Animal volunteer roles

About The Role

By caring for amphibians and supporting the Toad Hall exhibit, this role plays a vital part in conservation education and biodiversity protection. Volunteers help raise awareness of wetland species and the threats they face by engaging the public through interactive presentations, inspiring visitors to value and support wetland conservation.

What will you be doing:

• General animal husbandry such as feeding, water changes, and exhibit maintenance.
• Data recording for life support systems.
• General maintenance of public and back of house areas
• Helping with new projects and stock management.
• Conducting interactive presentations to engage the general public in the work of WWT, the amphibians in the Toad Hall exhibit, and wider conservation messages (training provided)
• Research and observations recording
• Adhering to all bio-security and hygiene protocols across the Living Collections

Volunteers are an essential part of the WWT team. You'll get a warm welcome, including information on training, equipment and anything else you need. 

Just to let you know, some of our roles are very popular. To help our teams and minimise disappointment for people kind enough to want to support us, we might take roles down before the closing date if we get a lot of applications. To avoid disappointment, please apply as soon as possible and include as much detail as possible in your application. If you do miss a role, or are looking for something particular, you can sign up to opportunity alerts. 

If you are interested in volunteering for WWT but don't wish to apply online, please email us, or give us a call. 

About You

Who are we looking for?

There are two parts to this role: assisting with daily animal management duties in the Living Collections department and engaging our visitors on the amphibians and the work of Living Collection. Both aspects are equally important, and so we are looking for volunteers with the following:

• Basic animal husbandry knowledge, with a particular interest in amphibians would be advantageous
• Excellent customer service skills; confidence and enthusiasm when engaging the public
• Good physical health – this role will involve some manual handling
• Good attention to detail and able to follow instructions
• The ability to work on your own initiative under the direction of the Ectotherm team, following strict animal care protocols.

 The role would be enjoyable for those who love working closely with animals, educating others, and gaining hands-on experience in an internationally important wetland site.

About Us

We’re WWT, and we’re on a mission to restore the super-powered ecosystems we call wetlands. There’s never been a more important moment for our work, and we’ve got some phenomenal people on the case.

Whether they’re taking a new visitor under their wing, or conducting ground-breaking research further afield, our team are second to none. And there’s nothing we love more than watching them soar.

Whatever you do here, you’ll be helping to restore wetlands and unlock their power. So, the only question left is, what role will you play?

Why you'll love volunteering at WWT

• Feel good knowing you are helping to restore wetlands, and our world
• Be surrounded and inspired by like-minded wetland lovers
• Hear from the people who inject their energy, passion and expertise into wetlands and wildlife - talks, walks, webinars, tea and cake...
• Free entry to all our wetland centres, including your family
• Volunteer discount on shopping and memberships
• Access to webinars and practical information to help you manage daily life

We look forward to hearing from you! 

ANIMAL FOSTERER

RSPCA ESSEX SOUTH, SOUTHEND AND DISTRICT

We are looking for animal-loving volunteers to play a vital role in helping us improve the well-being of our furry friends whilst they wait to be rehomed. Can you help them by providing a calm and caring home whilst we find their perfect furever home?

We are seeking caring and dedicated foster caregivers to join our small team and help us support the dogs and cats in our care.

As a foster, you would be supporting your local RSPCA branch in providing our animals with the safety of your home whilst tending to their welfare needs. In addition to this, by providing a temporary loving environment, you will play a crucial role in an animal’s wellbeing and socialisation, which will significantly improve their chances of successful rehoming.

Once everything is in place, the animal centre will guide you through the fostering process and ensure that you have all the necessary equipment, food, and veterinary care for your foster. The RSPCA is also happy to reimburse any other pre-agreed expenses that you may incur through volunteering for us.

Whilst our animals are in your foster care, you will:

•   Provide them with care, suitable housing, and a safe environment as per our policies and guidelines.
•  Feed, water, and groom them in line with our advice.
•  Transport them to any veterinary appointments if required.
•  Provide them with your time and patience.
•  Help us spread the word about the animals in your care so they might find their forever home quicker.
•  Playing and cuddling are also a must!                                                                                      

                                                                                                                                                     
What we are looking for in a volunteer:

