Volunteer

Volunteering for Our Special Friends

We simply can’t do our work without the help of our wonderful volunteers. Every hour given to us can make a difference, enhancing the lives of those they are helping. Our volunteers often tell us that volunteering for Our Special Friends enriches their lives too – check out our volunteer stories.

Our Volunteer Support Manager works closely with our Volunteers to ensure that their roles are suitable and that they receive training and support.

Would you like to volunteer with us?

If so, please read our volunteer policy and find out more about the volunteer activities we offer.

If you’re interested in volunteering with us, please complete the volunteer application form (below) and we’ll contact you to discuss next steps.

Volunteer Application Form

Would you like to join our team of volunteers?

Here are just some of the volunteer activities that may be available.

Admin

Filing, data entry, general admin (office based or remote), answering the telephone

Adoption/Rehoming Support

Liaising with clients looking for new companions, researching options and accompanying them from initial enquiry to getting a new pet; knowledge of rehoming important

Advance care planning

Facilitate and document decisions for clients’ future and their pets

Ambassador

Raising awareness, distributing information/literature, media interviews, giving talks

Ancillary services provision

e.g. behaviourist, physiotherapist, groomer

Animal Welfare Support

For people interested in improving animal health and welfare as part of a team

Animal-Assisted Activity AAA

Visiting in the home or in the care setting with volunteer’s own pet
Accompanied dog walking with volunteer’s dog

Assessing and Co-ordinating

Home, clients, animals

Bereavement Support

Active listening
Signposting
Counsellor
Emotional support/befriending

Data Entry

enabling up to date records in our CRM database

Dog Walking

Walking client’s dog: accompanying clients on walks with client’s own

Driving

e.g. taking to and from vet appointments, transport for rehoming

Events organisation

Researching venues, co-ordinating participants, transporting equipment and attending events

Fundraising

Being part of a working group; organising fundraising events, collecting tins

IT Support

Alongside our existing external support contract

Marketing and PR

to support our existing marketing team

Pet Care

Feeding, emptying litter trays, poop scooping

Practical Help

e.g. fencing, mowing, site cleaning, poop scooping etc.

Short/Long Term Fostering

Looking after client’s pets in your own home

Social Media Admin

Monitor and help to manage social media items and responses

Training

Staff, dogs, volunteers, intermediaries

Transport

Driving an animal to and from vet appointments, transport for rehoming