Our new Chief Executive, Ruth Lowe, reflects on her first few months at Little Valley, the people and animals she has met, and the exciting future taking shape for our charity.
It’s a real pleasure to be writing my first update as Little Valley’s Chief Executive. Although I’ve only been here for a relatively short time, I’ve already had the opportunity to see so much of what makes this organisation special – from spending time with our teams at the shelter and in our shops, to meeting volunteers, trustees, supporters and the people we work with in communities across Devon.
I’ve been struck by the passion people have for Little Valley and, most importantly, by how deeply people care about the animals at the heart of everything we do. There is a real sense of pride and belonging here, and I feel very lucky to have become part of it.
I’ve also joined Little Valley at a particularly important point in its history. Our new site is beginning to take shape and, after a long period of planning and building work, we’re getting closer to being able to welcome visitors back. The development has taken a little longer than we originally hoped, with full completion now expected towards the end of November, but it’s wonderful to see those plans becoming a reality.
I know many of you have been waiting patiently to see the new facilities, and I’m really looking forward to being able to share them with you. We’re also heading into some of our busiest fundraising months of the year, so there will be lots of opportunities to get involved and be part of what comes next.
For me, though, the new buildings are just one part of what makes this such an exciting time for Little Valley. I’ve inherited an organisation with a wonderful history, a strong local identity and an enormous amount of knowledge and expertise. Behind it are staff, volunteers and supporters who care passionately about what we do.
As I’ve started to get to know the charity, I’ve been conscious that my first responsibility is to listen and understand – to learn from the people who know Little Valley best, recognise what we already do brilliantly and identify where there are opportunities to do even better. As we look to the future, I want to make sure we protect the things that matter most.
I’m still learning a huge amount, particularly about shelter life and animal welfare, and I feel very fortunate to be surrounded by people with so much experience and expertise. One of the lovely things about joining a new organisation is seeing familiar things through fresh eyes, and I’ve already discovered so much at Little Valley that I think we should be incredibly proud of.
And, of course, I’ve been lucky enough to meet many of the animals whose stories remind us every day why our work matters.
There are some big opportunities ahead of us. We can build on the incredible support we already have from our volunteers, supporters and customers, while making sure Little Valley remains strong and sustainable for the future.
I’m really looking forward to meeting more of our supporters over the coming months, hearing your stories and finding out more about what Little Valley means to you.
Thank you for the incredibly warm welcome I’ve received so far, and for everything you do to help us give animals the care, safety and homes they deserve.
Ruth Lowe
Chief Executive Officer