•  Volunteers aged 18 or over who have had plenty of experience caring for animals.
•  For their well-being, the whole family should be on board with fostering an animal.
•  Any existing pets or animals need to have been spayed/neutered (some medical reasons may mean they can’t be so, please let us know if this is the case).
•  Experienced caring for dogs or cats - the animals in our care have different needs, some are ready for rehoming, others may require rehabilitation or have ongoing health issues.
•  For dogs, you will need direct access to a private, secure garden for house training and off-leash playtime
•  For cats, you will need a spare room/secure, separate space for them
•  Plenty of time to spend with the dog/cat
•  Any existing pets need to be spayed/neutered
• Own car to transport the animal to veterinary appointments as required

 What we can offer you as a volunteer Fosterer

• You will be making a massive difference to the welfare of the animals in your care.
•  Join a community which will enable you to meet new people and make new friends.
•  Learning new skills through our comprehensive induction and fostering training programme.
•  Enhance your CV by adding your volunteering experience and newly acquired skills.

Ideally, foster volunteers should live within our branch’s district (postcodes SS0–SS12). We ask for a minimum commitment of three months to ensure the animals receive the love and stability they need.
                                                                                                                                                                                                     
It is worth mentioning that our animals do have different needs as whilst some are ready for rehoming others may require rehabilitation or ongoing medication. Therefore, we also aim to understand your situation and circumstances to ensure that we match you with your perfect foster animal.

How to Apply:

If you’ve got the drive and compassion to volunteer with the RSPCA and are passionate about improving animal welfare, we’d love to hear from you!

Please visit our website to learn more about what we do.

Volunteer Cat Fosterers Needed 

Do you have a safe, calm, and caring home where a cat in need could stay while we help them find their fur-ever home? The RSPCA is looking for new volunteer fosterers to join our team and provide temporary care for cats — from strays and abandoned pets to even feral cats who need patient, understanding fosterers. 

What you’ll be doing: 

• Offering cats a safe, warm, and loving temporary home. 

• Helping cats build confidence, whether they are friendly pets or more nervous ferals. 

• Attending vet appointments when required. 

• Working with us to give updates on your foster cat’s progress. 

What we’re looking for: 

• Volunteers aged 18 or over who are confident and comfortable around cats — including strays and ferals. 

• No previous fostering experience needed — just patience, commitment, and a genuine love of cats. 

• Applicants must be available to foster for the RSPCA and not currently volunteering with other animal charities. 

• You don’t need to live alone, but all family members (and pets) must be cat friendly. 

• Located in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, and surrounding areas. 

What’s in it for you? 

• Make a real difference to the lives of cats in need. 

• Gain new skills, training, and experience in animal care. 

• Join a supportive community of fellow volunteers. 

• Enhance your CV with valuable volunteering experience. 

• All food, bedding, and equipment provided. 

Practical Considerations: 

• You may need to complete a simple online Health & Safety course before fostering begins. 

• Ideally, you’ll have a spare room or calm space where foster cats can settle safely. 
  
  Our voluntary roles are subject to: 

• An informal interview and trial period. 

• Two referees – which may be sourced from an educational institution or as personal references 

• Completion of relevant training and assessments. 

Do you love quizzes, entertaining people and raising money for animals? We’re looking for volunteers to run our regular pub quizzes and keep the fun going.

Quizzes are held at:

• The Barn Owl, Quedgeley – 6pm on the last Sunday of the month
• The Old Crown Inn, Uley – 7pm on the fourth Wednesday of the month

What you’ll be doing: Choose from two volunteer roles at each quiz:

1. Host – Read out the questions, keep scores, announce winners and keep things lively.
2. Welcome Lead – Sign in teams, sell raffle tickets and help answer any queries.

What you’ll need:

• Confident public speaking and a clear, engaging style
• Friendly and welcoming manner
• Organised, with cash-handling experience useful

What’s in it for you:

• Induction and support
• A fun way to meet people and get involved
• Build communication and event skills
• A reference for study or work
• Make a real difference for animals

Calling all animal lovers! We're looking for passionate volunteers to join Team Teckels at our charity shop in Stroud.

Teckels rescue, rehabilitate and rehome hundreds of vulnerable cats and dogs every year. Your support in our charity shop will make a massive impact on their lives.

We have customer facing and non-customer facing roles available. Shifts will be planned according to your availability and the shop opening hours of Tuesdays to Saturdays 9am to 5pm. Ideally, this will be a morning 9am to 1pm or evening 1pm to 5pm shift once a week.

