Tony Barclay

1. First of all, about you: what attracted you to becoming a chair/trustee?

Having ‘retired’ unexpectedly at 36 due to disability, I sought new ways of utilising my time, knowledge and skills gained from business and previous voluntary work. I have a background in law, crime prevention and counselling, so a natural choice was Victim Support. My disability (vision loss) and companionship of a Seeing Dog led me to trusteeship of The Seeing Dogs Alliance, where my previous experience and knowledge is also being put to good use.

2. Which organisation(s) do you represent?

I am trustee and honorary treasurer of Victim Support Northern Ireland (VSNI), which covers all Victim Support groups across the province, as well as being a trustee of The Seeing Dogs Alliance, a relatively new and small charity which provides guiding dogs for blind and partially sighted people.  

3. What particularly attracted you to these organisations?

I was drawn to VSNI as I have a long background in law enforcement, through police and legal work, as well as experience as a director in a crime prevention company. These experiences alone have proven useful in supporting the work of Victim Support in Northern Ireland.

My past experiences in business, trusteeship, fundraising, event and project management (for which I received volunteer awards), are invaluable to a fledgling charity such as The Seeing Dogs Alliance. Only seven years old, the charity has already established itself as a viable alternative for the provision of guiding dogs in the UK, and with the presence of its first seeing dog in Ireland, there is great potential to develop the organisation across the entire UK. 

4. Is there anything that would make you an even more effective trustee/chair?

To be an effective trustee, one needs to be aware of, and familiar with, ever changing legislation and guidelines not only for trustees, but also those affecting charities themselves. In Northern Ireland, for instance, the new Charities Commission for NI will have an enormous impact on how charities work in the province. Legislation within the province is very different to that in England, which has an impact on how English based charities operate within the province. Membership of an organistion such as CTN is extremely helpful to a trustee.

5. What’s the biggest challenge you have faced in your role?

As trustee of The Seeing Dogs Alliance, resident within and having a special interest in Northern Ireland, ensuring the charity finds publicity and funding is my main priority – at a time when the more established, much larger and better known alternative organisation has invested heavily in expansion and development, and also in a time of economic difficulty for everyone. Determination, experience, and sheer doggedness will win the day!

6. What do you consider the most satisfying aspect of your role?

Being able to share my knowledge, experience and determination to succeed with the charities, I am honoured to be a trustee of, brings me great satisfaction. I have been privileged to witness change and development within Victim Support Northern Ireland, and hope to see The Seeing Dogs Alliance develop and become a larger, better known charity working across the UK. 

7. Do you think there is enough general recognition of the value of the trustee/chair role?

It is my belief that few people really understand why charity trustees are in place, what we do, or why. VSNI encourage dialogue between trustees, staff and volunteers – a good example of encouraging all to be able to understand how the organisation works, and to ensure trustees have a ‘grass roots’ feel. By encouraging this model, staff and volunteers of the charity have a much better opportunity to understand, meet and share with trustees.

8. (If you have been a trustee/chair for some time) have you felt that the demands made on trustees/chairs have grown over time?

Living and working in Northern Ireland, during a continuing period of legislative change and development, inevitably means that there have been greater demands on charity trustees. There is a greater need to understand changes to existing, and the introduction of new, legislation and how it affects the charity. This is even more important when one is, as I am, a trustee of a charity based in England, and beginning to develop a link with devolved jurisdictions such as NI.

9. What do you think is the ideal term of office that a trustee/chair should serve?

I feel that a four year term of office is ideal, with an opportunity to rotate to a maximum of two terms – i.e. eight years in total. Anything longer is too long, and risks stagnation of a board.

10. What tip would you give to a new trustee?

Go in with an open mind, research in advance, get to know the senior management team, as well as the staff. In a large organisation, where it is not possible to meet everyone, do try and meet staff representatives. Get a ‘grass roots’ feel of the organisation and maintain it – it makes a difference. 

11. If you weren’t a trustee, what would you do with that time?

I think I would seek to become a non-executive director of a suitable organisation, where my previous skills and knowledge could be put to good use.

12. What steps do you take to increase/retain your organisation’s membership?

VSNI has remained stable through periods of great change across the province, and the hard work of the board and staff should be recognised. The Seeing Dogs Alliance is a very young charity, and completely new to Northern Ireland. Raising the charity’s profile, making more dogs available to blind and partially sighted people, raising further funds for the charity and eventually developing a national training centre are all challenges to be met. Membership of the organisation will greatly help in achieving those goals. Publicity is the key.

13. What question do you want to ask next week’s trustee?

Looking back, do you feel you have made a difference?

For your opportunity to answer Tony’s question, please click on the link which takes you to the Forum.