Veterans With Dogs (VWD) is seeking to appoint two new Trustees to join our Board at an exciting and important stage in the charity’s development.
About Veterans With Dogs
Veterans With Dogs supports veterans of the UK Armed Forces and the Merchant Navy who are living with mental health challenges, through the provision of highly trained assistance dogs. Our work helps improve wellbeing, independence, confidence, and quality of life, while promoting responsible dog ownership and high standards of animal welfare.
We support veterans across the UK, and we now have ambitious plans to grow, strengthen our impact, and ensure long-term sustainability.
Why we are recruiting
Following recent changes at both Board and senior executive level, Veterans With Dogs is entering a new phase. This is a genuinely exciting and formative time to join the charity, with real opportunity to help shape its next chapter.
We are strengthening our Trustee Board to ensure the charity is:
- Well-governed and resilient
- Strategically focused and sustainable
- Ambitious in its plans for growth and impact
New trustees will play a key role in supporting growth, stability, and positive organisational culture.
Who we are looking for
We welcome applications from people who share our values and are motivated by our mission. Previous trustee experience is helpful but not essential.
We are particularly interested in candidates with experience in one or more of the following areas:
- Charity governance or leadership
- Finance, audit, or risk management
- Legal, HR, or employment matters
- Safeguarding and welfare (people and / or animals)
- Mental health, veterans’ services, or healthcare
- Digital, IT, or data protection governance
Lived experience of military or Merchant Navy service, mental health challenges, or disability is welcomed but not required.
What the role involves
As a Trustee, you will:
- Act in the best interests of Veterans With Dogs and its beneficiaries
- Provide strategic oversight and constructive challenge
- Ensure compliance with charity law and good governance
- Support the charity’s growth and long-term sustainability
- Act as an ambassador for Veterans With Dogs, promoting the charity wherever appropriate
Trustees typically commit to:
- 4 to 6 Board meetings per year (some held virtually)
- Occasional additional meetings or working groups as required
- Supporting the charity at events where possible (this will not be extensive)
This is a voluntary role, with reasonable expenses reimbursed.
Our commitment to you
Veterans With Dogs is committed to:
- Providing a thorough induction and ongoing support
- Creating a respectful, inclusive, and well-run Board environment
- Ensuring trustees are supported to carry out their duties confidently and effectively
We actively encourage applications from individuals who are under-represented on charity boards.
How to apply
If you are interested in becoming a Trustee of Veterans With Dogs, please send the following to Sally Williams, Chair of Trustees at Veterans With Dogs, at sally.williams@rcp.ac.uk
- A brief expression of interest outlining why you would like to join the Board and what skills or experience you would bring
- Your current CV
Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.