We welcome volunteers whenever the shop is open, but we are especially looking for help on the shop floor on a Saturday morning or afternoon, and with sorting donations on a Friday and Saturday.c

Margaret Green Animal Rescue, a well-established and respected charity dedicated to rehoming and caring for unwanted, abandoned, and mistreated animals, is seeking a Clerk to the Board of Trustees. With centres in Dorset and Devon, the charity has been a vital part of the community for decades, offering sanctuary and second chances to animals in need.

As Clerk, you will play a key role in supporting the governance of the charity by ensuring the smooth and effective operation of the Board. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a cause that truly makes a difference.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare and distribute agendas and supporting documentation for Board meetings.
• Accurately record and produce comprehensive minutes of meetings.
• Maintain statutory records and ensure compliance with governance requirements.
• Provide procedural and constitutional advice to the Board.
• Liaise with the Chair to plan the annual cycle of meetings, topics/attendees and key governance activities.
• Support ad hoc governance tasks as required.

Requirements

• Proven experience as a Clerk to a Board, preferably in the charity or education sector.
• Excellent organisational and written communication skills.
• Strong understanding of governance, compliance, and confidentiality.
• Ability to work independently and manage deadlines.
• Based in Dorset, with the ability to attend six in-person meetings per year in Dorset and one in Devon, as well as virtual meetings via Microsoft Teams.

What We Offer

• A flexible, freelance opportunity to support a meaningful cause.
• A fixed fee of £200 per meeting, with £20/hour for additional governance support.
• The chance to work with a passionate and committed Board and leadership team.

About Margaret Green Animal Rescue

With centres including Church Knowle and Lincoln Farm in Dorset, and Wingletang in Devon, Margaret Green Animal Rescue is a registered charity (No. 1167990) that provides shelter, care, and rehoming services for cats, dogs, and other animals. The charity is committed to animal welfare and community engagement, offering boarding services and volunteer opportunities to support its mission

Help raise awareness and funds for Teckels in your local area. Our Community Volunteers champion our work, represent Teckels at events, and inspire others to get involved.

What you’ll be doing:

• Hosting stalls at local fairs and events
• Supporting supermarket collections or Pets at Home fundraising days
• Collecting donations and bringing them to the Centre
• Putting up posters, handing out leaflets, or sharing social posts
• Hosting fundraising events like bake sales or pub quizzes
• Supporting our fundraising events like the Spring, Summer and Winter Fairs and the Winter Ball

What you’ll need:

• Friendly, engaging, and confident talking to new people
• A passion for animals and Teckels’ mission
• Enthusiastic and proactive – happy to get stuck in

What’s in it for you:

• Induction, training and support
• New people, new experiences
• Skill-building and personal development
• A reference for employment or education
• A chance to help cats and dogs in your community

Make a Lasting Impact on Animal Welfare

Margaret Green Animal Rescue is Dorset’s oldest and largest animal welfare charity, with rescue and rehoming centres across Dorset and Devon. We’re dedicated to providing the highest standards of care to unwanted, abandoned, and mistreated animals — and we’re now seeking a veterinary professional to join our Board of Trustees.

As we enter an exciting phase of strategic revitalisation, your specialist knowledge will help shape the future of our charity and ensure the animals we care for receive the very best support.

�� Why We Need You

Veterinary professionals bring invaluable insight into animal welfare, health, and treatment. As a Trustee, you’ll:

• Provide expert guidance on clinical and welfare matters
• Help shape strategic decisions that impact animal care
• Support governance and compliance across our operations
• Collaborate with our Chief Executive and senior team to bridge skills gaps and maximise the impact of charitable donations

We are open to both Veterinary professionals who are currently practising or retired.

�� What You’ll Be Doing

• Attending Board meetings (6 per year, in Dorset/Devon) and occasional online sessions
• Contributing 1–2 days per month to strategic planning and oversight
• Championing best practices in animal welfare and veterinary care
• Supporting the charity’s mission to find forever homes for animals in need

�� What You’ll Gain

• A meaningful opportunity to influence animal welfare at scale
• A chance to work alongside passionate professionals and fellow Trustees
• The satisfaction of helping vulnerable animals live healthier, happier lives

�� Who Should Apply

We welcome applications from qualified vets or professionals with veterinary experience who share our passion for animal welfare. Living within an hour of our Wareham site is ideal, but not essential.

�� How to Apply

Please send your CV and a covering letter outlining your interest and relevant experience by Friday 19th September 2025. Ensure you meet the eligibility criteria for acting as a Trustee and Company Director.

