Author - RSPCA ADMIN

We are looking for enthusiastic volunteers to work with our dedicated and hardworking team at our Stowmarket Charity Shop on a Saturday.

Our Stowmarket Shop is friendly and welcoming with an extensive range of goods – something for everybody!

As a volunteer, you would help serve customers, sort stock, and even help make window displays; if that is something you would enjoy. But the role is so much more than that.

Our shops are a local hub of activity, and you’ll be helping RSPCA Suffolk Central raise vital funds to help animals in need in Suffolk.

It would be helpful if you have worked in retail or have previous customer service but not essential, as we are looking for people who love animals, are passionate about making a difference in their community, and want to contribute their time and skills.   It’s an exciting opportunity to join our already existing team of loyal volunteers.

Together, we can create positive change for animals in need in Suffolk.

*We ask that you make a regular commitment to your shift*

Can you help us clean up your local area? We are looking to help create a safer and healthier world for animals on land and in the water. So put on your high vis, put on some gloves and take action against litter!

The woodland around our animal centre in Martlesham is a fantastic community space, popular with families and dog walkers. It is important that this space is kept clean to encourage local wildlife to thrive within a suitable environment. We will work together as one RSPCA team to do something practical and help prevent wildlife being affected by this litter.                          

Date and time

Monday 23 March 2024

Meet at 10:00hrs for briefing and kit issue (see below for location)

Event finishes at about 12:00/12:30hrs 

Registering as a volunteer

We have equipment for up to 30 volunteers to take part in this event.

To find out more or to register your space, please email lorna.goodwin@rspca-suffolkcentral.org.uk

Location and meeting point

Walk Farm Woods Car Park
Felixstowe Rd
Martlesham
Woodbridge IP12 4PB

We look forward to seeing you there![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

We are recruiting a Part-Time Branch Assistant to work 15 hours over 3 days (Monday – Friday) with flexibility for additional hours including occasional evenings and weekends.

Are you seeking an interesting, varied part-time role for a cause you care about? Do you have a can-do attitude and a desire to make a difference? If so, this unique opportunity to join the RSPCA Suffolk Central Branch team could be for you.

RSPCA Suffolk Central is looking for an organised, helpful, and efficient individual to support our fundraising and administration team with both practical and admin tasks.

Your excellent customer service skills and can-do attitude will mean you love to help others and thrive on getting things done. From adding supporter information to our database to organising equipment for fundraising events, and filing documents, this role will be varied and rewarding.

You will work at our Animal Centre in Martlesham, supporting your colleagues in both routine and ad hoc tasks. You will be a confident IT user, ideally with some database experience, and happy to learn new systems. You will be flexible, adaptable, and happy to juggle tasks and work to deadlines.

As well as desk-based tasks, you will help with practical activities such as loading vans for events and providing tours of our Animal Centre to donors. You will therefore have excellent customer service skills and be prepared to get stuck in wherever needed.

You will represent the Branch through face-to-face and written communications, so you will have excellent communication skills and a passion for our work.

This is a fixed-term part-time position initially for six months, with scope for additional hours at weekends to represent the Branch at events, and the potential for the role to be made permanent in the future.

Please ensure you include a covering letter as well as your CV when applying.

Applications are accepted via Indeed.com – please click here or email to the Operations Administrator Kate Grimwood on kate.grimwood@rspca-suffolkcentral.org.uk

To see the full Job Description click here

Closing date 5pm on Friday 1^st March 2024

Please note that applicants will be screened and invited to interview on a rolling basis, and the post may be closed before the closing date if a suitable candidate is found.

Welfare Assistant – Part-Time: 30 hours over 5 days (Mon – Fri)

Would you like to make a difference to the lives of animals in Suffolk using your excellent administration and customer service skills? If so, this unique opportunity to join the RSPCA Suffolk Central Branch team could be for you.

RSPCA Suffolk Central is looking for a calm, organised and customer-focussed individual to support our welfare and animal service activities at our Clinic, Animal Centre and online via our Welfare Assistance Scheme.

You will work at our Ipswich Clinic two days a week, welcoming clients and helping to keep administration records and physical resources in good order. You will play a fundamental role in a digitisation project to get our clinic records on our computer system AniLog, and will help with practical tasks such as cleaning, as well as booking in clients and taking medication orders. You will also act as a key holder and oversee the running of the clinic in the Clinic Administrator’s absence.

For the rest of the week, you will be based at our Animal Centre in Martlesham, administering our welfare and neutering assistance scheme through issuing email vouchers to clients and our partner vets. You will also support the Animal Centre team by providing regular Reception cover and undertaking admin tasks such as collating information or statistics.

From time to time, you will go out into the community, visiting our partner vets to help maintain good working relationships. You may also be required to help with practical tasks at our Animal Centre such as cleaning and tidying to ensure the smooth running of the centre.

At the heart of the role is a need to be patient, kind and keen to help others. You will also be happy to get stuck in where needed with practical tasks and have strong IT and admin skills.

This is an incredibly rewarding role which will see you truly at the heart of animal welfare operations in the RSPCA Suffolk Central Branch.

Please ensure you include a covering letter as well as your CV when applying.

Applications are accepted via Indeed or email to the Operations Administrator

kate.grimwood@rspca-suffolkcentral.org.uk

Indeed Link

Closing date 5pm on Tuesday 20^th February 2024

Please note, that applicants will be screened and invited to interview on a rolling basis. The vacancy may be closed prior to the closing date if a suitable candidate is found.

