Volunteering

At the RSPCA we want everyone to be able to take part in our work to improve animal welfare, and are working hard to remove barriers that may make it harder for disabled people to take part in volunteering. Barriers can include things like a lack of knowledge about how to make reasonable adjustments, or how to ask people about their disability.

Volunteer experience

Our remote volunteering roles remain our most accessible and representative of the UK population. As of 2024, we had 1,063 Wildlife Friends.

We offer two remote, self service volunteering roles (Microvolunteers and Wildlife Friends) that are the most representative of the UK population. For example, 11 percent of our Wildlife Friends identify as Asian (including mixed Asian heritage), exceeding the average of six percent for our overall volunteers across England and Wales. Also, 70 percent of our Microvolunteers are aged 16–34, compared to 50 percent of our overall volunteers.

I’ve been an RSPCA branch manager for more than 25 years, and my mum is a nurse. The same way she used to talk about unpaid carers being vital to stop the NHS collapsing, the same way I think about our volunteers. Without them, we just couldn’t survive.

Branch manager

Volunteer adjustment passport

We are currently getting daily messages from parents/support workers and charitable agencies asking for placements for people with additional needs/health considerations, mostly learning disabilities and neurodiversity. And we've seen a big increase in requests from young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Often these people are not close to any of our establishments and/or we're not recruiting in that area.

Our Volunteer Adjustment Passport records the reasonable adjustments agreed by the volunteer and their volunteer coordinator to make sure they are able to carry out the role in a safe and comfortable way. This passport, which can be reviewed regularly to check its continued efficacy, provides an opportunity for the volunteer to explain the changing needs of their health condition and will help us to respond swiftly and sensitively to changes.

85% of volunteers*

Strongly agreed with the statement: “I understand the importance of equity, diversity, and inclusion to the RSPCA”.

*From our June 2023 survey

Types of volunteer

Remote Volunteers

Volunteers who complete tasks at home or in the community and not at an RSPCA establishment, usually in a self-service role.

Micro Volunteers

Micro Volunteers are Remote Volunteers who complete a variety of virtual tasks that benefit animals, including signing petitions, sharing campaigns and collecting data.

Wildlife Friends

Remote Volunteers who complete a variety of tasks that benefit wildlife in their local area, including making treats, habitats and leaving water out for animals.

Placement with the Head of Environment and Sustainability

The Volunteer Experience team contacted Jen Kowalyk, Head of Environment and Sustainability, about a speculative enquiry from someone with data and administration skills.

“I had to take early retirement last year at 53, due to inheriting a neurological condition that affects my speech and balance. As a result I can only work from home. I have a background for 27 years in financial services and administration. I would like to volunteer my time (about two full days a week) for the charity. I need to find a suitable job, that I could do from home.”

Jen has extended a warm welcome to this volunteer and they continue to support her team today. Jen has enabled remote working, hours to suit and included them in team meetings.

Volunteering at the RSPCA has brought meaning back into my life and helped me realign with my own values, which is amazing!

Anonymous

The RSPCA and Duke of Edinburgh volunteering partnership

The RSPCA is working with the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, to design a remote, self-service volunteer offer for young people aged 14 and over. The scheme is delivered via a digital workbook which contains tasks and a reporting system so the young person can chart their progress.

We are one of a handful of charities widening the definition of volunteering to include remote and self-service tasks (with the supervision of a self-appointed sponsor). The scheme has been designed to allow young people who might otherwise have difficulty volunteering in person (for example owing to caring responsibilities, health conditions, family commitments, financial constraints) to get involved.