Location: UK-wide (remote, with occasional in-person meetings)
Time commitment: Approx. 2-3 days per month
Remuneration: Voluntary role (reasonable expenses reimbursed)

The League Against Cruel Sports is seeking a new Chair of Trustees to provide strategic leadership to our board and support our CEO and senior team in driving forward our mission: to end cruelty to animals in the name of ‘sport’.

This is an exciting moment to join us. Following a reset earlier this year, our new CEO is reinvigorating our strategy, creating huge opportunity to build momentum and make lasting change for animals and nature. As our current Interim Chair prepares to step down, we are looking for a confident, compassionate leader to take up the baton and help shape our future direction.

We are proud to be Britain’s leading animal welfare charity tackling the use of animals in cruel sports. From securing the landmark Hunting Act 2004 to protecting animals at our wildlife reserves, through education, lobbying and campaigning, we are determined to redefine what is acceptable and inspire positive change.

As Chair, you will:

• Lead and support a committed Board of Trustees
• Partner with the CEO to ensure good governance and strategic progress
• Champion our vision, values and objectives with key stakeholders
• Help strengthen our impact and resilience for the future

We’re looking for:

• Experience of the charity sector, charity governance and an understanding of charity regulation 
• Channels and routes of influence to bolster the work of the organisation 
• A demonstrable commitment to the aims of the League, and ideally some background in the animal protection sector or adjacent sectors i.e. conservation, environment
• Excellent interpersonal skills, integrity and a collaborative mindset

Its important that candidates are able to commit the required amount of time to support the organisation, particularly through the coming period.

If you believe in a kinder future for animals and are ready to make a meaningful difference, we’d love to hear from you.

To find out more:
A candidate information pack is available on request and you are also able to have an informal conversation about the role with our CEO.

Deadline for applications: 19 September 2025

RSPCA London South East Branch

Do you have professional expertise you could use to help a good cause? Are you passionate about animal welfare? Volunteer to take the Chair at the London South East Branch and help direct all our activities which are aimed at improving animals’ lives.

Overview of the Branch Chair opportunity

This is a fantastic opportunity to improve animal welfare by playing an instrumental part in the production, monitoring and review of our Branches development plan. You will be able to influence how we raise our funds and how these are allocated in our local area.

As a minimum, trustees would normally be expected to attend a monthly committee meeting lasting some 2 to 3 hours. However, the commitment may vary depending on whether the trustee takes on additional duties.

About the RSPCA

Founded in 1824, we have been saving animals for 200 years and are proud to be the oldest welfare charity around. We are the RSPCA and it's our vision to live in a world where all animals are respected and treated with compassion. Our volunteers are incredible, they play an essential role in helping us carry out our important animal welfare work every day.

The RSPCA London South East Branch

The London South East Branch is one of the branches of RSPCA, but we are also a separately registered charity looking after animals in our local area. Much of the animal welfare work of RSPCA is carried out through local branches, which is run by volunteers who have the support of the National Society of RSPCA.

The London South East Branch has two retail shops (Sydenham Road and Norwood Road) and supports the work of the Inspectorate through rehoming of animals within the branch area.

Primary responsibilities of the Branch Chair

• Take the chair at branch committee meetings and direct the activities.

• Act jointly with all co-trustees and work closely with the branch secretary and treasurer.

• To act as co-signatory, if required, on branch cheques and ensure that proper financial procedures are always followed, in line with charity legislation.

• Ensure that all committee members are familiar with branch rules, national Society policy and their responsibilities as a charity trustee.

• Be instrumental in the production, monitoring and review of a branch strategy.

• Actively coordinate the activities of the branch, including the delegation of tasks.

• Ensure that a branch representative is appointed to the regional board and that the representative gives the committee a full report on the business conducted after each meeting.

• To ensure that all the essential roles within the committee are filled by suitable, appropriate trustees or volunteers.

Core Branch Trustee responsibilities

• Appreciate and support the aims and policies of the RSPCA.

• Work in conjunction with fellow trustees and branch officers and jointly act in making decisions for the best interest of the branch and the RSPCA.

• Work with national RSPCA staff to ensure that the branch meets all minimum animal welfare standards (MAWS).

• In conjunction with your fellow trustees and Branch Partnership Manager write, adopt, monitor, and review a development plan setting out the short and long term aims of your branch.

• Actively participate in branch committee meetings and to attend the branch annual general meeting and regional conference.

