About the organisation
Refuge4Pets provides a specialist Animal Fostering Service across Devon and Cornwall to victim-survivors of domestic abuse, so that they can leave with their much-loved animals.
We are also committed to advancing Research and providing Training and Resources to a wide range of professionals to help them to understand the link between domestic abuse and animal abuse and how to promote the safety of all victim-survivors of domestic abuse - people and animals.
Our Board of Trustees is commited to the Governance of Refuge4Pets and its three charitable objectives:
1) We offer victim-survivors of domestic abuse an animal fostering service to remove a significant barrier which prevents victim-survivors from leaving.
2) We empower victims-survivors to access the vital safety and support they need before being reunited with their much-loved animals.
3) We contribute to research, policy development and education around the link between domestic abuse and animal abuse.
Our Vision
Working to achieve freedom from domestic abuse for people and animals.
Our Mission
We offer victim-survivors of domestic abuse a specialist animal fostering service to remove a significant barrier which prevents many victim-survivors from leaving. We empower victim-survivors to access the vital safety and support they need before being reunited with their much-loved animals.
We believe that animals are an important part of victim-survivors’ coping strategies and that the reciprocal bond between victim-survivors and animals aids recovery from trauma.
We contribute to research, policy development and education around the link between domestic abuse and animal abuse to increase the safety and wellbeing of all victim-survivors, both people and animals.
Main Priorities
Refuge4Pets main priorities for 2025/26 are:
Priority 1: Increasing the safety and wellbeing of victim-survivors of domestic abuse and sexual violence
Outcome: We are reaching victim-survivors across Devon and Cornwall who need our support through a targeted communications plan which responds to gaps in referrals.
Priority 2: Influencing change
Outcome: More people and animals are safeguarded because of our contribution to research, education, policy and practice change in relation to the link between domestic abuse and animal abuse.
Priority 3: Increasing community involvement
Outcome: Greater community ownership and awareness about the link between domestic abuse and animal abuse to build a bystander community.
Priority 4: Long term impact for sustained change
Outcome: We are developing and delivering innovative solutions that enhance our reach and impact in terms of maximising the safety of victim-survivors of domestic abuse, both people and animals.
Our Values
Refuge4Pets determination in achieving our main priorities are derived from our values:
- Empathy - We understand what people and animals have been through and work in an empathetic and non-judgemental way.
- Equity - We believe that everyone is equal and has the right to live free of violence and abuse.
- Empowerment - We empower victim-survivors to regain control of their lives.
- Effectiveness - We work efficiently and effectively to achieve our vision.
- Integrity - We are honest and have strong moral principles.
About the role
We’re currently recruiting a Finance Trustee (Treasurer) to join our Board of Trustees. In this role, you’ll work closely with the CEO, Finance Manager, and fellow Trustees to oversee all aspects of the charity’s financial affairs and help ensure its long‑term sustainability.
The overall role of the Finance Trustee (Treasurer), working in conjunction with the CEO and Finance Manager, is to maintain an overview of Refuge4Pets’ affairs (including any trading subsidiary), ensure its financial viability and ensure that proper financial records and procedures are maintained.
In addition to the general responsibilities of a Trustee, duties of the Finance Trustee include the following:
· Overseeing, approving and presenting budgets, accounts and financial statements.
· Being assured that the financial resources of the organisation meet its present and future needs.
· Ensuring that the charity has an appropriate reserves policy.
· Preparing and presenting financial reports to the Board.
· Ensuring that appropriate accounting procedures and controls are in place.
· Liaising with the wider team about financial matters.
· Advising on the financial implications of the organisation’s strategic plans.
· Ensuring that the charity has an appropriate investment policy.
· Ensuring that there is no conflict between any investment held and the aims and objects of the charity.
· Monitoring the organisation’s investment activity and ensuring it is consistent with the organisation’s policies and legal responsibilities.
· Ensuring that the accounts are prepared and disclosed in the form required by funders and the Charity Commission.
· Ensuring that the accounts are scrutinised in the manner required (independent examination or audit) and any recommendations are implemented.
· Keeping the board informed about its financial duties and responsibilities.
· Contributing to the fundraising strategy of the organisation.
· Making a formal presentation of the accounts at the annual general meeting and drawing attention to important points in a coherent and easily understandable way.
The time commitment will typically be a couple of hours per week (working with the CEO and/or Finance Manager via Teams/email/phone), plus attending monthly Trustee meetings.
These monthly Trustee meetings are almost always in the evening (on a weekday) and usually last 1-hour or 1.5 hours at most. They are mostly conducted via Teams. We try to have at least one ‘in-person’ Trustee meeting per year that will include an afternoon meeting with either lunch before-hand, or an early dinner afterwards.
There is no requirement for the Finance Trustee to be based in Devon or Cornwall, but there will be an expectation of the ability to travel to the Southwest for the occasional in-person meeting (e.g. the annual in-person afternoon meeting / social – this would typically be during the spring or summer months, not in the winter).
Our ideal candidate
Finance Trustee should have the following essential skills, knowledge and experience:
· Financial qualifications and experience
· Some experience of charity finance, fundraising and pension schemes
· The skills to analyse proposals and examine their financial consequences
· Being prepared to make unpopular recommendations to the Board
· A willingness to be available for advice and enquiries on an ad hoc basis
More general skills that are desirable:
· A commitment to the organisation, vision and values
· A willingness to devote the necessary time and effort
· Strategic vision
· Good, independent judgement
· An ability to think creatively
· A willingness to speak their mind
· An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship
· An ability to work effectively as a member of a team
What’s in it for you
Being a Refuge4Pets Trustee is extremely rewarding. We are a friendly team and we will welcome a new Trustee warmly and with all the induction and mentoring you need to develop as a Trustee. Don't worry if you've never been a Trustee before, we will help you along the way. The key skill we need you to bring is your financial expertise, and a willingness to give up some of your time to help people and animals.
If you get a chance to spend some time on our website, you can read all about the work we do and the impact we have in supporting people and animals escape domestic abuse. Even though we're a small charity, only covering Devon and Cornwall, we also do national-level work in raising awareness on the link between domestic abuse of people and animals. Animal abuse is often over-looked by domestic abuse professionals and policy-makers and we're working hard to change this through our training and research.
There will be optional opportunities for you to attend training sessions to learn more about domestic abuse and animal welfare if you wish to expand your knowledge of these areas.
You will be fully supported by the CEO, Trustee Chair and the rest of the Trustees. Whilst the work we do is very serious, we do try to keep things light and have a bit of fun whenever possible!
If you'd like to be a part of our story, as we continue to support people and animals and help drive change through education and training, please get in touch by email with your CV and an expression of interest.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Apply for the role
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