RSPCA Guildford and Epsom Branch

What does it involve?

Assisting at one or more of our promotional or fundraising events throughout the year within the Guildford and Epsom branch area (we aim to visit the major towns and some of the outlying villages)

Aims

We are in need of volunteers to join our events team on an adhoc basis to help out with the preparation, planning and running of events throughout the branch area. This could include information stands to help raise the profile of our work, manning stalls at fairs selling RSPCA products and bric-a-brac, or helping with collections at local businesses or superstores. 

Although there is no direct animal contact, this role can make a huge difference to the animals in need in the local area, as you will be raising funds and/or awareness of our work and the animals we have in our care for re-homing.

Ideally suits

Anyone! This opportunity would be ideal for individuals (or small groups) wanting to help out at a local charity but who are not necessarily able to commit to set days or times. Volunteers are needed for weekday, weekend, early evening and day time events.

You do need a friendly personality as the work involves dealing with members of the public.

No prior experience is required as we will provide training and support. Someone from the Branch will also be present on the day, along with other volunteers for you to hand over to or take over from. Well behaved dogs are also most welcome, and can make the experience even more enjoyable for you.

Some of our events are on bus routes or if necessary we may be able to offer a lift to those who don’t have their own transport

Key activities 

One or more of the following (you choose which events and activities you wish to help with): 

• Attendance at organised event, covering for an agreed time slot
• Administrative help such as welcoming the public and taking contact details

• Collecting money in a sealed tin at supermarket/garden centre/trains station/high street collections which has been organised by the Branch fundraising co-ordinator

• Identifying and recruiting new volunteers to assist at events

• Whilst at the event, encouraging the public to donate to the RSPCA by being a good ambassador for the charity

• Assisting with enquiries from the public/taking contact details for follow up by the RSPCA team

• Helping with raffles or seeking donations from businesses

• Setting up or packing up stall and tables

• Poster and flyer distribution

• Sale of merchandise - all goods are priced (in easy round sums!) and change is available for you to give to the donors

Time commitment

Flexible –dependent upon what you want to offer us. It can be as little as 1 hour a year or a couple of hours every other month.

Event times are typically as follows:

Stores

Mon to Sat     9am until 7pm

Sun                 10am until 4pm

High Streets

Sat                  10am until 5pm

Train stations

Weekdays       6am until 9.30am and 5pm until 8pm

Community events

Weekdays       12pm until 4 pm

The charitable objectives of the RSPCA are to promote kindness and prevent or suppress cruelty to animals by all lawful means.

The branch promotes animal welfare in the local area primarily through veterinary assistance, neutering and re-homing. We run a voucher scheme which assists local people with veterinary bills for treatment and neutering. It also helps to control dog and cat populations, thereby promoting responsible pet ownership.

The branch assists the RSPCA animal centres, mainly Millbrook and South Godstone, with re-homing unwanted and abused animals by home-visiting.  We also pay for veterinary treatment of stray animals and wildlife attended to by the Inspectorate in our branch area.

The RSPCA provides advice for owners on animal care. It also helps animals brought to us for rehoming because their owners are unable or unwilling to keep them. Ill treated or injured animals are cared for by the Society. The public benefits from knowing that we can intervene to assist animals in need.

We have a website to raise awareness of the activities of the branch and to help members get more involved. We provide volunteering opportunities for those who wish to support our work, including trusteeship, fundraising and home visiting. This benefits local people and companies by providing the possibility of doing work which is compassionate and rewarding.

We also have to fundraise to enable us to continue with our charitable work. The RSPCA receives no government or lottery funding.