• Be aware of the outcome of regional board meetings and support local initiatives.

• Actively promote and advertise the society in an ongoing programme to recruit new branch trustees and volunteers and welcome new members.

• In conjunction with your fellow trustees, ensure the proper management and control of all activities and decisions relating to any premises held or staff employed by the branch if applicable.

What we are looking for in a volunteer:

Ideally you would have specific skills such as finance, legal, fundraising, project management, business experience, awareness of employment and/or charity legislation. These all can be useful to help ensure we have a sound and robust business model and long-term strategic development plan, however, they are not essential.

We are also looking for people who are creative, innovative, who have experience of or are part of the groups and communities we want to attract, who can bring new ideas, different experiences and fresh perspectives to the Board and help put those ideas into action.

You will need to be able to work with people and have good interpersonal skills. You do not need to be an expert, although commitment, common sense, and the ability to be objective are vital.

No previous trustee experience? That’s OK! We welcome applications from anyone interested in developing their skills by becoming a trustee and will provide relevant training.

What we can offer you as a volunteer Branch Chair

• We will provide you with a comprehensive trustee training course which will provide you with everything you need to carry out the role.

• Ongoing support is also provided by local and national RSPCA staff in addition to any additional training provided by the relevant branch.

• The platform to utilise your skills and experience to oversee the charity and make decisions that have a direct impact on local animal welfare.

• The opportunity to gain new skills and develop existing ones, whilst making a real difference to the lives of animals.

• A way to expand your professional and personal network through working with like-minded people.

Practical considerations

• Please also note that to become a Trustee, you will need to be aged 18 or over and a member of our branch for three months before you are eligible to be elected.

• Trustees are elected for a 12-month term each year.

• You will need to have your own vehicle or access to a vehicle, and your own computer or one that can be used securely.

• Reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.

• Trustees must sign a Trustee Declaration of Willingness to Act to clarify that they are not disqualified from being a trustee and read the Charity Commission’s guidance for individuals on who cannot be a trustee or senior manager of a charity.

• References will also be required.

How to find out more about being a Branch Trustee

For more information on becoming a Charity Trustee, and to ensure it is the right decision for you view the Government Charity Trustee Guidance.

There is some information on the RSPCA website about Branch Trustees, and we have an online session about Becoming a Branch Trustee, which should hopefully give you more of an idea of what the RSPCA Branch Trustee role will involve.

IAPWA (International Aid for the Protection & Welfare of Animals) is a UK-registered animal welfare charity dedicated to creating a better future for animals in need. As a small charity, who has big plans, we can’t do it without the support of volunteers and fundraisers. That’s where you come in.

Help Us Launch Our Postal Donation Project & Secure Business Sponsorship!

Are you a dynamic, results-driven individual with a passion for animal welfare and fundraising? Do you have experience in corporate relationships or securing sponsorships? Join our team and make a significant impact by helping us fund our exciting Postal Donation Project!

As part of our dedicated volunteer team, you’ll play a key role in enabling us to send donation packs to our supporters, who will fill them with preloved items and return them to us for our monthly auctions. But we need your expertise to secure the funding to make this project possible.

What You'll Do:

• Develop a Sponsorship Package: Create a compelling sponsorship proposal that outlines the benefits for businesses to support our project.

• Reach Out to Businesses: Approach local and national businesses for sponsorships, highlighting how their support will make a meaningful difference to our cause.

• Build Relationships: Cultivate strong, long-term partnerships with corporate sponsors, ensuring they feel appreciated and valued for their contribution.

• Collaborate with the Team: Work alongside other team members to ensure the successful execution of the project, including tracking donations and managing logistics.

• Help Us Reach Our Goals: Your efforts will enable us to distribute donation packs to supporters, resulting in more valuable items for our auctions and more funds raised for the animals we care for.

What We’re Looking For:

• Fundraising Experience: Ideally, you’ll have some experience in securing sponsorships or working with corporate donors, or a passion to develop these skills.

• Strong Communication Skills: You’ll be confident in reaching out to businesses and building relationships, whether in person, by phone, or via email.

• Organised and Motivated: You’ll need to stay on top of tasks, follow up on leads, and keep detailed records of your communications with sponsors.

• Team Player: You’ll be working with a small dedicated team, so a collaborative attitude is essential.

Why Volunteer With Us?

• Make a Real Difference: Securing funding can help us grow our Auctions for Animals fundraising potential. .

