You could be a driving force for the RSPCA

The RSPCA is looking for someone with a driving ambition to help animals in the Greater Manchester area.

Among the animal charity’s latest volunteer vacancies is a role for a volunteer driver serving its Greater Manchester Animal Hospital.

The RSPCA’s animal logistics team is seeking someone who can commit to being a volunteer on a long-term basis and can complete a variety of journeys transporting animals to and from vets, private boarding establishments, animal centres and hospitals.

Journeys will be undertaken in an RSPCA van, based at its hospital in Salford, on weekdays during normal office hours.

Van driving is an important volunteering role as it helps free up the time of the RSPCA’s frontline staff so they can respond directly to calls where animals are in need.

Among the RSPCA’s army of volunteer drivers is Joan Weir, who has been helping out since October last year.

Joan collects and delivers animals across the West Midlands and says she enjoys the interaction with staff, while volunteering has helped boost her self-esteem. 

Joan said: “The role interested me as since losing my mum I had become a bit of a recluse.

"I have always loved driving so it seemed the perfect fit for me.

“My favourite part of volunteering is getting out and about meeting the staff at different centres and knowing the animals are all being looked after.

"It is good to play some part in their journey and know that when they are adopted they will have a happier life.”

The RSPCA has enjoyed a boom in volunteer numbers in recent months, helped by over 1,000 people signing up to be a Wildlife Friend as part of the Big Help Out initiative to mark King Charles III’s Coronation.

Around 1,500 people applied for volunteer roles with the charity in a two-month period.

The RSPCA marked the recent Volunteers’ Week (June 1-7) by celebrating the fantastic contribution of its existing volunteer base.

The charity hopes to recruit even more people who can help make a difference to the lives of animals. 

RSPCA head of volunteering Brian Reeves said: “The time our volunteers give willingly, along with their commitment and dedication to animals and animal welfare is phenomenal.

"Every volunteer in every role at the RSPCA is appreciated and should take pride in the fact that they are changing the lives of animals.”

There is a huge variety of roles that can suit all types of people at the charity’s volunteer hub.

Applicants for the volunteer van driver role in Greater Manchester will need a valid, manual driving licence.

They will receive online training and a face-to-face induction.

All kit will be provided by the RSPCA, who will reimburse any expenses incurred as mileage allowance. 

Anyone interested can apply online.

Meanwhile, the RSPCA is still recruiting for Wildlife Friends to help protect and nurture wildlife by carrying out a variety of simple tasks in their gardens and local communities.

---

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.