Helpful Hounds Assistance Dogs has announced the appointment of Sarah Phillips as its new Interim Chief Operating Officer, strengthening the leadership team as the charity expands its support for young people and families across the South of England.
CEO, Peter Rufus said:
“Sarah is a great addition to the team as she brings more than 15 years of senior leadership experience across the not-for-profit, emergency services, professional services, events and technology sectors. She has a strong track record of organisational growth, strategic planning and team leadership, including founding and running Octima Marketing, where she led the business through the pandemic while maintaining growth and championing strong relationships”.
In previous in-house leadership roles, Sarah has contributed to organisational strategy, partnership development and income generation, and has overseen complex projects involving multiple stakeholders. She also holds a CIM Professional Diploma in Marketing and has completed training in safeguarding, mental health first aid, leadership and project management. Alongside her new role, she also serves as a non-executive board member of a local social enterprise.
Speaking about joining the charity, Sarah said:
“Helpful Hounds supports inclusion, accessibility and wellbeing every single day. Whether it’s supporting someone to leave their house, helping a non-verbal child speak their first words, or enabling an anxious child to get through the school gates each morning, the impact is extraordinary.”
Helpful Hounds trains assistance dogs to support children and young people with a wide range of needs, improving independence and quality of life for both individuals and their families.
Sarah added:
“We don’t focus on a single condition. Every dog is trained around the individual and what they need to live more independently. We change the lives of young people and their families.”
As COO, Sarah will work closely with the CEO to develop the charity’s business strategy and long-term sustainability, while ensuring families, schools, volunteers and staff remain at the heart of the organisation.
“The opportunity to streamline the organisation so our trainers and volunteers have the tools they need to support as many people as possible really excites me,” she said.
Over the next 12 to 18 months the charity aims to expand its programmes, grow public awareness across the South of England and achieve full membership of Assistance Dogs International. A new charity-trained dogs programme is also being developed to help families who are unable to train their own dog access support.
Sarah, who owns two Labrador retrievers, says her personal life also connects closely to the charity’s mission.
“I have many friends and family members with additional needs and I see first-hand how their needs are not always met in the community. We all share responsibility to build a more inclusive world where everyone belongs. Supporting Helpful Hounds is one way people can do that right now.”
The charity is supported locally through community fundraising, corporate donations, legacies and volunteers and is looking to expand involvement further. Volunteers are welcome in roles including events support, administration, fundraising, marketing and puppy parenting.
Helpful Hounds is also continuing partnerships with ASDA in Bournemouth and Cascades in Portsmouth, alongside community events, school fairs and local festivals throughout the year.
Sarah said:
“We want people to feel joyful, purposeful and fulfilled when they engage with Helpful Hounds because they are directly helping families live fuller lives.”
People can support Helpful Hounds by volunteering, fundraising, partnering as a business, or donating via the charity’s website and social media channels.