Chilli the pug came to us through no fault of her own.

She is a very sweet and excitable little girl, who is so full of beans. She enjoys being in the company of her favourite people and loves a quick game of fetch with her favourite stuffed toys.

Chilli will need an operation once she is settled in her new home for bilateral luxating patella, and potential BOAS surgery. Currently these conditions mean Chilli is unable to walk for long and she struggles with her breathing, which can be distressing for her and her new owners.

If you are able to donate any amount to help us cover the costs of the veterinary bill which will be at least £3,000*, we would be very grateful. You can donate via Just Giving here.

Having this operation will means that Chilli will be able to begin to live a life free of health issues, with a wonderful new family – something she throughly deserves.

If you are interested in adopting Chilli, do please get in touch with our team on 0300 999 7321.

Thank you

*Any money raised in excess of what is needed will be used to cover other veterinary treatment that the animals in our care require.

Volunteer this year!

New year is a great time for starting something new, and what better activity to add to your schedule than a spot of volunteering?!

Over 170 people in Suffolk volunteer for RSPCA Suffolk Central, but we still need extra help and support.

If you could give some time this year, whether it is a regular commitment or a one-off gesture, we’d love to hear from you.

For a volunteer application form or to find out more about volunteer roles email volunteering@rspca-suffolkcentral.org.uk

Here are some of the roles we particularly need help with in 2024…

Volunteer Collectors

Collectors give just two hours on a Saturday once or twice a year to help collect donations at local supermarkets. We match you to your nearest store and pair you with another volunteer. We always tell you how much has been raised so you know exactly how much of a difference you make. It is an easy way to volunteer and help animals in Suffolk.

Collection Coordinator – West Suffolk

Are you good at organising? Do you know the Bury, Sudbury and Haverhill area well? Could you give a few hours each month to help coordinate store collections in West Suffolk? We are seeking someone with good administration and people skills to liaise with supermarkets and volunteers to organise store collections in West Suffolk. You will arrange rotas, coordinate the delivery of collection materials, and help count the proceeds, all from the comfort of your own home!

Event Volunteers – Set-Up

Can you put up a gazebo? Are you happy to lift and carry boxes and equipment? If so, we need you! Our events are great fun, but manning a stall is not for everyone. Some people are better suited to getting stuck into to the set up and breakdown of events, including putting up gazebos, moving tables, and erecting banners. Pick and choose the events you can help us at and give a couple of hours to help make the stand look amazing so we can raise lots of money!

Event Volunteers – Stand/Stall Holder

Do you enjoy talking to people? We need friendly, outgoing volunteers to welcome people to our event stands and help them participate in activities such as surveys, raffles, and competitions. You will be told about the latest projects the charity is working towards and be briefed on the animals in need of new homes, so that you can talk with confidence about how we are helping animals in Suffolk. You will also meet and spend time with other members of the events team including staff, volunteers, and trustees, meaning you will truly be a part of the RSPCA Suffolk Central family.

Coffee Shop Volunteers

We need friendly, efficient volunteers to help serve coffee and cakes, greet customers, and keep the area clean and tidy at our new coffee shop in Bury St Edmunds on the Bartons Retail Park. The coffee machine is easy to use with a push-button function, and all food comes pre-prepared, so no specialist skills are required. You will be spending time in a bright, welcoming environment and helping to generate funds for animals in need of rescue and rehoming. Great for work experience, broadening your skills, or giving some time back to a cause you love.

Volunteer Spotlight On Tracey Colchester Home Visitor (Pictured)           

“I have volunteered as a home visitor for many years. I visit people to check out the suitability of their dwelling, and visit afterwards to see how their new family member has settled in.

It has been a delight getting to meet so many people and animals, and in so many different places. I’ve visited mansions and small flats. But all these places look like home to me.

The common theme is that the people adopting animals are always of the same mindset. They always have amazing tales to tell of animals they have taken in in the past, or friends they have lost and seek to replace. Or just a desire to help a distressed or lonely creature.  Many share the joy of finding a new companion and friend.

I have met people who were delightfully eccentric, elderly people who were lonely, and children in need of a playmate. There have only been a few occasions where I have felt the place was unsuitable for this animal. Almost always I’ve been able to help unite people with their perfect pet.

It’s never a chore. I think the only problem is that I often want to take the animal home with me instead!”

Are you ready for a new challenge? Could your customer service, management or retail experience help support our successful and established charity shop?

Part-Time:  14 hours per week with flexibility to work additional hours.

We have an upcoming vacancy for a Deputy Shop Manager at our Felixstowe charity shop. As Deputy you will support the manager to help raise vital funds to prevent cruelty and inspire compassion towards animals in our community.

The successful candidate will have great communication and customer service skills and have proven skills and experience in one or more of the following: retail, merchandising, stock control, volunteer management.

You will need to be computer literate and adept at using the EPOS (till) system. Duties will include managing the shop and volunteers in the managers absence, sorting, pricing and merchandising stock, maximising income through promoting Gift Aid and other initiatives with customers, and upholding compliance with current legislation and Branch and National Society policy and procedures to ensure the safe and efficient running of the shop.

To apply follow this link:  https://uk.indeed.com/jobs?q=RSPCA&l=Suffolk&from=searchOnHP&vjk=7cf318f2ef88395d

For a Job Description/Person Specification click here or contact Kate Grimwood our Operations Administrator at kate.grimwood@rspca-suffolkcentral.org.uk