A helping HAND
When you spend time helping
others, there are wonderful
rewards for all concerned, as
volunteersJuliaandJaneexplain
VOLUNTEERING
SPECIAL
PART 2‘Seeing them grow
in confidence
issofulfilling’
D
oing a favour for
a friend, lending
a hand, or going the
extra mile for a neighbour
brings happiness to you, as
well as to them. The National
Council for VoluntaryOrganisations says that
volunteering helps us feel
better, stay happier and live
longer, so giving really is
good for you. Here’s how
it’s changed these women’s
lives for the better...Caring for
rescued animals
Julia Davis, 46, a former
primary-school teacher,
from Kent, volunteers at
the Leybourne RSPCA
animal shelter.
‘I started doing dog-
walking privately, to keep
myself fit, and then I came
across the voluntary roles
on the RSPCA website –
they seemed perfect as
I’m absolutely fanatical
about
animals.
The
volunteers
are all so
friendly
andwelcoming,andI’ve
learntsomuchfromthem.
I thinka lotof mums
willagreethatyoudon’t
alwaysfeelvaluedin a
busyhomeenvironment,with
teenagers
coming
and
going,
so at the
RSPCA centre
it’s great to know
I’m making
a real difference.
Seeing the change in the
animals over time, as they
rehabilitate
and become
more
confident is so
fulfilling. The
rewardof
seeingananimalyou’ve
workedwithgoinghome
to starta newlifewith
a newfamilyis amazing.
Therehavebeenoneor
twoanimalsthatI’vegot
quiteattached
to,whichcanbe
difficult,and
obviouslysome
of thecasesthat
comein are
heartbreaking.
Overtime,I’ve
learnedto be
pragmaticaboutit, especiallythe cruelty
cases.It’sawfulto see, but at
leastI knowthat they’re now
in a safeenvironment at the
centreandreceiving the
veterinarycareand treatment
theydeserve.
Asa child,all I really
wantedto dowas work with
animals,andnow I’m doingwhat I always dreamed of.
I can’t wait to get to the
centre – and I think that
says a lot, doesn’t it? It’s the
best thing I’ve ever done.’
✿ For more information
about volunteering
with the RSPCA, please
visit rspca.org.uk/
getinvolved/volunteerJulia is a
self-confessed
animal fanatic!Doing what she’s
always dreamed ofWORDS: AMIE-JO LOCKE