Description

Volunteers are absolutely vital to PDSA, providing help and support in all aspects of our work: in our retail network, fundraising groups, offices and PetAid hospitals right across the UK. Volunteers help to raise money to fund our vital veterinary work and also raise awareness of the charity in the community. As well as helping PDSA you can really benefit from volunteering personally too!

What will I get out of volunteering with PDSA?

The benefits of volunteering at PDSA are endless - here are just some of them:

* Make new friends
* Become part of a valued team
* Gain valuable work experience
* Learn new skills
* Have a lot of fun
* Develop skills you already have
* Gain confidence or help others to
* Get a great sense of satisfaction and achievement
* Do things you always wanted to but thought you never would
* Help sick and injured pets as well as their worried owners

PDSA was the first UK-wide organization to be awarded the prestigious Investing in Volunteers (IiV) quality standard, after passing a vigorous assessment program, undertaken by Volunteering England.

Achieving IiV recognizes the charity's dual commitment to offer worthwhile volunteering opportunities and to demonstrate good practice in volunteer management.

Highlights

We have a fantastic variety of volunteer positions throughout the UK, from helping in one of our shops or offices and fundraising groups, to specific placements in our PetAid hospitals, all within a supportive and happy environment. Full training is given, with hours to suit you.

PDSA will try to match your interests and talents with local vacancies but here is a quick look at the various roles available:

* Retail Assistant
Helping with all aspects of running a busy charity shop - preparing donated stock for sale, pricing, helping customers, till work, display, merchandising and promoting PDSA.

* Fundraising Group Member
Organizing and helping at a huge variety of local events to raise money and awareness. These could include sponsored events, dog shows, pub quizzes, stalls at county shows, collections etc. Choose your level of involvement from Chairperson, Treasurer, Secretary etc to general helper, driver or simply making goods to sell.

* Office Administration
Helping with clerical duties, word processing, answering the telephone, banking, data input and so on at one of our administrative offices.

* PetAid Hospital Assistant
The sick and injured pets treated at our PetAid hospitals are cared for by qualified vets and nurses. However, very occasionally vacancies arise assisting the nursing staff with cleaning kennels, preparing equipment etc, helping in reception, or on the telephone.

* Manual Tasks
Such as grounds keeping, gardening, stock collectors, cleaning, erecting tents etc.

Qualifications

PDSA volunteers vary hugely in age, background and lifestyles but they have one thing in common - everyone is part of a valued and appreciated team.

To join this vital team all you have to do is volunteer; whatever time commitment you are able to give and whatever your skills and experience - with PDSA, you really can make a difference.

The minimum age to volunteer with PDSA is 14 - if you're younger than this you can still get involved and help please

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

Please inquire for more details

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

• Animal Welfare
• Veterinary

Age Range

14 and Up

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Apartment/Flat
• Other

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

Independently

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Other

Post Services Include

• Exit Debriefing Abroad

PDSA National Volunteering Centre's Mission Statement

To care for the pets of people in need by providing free veterinary services to their sick and injured animals and promoting responsible pet ownership.