our active membership of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare, the Association of Dogs & Cats Homes and any other appropriate body.

What we need

We are looking to recruit several Trustees at this exciting time for the charity. If you have any of the following skills and experience, we would love to hear from you:

Human Resources – to advise and deal with some aspects of our staff team.

Business Development – to input into our strategy.

Animal Welfare Law and regulation – as we work to improve sighthound welfare.

Finance – to be a member of the Finance and Governance sub – committee.

Working with volunteers – Forever Hounds Trust is volunteer focused and the Trustees are part of that volunteer team.

Previous Trustee experience is not necessary and we welcome applications from all ages and backgrounds.

An interest in our work is essential.

How we work

There are four Board meetings each year, usually held at weekends in our Oxford office, but due to current restrictions, meetings have been held remotely by Teams conference calls. When the current crisis is over, we may continue to have some meetings in this way, but will also hold face to face meetings at our office or elsewhere. The Trustees also have fairly frequent calls to discuss various matters as they arise, and at least one Trustee is represented on fortnightly staff calls. There is also a good deal of email correspondence with senior staff members. This degree of involvement with the charity and its development is rewarding and worthwhile and we are looking for someone who will be able to commit to the time required:

How we will help you

There is an induction process and you will receive any necessary training regarding your role as a Trustee. One or more of the Trustees will be available for mentoring and you will learn about all aspects of our work to enable you to contribute to achieving our vision.

How to find out more and apply

Further information on our work is available on our website, or you can speak to one of our Trustees – email them here. Applications with a CV and covering letter should be emailed no later than 30th November 2020.