• Professional Growth: This role is an excellent opportunity to build on your fundraising and corporate relationship skills, while working with a supportive team.

• Flexible Commitment: Work on your own time and from home. We provide all the support you need to succeed.

Do You Enjoy Driving?

Would you like to help RSPCA Buckinghamshire South Branch raise money locally by moving stock between our two shops, taking excess stock to storage and collecting donations from local businesses?

If you have a valid driving licence, can spare 2-3 days a week, and live in or around South Bucks, you could support our vital work.

Our volunteer drivers get to meet a variety of RSPCA staff, volunteers, and animal care professionals in the South Bucks area. You'll also get a buzz knowing that your efforts are directly helping animals.

Why We Want You:

We are RSPCA Buckinghamshire South Branch, and our vision is to live in a world where all animals are respected and treated with compassion. Our volunteers are incredible—they play an essential role in helping us carry out our important animal welfare work every day.

What You Will Be Doing:

• Stock and Donation Transport:
• Move stock between our two shops (Chesham and Burnham) and their storage facilities, as required by the Shop Managers.
• Collect and deliver donations from around South Bucks to our shops.
• Remove over-sized rubbish from the shops and take it to the Amersham dump.
• Pet Food and Supplies Delivery:
• Ensure there is sufficient stock in the RSPCA Pet Food Store.
• Plan and deliver food and litter to cat fosterers at regular intervals.
• Collect and deliver bedding for small animals on a regular basis.
• General Duties:
• Carry out ad hoc transport requests from the management team.
• Undertake appropriate training as directed by the management team.

The Skills You Need:

• Aged 18 or over with a valid driving licence, happy to drive our van.
• Ability to lift, carry and handle boxes, bags and other items, safely.
• Good communication, friendly with organisational skills.
• A careful and responsible driver.
  
  What’s in It for You:
• Meet new people and be part of a dedicated team.
• Gain valuable skills and experience to enhance your CV.
• A comprehensive induction and training relevant to your role.
• Volunteer in a fun and rewarding environment at the heart of RSPCA South Bucks.
• The satisfaction of making a real difference to the welfare of animals.
• Reimbursement for any reasonable travel expenses incurred while volunteering.

Practical Considerations:

• Volunteers will be required to undertake an online and practical driving assessment.
• This role involves lifting items of various sizes and weights.
• Volunteers must use the van provided for RSPCA purposes only.
• Volunteers must not be under the influence of drugs or alcohol while driving the vehicle.

Disclaimer:

Our voluntary roles are subject to:

• An informal interview and trial period.
• Submission of two referees’ contact details.
• Completion of a simple online Health & Safety assessment.
• Online and practical driving assessments, after which you will receive a copy of our volunteer drivers’ handbook.

International Aid for the Protection & Welfare of Animals (IAPWA) is a small but mighty animal welfare charity that runs projects and campaigns to create a better future for animals in need around the world.

We’re looking for a Celebrity & Media Partnerships Volunteer to help raise IAPWA’s profile by building relationships with celebrities, influencers, and media contacts. This is a new area for us, so you’ll have the chance to shape it and make a real impact on how our campaigns, appeals, and projects reach the public, as well as amplifying the success of our fundraising initiatives.

Key Tasks

• Researching, identifying, and approaching potential celebrity, influencer, and media contacts.
• Building and maintaining long-term, positive relationships with celebrity ambassadors and public figures.
• Coordinating their involvement in IAPWA’s campaigns, appeals, fundraising and education initiatives, and major announcements.
• Helping to secure interviews, features, and other media opportunities that highlight IAPWA’s work and impact.
• Maintaining a database of celebrity and media contacts, keeping track of activity and outcomes to help us learn and grow in this area.

What We’re Looking For

• Experience in PR, media, or celebrity engagement.
• Ideally an existing network of contacts, with the confidence to expand this further.
• A proactive approach and enthusiasm for using your skills to support animal welfare.

What You’ll Gain

• A chance to use your experience and connections to make a real difference for animals worldwide.
• Flexibility to volunteer around your own schedule.
• The opportunity to help shape a brand-new area of growth within IAPWA.

RSPCA London South East Branch

This is an exciting opportunity to pass on your health and safety expertise whilst helping the RSPCA; promote kindness and prevent animal cruelty, reach out to more supporters, and influence how we do things.

