Volunteering

Volunteering with us is an opportunity to make a profound difference in the lives of animals and your community As a volunteer, you become a vital part of our mission, helping care for animals in need from the sick and injured to those abandoned and neglected Whether you can give a few hours or more of your time, every contribution plays a role in giving these animals a second chance at life Additionally, volunteering provides you with valuable skills, meaningful experiences and the rewarding feeling of being part of a compassionate and dedicated team.  By joining our volunteer programme, you’ll gain access to comprehensive training, including an induction morning to familiarise yourself with our health and safety protocols and best practices for working with animals Your time and effort will directly support our animal home’s operations and contribute to creating brighter futures for the animals we care for, making your involvement truly impactful. 

What roles do we have?

Volunteers in Animal Care play a crucial role in ensuring the welfare of animals at the rehoming centre.  Responsibilities include cleaning and maintaining animal accommodation, feeds, socialisation and dog walking. 

Volunteers monitor the animals’ physical condition and behaviour, reporting any concerns promptly.  Teamwork and clear communication are vital, as is following guidelines to safeguard animal welfare and privacy. 

This role is ideal for compassionate, dedicated individuals with a passion for animal welfare.  Volunteers should be willing to undergo training, handle physical tasks and commit to a regular schedule.  In return, they gain the satisfaction of making a meaningful difference in the lives of animals, learning new skills and connecting with like-minded people.  This is a rewarding opportunity to contribute to a caring community, while enhancing personal and professional development. 

 

Non-Animal focused roles are integral to the success of the rehoming centre and its services.  Your responsibilities could include completing adoption paperwork, managing the Animal Shelter Manager database, and preparing adoption and foster packs. You could also contribute by taking and editing photographs of animals, promoting them on the Branch and National Society websites to boost rehoming opportunities. Additional tasks involve publicising events, welcoming visitors, assisting with paperwork, handling payments, and supporting the centre's positive image are also key parts of this role. 

Volunteer Drivers are vital to support with collecting and transporting donations around our branch 

By volunteering in these roles, you’ll make a meaningful impact on the welfare of animals in your community. These opportunities offer a chance to develop new skills, meet like-minded people, and contribute to a supportive and compassionate environment. Your efforts will help improve the lives of animals in need. 

We welcome volunteers from Rodbaston and Broomfield College, as well as students studying Animal Care at university, to join our team and gain hands-on experience in animal welfare. A typical day as a volunteer involves cleaning animal accommodations, assisting with feeding, socialising with cats, and for those over 18, dog walking. Volunteers play an essential role in maintaining the rehoming centre and ensuring the animals receive the care and attention they need. 

In addition to daily tasks, volunteers monitor the animals’ physical condition and behaviour, promptly reporting any concerns to the team. Collaboration and clear communication are key aspects of this role, as volunteers work closely with staff and other team members to safeguard animal welfare and maintain a safe, supportive environment. Adherence to guidelines and privacy protocols is critical in ensuring the animals' well-being. 

This role is perfect for compassionate, dedicated individuals with a passion for animal care. You should be ready to undertake training, manage physical tasks, and commit to a regular schedule. In return, they gain the satisfaction of making a significant impact on the lives of animals, learning valuable skills, and connecting with like-minded people. This is an enriching opportunity to contribute to the community while enhancing personal growth and professional development. 

Working in our Charity Shops is a wonderful opportunity to contribute to a cause while gaining valuable retail experience. Responsibilities include assisting customers in finding what they need, accepting donations from the public, and processing sales through the till and card machine, including Gift Aid contributions. Volunteers also sort through donated items to identify saleable goods, prepare them for display by steaming and hanging, and create eye-catching window and shop floor displays to attract customers. 

We are looking for friendly and approachable individuals who are confident in engaging with people. While prior retail experience is helpful, it is not essential as full training will be provided. Volunteers should have good communication and numeracy skills, along with flexibility and reliability to commit to regular days and hours. This role is open to anyone aged 16 and over, making it a fantastic opportunity for individuals looking to gain new skills or contribute to their community. 

In return for your time, you will enjoy meeting new people and making friends while enhancing your CV with skills such as customer service, merchandising, and multi-tasking. We offer a comprehensive induction and training programme tailored to your role. Most importantly, your efforts will make a significant difference to the welfare of animals, supporting the charity’s mission and helping animals in need. 

The role of a Fundraising Volunteer is vital in helping raise the funds needed to improve animal welfare. Responsibilities include organising, advertising, and promoting fundraising activities, as well as planning and participating in events over an agreed period. Volunteers are expected to communicate planned activities with staff and other team members and work collaboratively to ensure events run smoothly. Maintaining excellent customer service and adhering to best practices in legally compliant fundraising are also key aspects of this role. 

We are looking for enthusiastic and committed individuals who are flexible and willing to dedicate their time to this important cause. Strong communication and organisational skills are essential, along with the ability to work both independently and as part of a team. A friendly and approachable demeanour is crucial, as volunteers will interact with staff, fellow volunteers, and members of the public during events and campaigns. 

By joining as a Fundraising Volunteer, you’ll make a meaningful impact by helping to generate vital resources for animal welfare. This role offers the opportunity to develop new skills, meet like-minded people, and be a part of a compassionate and supportive community. Your efforts will directly contribute to improving the lives of animals in need, making this a highly rewarding volunteering opportunity. 

Corporate volunteer days with the RSPCA offer an inspiring opportunity for your business to make a meaningful impact on the lives of animals in need while fostering teamwork and engagement within your team. By partnering with us, your company will not only support a trusted and well-recognised charity but also demonstrate a commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) and community involvement. 

Your team will have the chance to engage in hands-on activities, from assisting with animal care to supporting fundraising events, all while gaining a deeper understanding of our work. These experiences boost employee morale, strengthen team bonds, and align your company with a cause that truly matters. 

Additionally, your involvement helps raise your brand's profile, improves local media coverage, and provides engaging content for CSR reports. Together, we can rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome even more animals in need. Get in touch today to discuss how we can collaborate! 

The role of a Branch Trustee is essential in directing and overseeing the daily operations of our charity. Trustees work collaboratively to support the aims and policies of the RSPCA and ensure the branch meets the Minimum Animal Welfare Standards. Key responsibilities include developing and reviewing the branch's short- and long-term goals, participating in committee meetings, and promoting the charity to recruit new trustees and volunteers. Trustees also work closely with the Branch Partnership Manager and national RSPCA staff to uphold the charity's mission and values. 

We are particularly seeking individuals with expertise in charity retail, fundraising, and other areas such as marketing, community engagement, and grant applications. Candidates should have a passion for animal welfare and the creativity and innovation needed to grow the branch’s impact. Experience in building local relationships and working with diverse communities is highly valued. The ideal candidate will also be committed to promoting the charity’s objectives and contributing fresh ideas to drive meaningful change. 

As a Branch Trustee, you will play a vital role in shaping the future of the charity while making a direct impact on animal welfare in your community. This rewarding role offers the chance to develop leadership skills, work alongside a dedicated team, and help advance the RSPCA’s mission. Your contributions will ensure the branch operates efficiently, maintains its high standards, and continues to improve the lives of animals in need. 

How to apply

To apply for a volunteer position, please complete our online application form. Once submitted, our Volunteer Coordinator will review your application and be in touch to arrange an induction. This induction will provide all the information and training you need to get started and ensure you feel confident in your new role. We look forward to welcoming you to our team!