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Pets As Therapy
Oxford, Oxfordshire (Hybrid)
Unpaid role, expenses paid
Voluntary
Job description

Pets As Therapy is a national charity with a simple but powerful mission: to share the joy of pets with people who need it most. Each week, more than 6,000 volunteers and their pets visit schools, hospitals, hospices, care homes and community settings across the UK.

What will you be doing?

Responsibilities of the Chair:

  • Provide strategic leadership to the charity and the Board, ensuring that PAT achieves its mission.
  • Work in partnership with the CEO and Executive team to achieve its mission.
  • Lead the Board in ensuring that it fulfils its responsibilities for the governance of the organisation.
  • Optimise the relationship between the Board and PAT’s staff and volunteers.
  • Plan and chair the Board meetings and the AGM, with others as appropriate.
  • Act as an ambassador and spokesperson for PAT.

The Chair provides oversight and guidance while also carrying out the general responsibilities of a Trustee.

Time Commitment:

  • Estimated at one to two days per month.
  • The Board meets formally at least four times a year for between a half day and a day, depending on business. Two meetings are in-person and are held in central London. Two are virtual.
  • All trustees are asked to serve on one or more Board sub-committees and working groups. This adds 3-4 shorter meetings a year, for which preparation can be significant or relatively light. Trustees may be asked to chair sub committees on a rotating basis.
  • Ad hoc and occasional support through working groups and / or support to the Executive team.
  • Monthly scheduled conversation with the CEO with flexibility to respond to the occasional ad hoc issue.

What are we looking for?

Personal skills / experience / values

  • Willingness and ability to understand and accept responsibilities and liabilities as trustees and to act in the best interests of the organisation.
  • Ability to think creatively and strategically, exercise good, independent judgement and work effectively as a Board member.
  • Effective communication skills and willingness to participate actively in discussion.
  • A strong personal commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
  • Commitment to Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.

Essential skills / experience / values

  • A strategic thinker.
  • Proven leadership skills with the ability to inspire and engage trustees, staff, funders, partners and volunteers.
  • A clear understanding of the charity landscape and the challenges faced by a charity of PAT’s size.
  • Trustee experience with a clear understanding of charity governance.
  • Willingness to act as an ambassador.
  • An animal lover with a firm commitment to PAT’s mission and values.

Desirable skills / experience

  • Familiarity with membership and/or volunteer-based organisations.
  • Sector expertise - animal welfare, health or education.
  • Experience of encouraging more inclusive processes to extend our charity’s impact across a more diverse range of communities.

What difference will you make?

As Chair of Trustees at PAT, you will provide leadership that enables the charity to grow, innovate, and reach more people with the joy of animal companionship. Your guidance will directly influence:

  • Wellbeing of vulnerable people: PAT visits lift spirits in care homes, hospitals, hospices, and day centres.
  • Children’s literacy and confidence: Read2Dogs helps over 2,000 schools support reluctant or anxious readers.
  • Growth and sustainability: Guide a charity with 6,000+ volunteers, ensuring it thrives and meets demand.
  • Expansion of PAT’s reach: Bring the joy and comfort of pets to more people, including underserved communities.

How to Apply

The Reach Volunteering TrusteeWorks Team are supporting Pets As Therapy with this recruitment and all applications and enquiries should be sent to TrusteeWorks via the Reach Volunteering Platform. Please see application instructions on the redirect link.

Application resources
Organisation
Pets As Therapy View profile Organisation type Registered Charity Company size 11 - 20
Posted on: 06 February 2026
Closing date: 09 March 2026 at 10:12
Job ref: 1282789
Tags: Strategy, Governance / Management