Overview of the Branch Trustee - Health and Safety opportunity

We are looking for an enthusiastic and passionate person, with a background in health and safety, who could devote their time to volunteer with us as one of our trustees at the London South East Branch. This role will give you the chance to influence how we care for and prevent cruelty to animals and drive the implementation of key initiatives.

As a minimum, trustees would normally be expected to attend a monthly committee meeting lasting some 2 to 3 hours. However, the commitment may vary depending on whether the trustee takes on additional duties.

About the RSPCA

Founded in 1824, we have been saving animals for 200 years and are proud to be the oldest welfare charity around. We are the RSPCA and it's our vision to live in a world where all animals are respected and treated with compassion. Our volunteers are incredible, they play an essential role in helping us carry out our important animal welfare work every day.

The RSPCA London South East Branch

The London South East Branch is one of the branches of RSPCA, but we are also a separately registered charity looking after animals in our local area. Much of the animal welfare work of RSPCA is carried out through local branches, which is run by volunteers who have the support of the National Society of RSPCA.

The London South East Branch has two retail shops (Sydenham Road and Norwood Road) and supports the work of the Inspectorate through rehoming of animals within the branch area.

Primary responsibilities of the Branch Trustee - Health and Safety

• To act as the branch committee member with specific responsibility for informing co-trustees, branch volunteers, and staff on health and safety matters relating to branch activities, and to assist with the implementation of good health and safety practices.

• Liaise with the branch manager regarding the implementation of any new health and safety guidelines from the Society, or the branch’s health and safety provider.

• Work with staff managers to ensure that the required staff training on health and safety is carried out.

• Ensure that health & safety risk assessments including manual handling, COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations), and fire are carried out and reviewed annually.

Core Branch Trustee responsibilities

• Appreciate and support the aims and policies of the RSPCA.
• Work in conjunction with fellow trustees and branch officers and jointly act in making decisions for the best interest of the branch and the RSPCA.
• Work with national RSPCA staff to ensure that the branch meets all minimum animal welfare standards (MAWS).
• In conjunction with your fellow trustees and Branch Partnership Manager write, adopt, monitor, and review a development plan setting out the short and long term aims of your branch.
• Actively participate in branch committee meetings and to attend the branch annual general meeting and regional conference.
• Be aware of the outcome of regional board meetings and support regional initiatives.
• Actively promote and advertise the society in an ongoing programme to recruit new branch trustees and volunteers and welcome new members.
• In conjunction with your fellow trustees, ensure the proper management and control of all activities and decisions relating to any premises held or staff employed by the branch if applicable.

What we are looking for in a volunteer:

We are committed to creating a Board which is representative of our society and in particular, our community and surrounding areas so encourage people from any background to apply for any of our opportunities.

Alongside health and safety experience, we are looking for someone who is committed to the RSPCA’s charitable objectives and shares our passion for animal welfare. You would be creative, innovative, bring a fresh perspective, and can put ideas into action.

You will need to be able to work with people and have good interpersonal skills. You do not need to be an expert although commitment, common sense, and the ability to be objective are vital.

No previous trustee experience? That’s OK! We welcome applications from anyone interested in developing their skills by becoming a trustee and will provide relevant training.

What we can offer you as a volunteer Branch Trustee - Health and Safety

• We will provide you with a comprehensive trustee training course which will provide you will everything you need to carry out the role.

• Ongoing support is also provided by regional and national RSPCA staff in addition to any additional training provided by the relevant branch.

• The platform to utilise your skills and experience to oversee the charity and make decisions that have a direct impact on local animal welfare.

• The opportunity to gain new skills and develop existing ones, whilst making a real difference to the lives of animals.

• A way to expand your professional and personal network through working with like-minded people.

Practical considerations

• Please also note that to become a Trustee, you will need to be aged 18 or over and a member of our branch for three months before you are eligible to be elected.

• Trustees are elected for a 12-month term each year.

• Reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.

• Trustees must sign a Trustee Declaration of Willingness to Act to clarify that they are not disqualified from being a trustee and read the Charity Commission’s guidance for individuals on who cannot be a trustee or senior manager of a charity.

• References will also be required.

How to find out more about being a Branch Trustee

For more information on becoming a Charity Trustee, and to ensure it is the right decision for you view the Government Charity Trustee Guidance.

There is some information on the RSPCA website about Branch Trustees, and we have an online session about Becoming a Branch Trustee, which should hopefully give you more of an idea of what the RSPCA Branch Trustee role will involve.