Our team
We are governed and managed entirely by enthusiastic volunteers, who dedicate their time and expertise to ensure our animals are happy, content and reach their full potential.
The Berkshire Animal Connection Centre is run entirely by volunteers, both at the Sanctuary and from an organisational point of view. Our managing committee includes leads from each work stream – Treasury, Fundraising, Communications, Office, Equine Assisted Services and Land Management. On the ground, our daily helpers comprise of many local volunteers, with Lead Volunteer Karen Hare, always putting the animals first whatever the weather.
There are currently two Trustees of BACC, ably supported by a voluntary committee. The care and management of the animals is governed by the founding Trustee, Fiona Graham, and undertaken with the assistance of carefully selected volunteers. Both Trustees are from a corporate background, and bring vast experience of managerial and planning processes to the BACC governance and every day running.
Our qualified Equine Facilitated Practitioners are fully DBS approved and adhere to the Safeguarding & Vulnerable Groups Act. The Charity has full public liability insurance.
Fiona Graham
Our founder, managing director and chair Fiona Graham is passionate about equine wellbeing and therapeutic animal care. Fiona is qualified in Equine Assisted Services with a Level 4 Equine Facilitated Practitioner Diploma (Level 5 currently in progress), recognised by the Accredited Counsellors, Coaches, Psychotherapists and Hypnotherapists (ACCPH). This qualification promotes excellence in the field of equine facilitated learning by offering qualified professionals in the field of coaching, teaching, riding instruction, social work, nursing, holistic therapy, forensic psychology a means of expanding their area of expertise into equine facilitated learning.
Fiona works alongside the team and local veterinarians to ensure each animal admitted has a clearly defined rehabilitation plan, monitoring progress and developing programmes for all animals to fulfil their potential.