Animal Outreach Volunteer

Who we are:

Noah’s A.R.T. is a family-run, community-based, not-for-profit social enterprise. It was founded in 2015 with a mission: to utilise the benefits of the human-animal bond to improve mental health and wellbeing in Greater Manchester. 

• We will provide on the job training, a volunteer induction and access to supervision if needed.
• We also provide invaluable training opportunities in a variety of areas with ourselves and other organisations.
• We will pay travel expenses and other expenses within reason (to be discussed with a member of staff prior to making a claim).
• We provide a friendly and welcoming work environment and are understanding of differing individual circumstances; we try to be flexible where possible in order to accommodate.
• If you have volunteered with us for three months or more we will be able to provide you with a reference.

What are we looking for?

We are looking for someone over 18 who can: 

• Manage potentially triggering situations; we visit mental health wards, care homes and eating disorder wards where you may be exposed to dementia or obvious instances of self harm.
• Engage with challenging clients such as those with neurodiversities or those who may be heavily medicated. 
• Whilst supervision is available you must be confident in your ability to manage your own mental well being.

Useful but non-essential abilities include:

• Driver
• Knowledge of mental health needs.
• Experience working with children, young people and/or vulnerable adults.
• Animal welfare knowledge.
• We ask volunteers to provide two references if possible.
• We require a DBS check.
• Volunteers are expected to complete the online induction as well as attend relevant training.

What would you be doing as a volunteer?

You would be supporting animal-assisted intervention visits to venues including care homes, schools, hospitals and community groups. These sessions, whilst extremely valuable to both our volunteers and those who benefit from them, are also quite demanding. This role is best suited to confident individuals who want to gain experience working with animals in a variety of community and healthcare settings.

You would be visiting services at various locations across Greater Manchester, whilst it is possible to meet us on location assistance with packing and unpacking at our base is always appreciated.

Main duties include: 

• Communicate promptly with the volunteer coordinator and lead therapists.
• Work as a team with the lead therapist and other volunteers .
• Support clients to interact with the animals.  
• Be friendly, empathetic and attentive to clients’ needs.
• Ensure you assist with packing up the animals, setting out appropriate spaces whilst on the visit and tidying up on return.
• Maintain animal welfare standards during sessions.
• Understand the selection of animals for therapy work and suitability of animals with different clients.
• Promote the safety of the animals during sessions, including allowing them to have the choice to interact or retreat.
• Handle the animals confidently as needed.
• Recognise the signs of stress in the animals and understand how to reduce stress.
• Recognise signs of illness or injury in the animals.
• Be aware of behaviour changes in the animals and report this to Noah’s A.R.T. staff.
• Report any incidents such as nipping, biting, etc. (to self or participants).#

You would be volunteering on Mondays or Fridays interchangeably

Are there any additional benefits?

• The chance to make a difference.
• Enjoy new experiences & develop new skills.
• Excellent training opportunities.
• Reasonable expenses covered.
• Be a part of an amazing team and meet new people.
• Gain experience working with animals.
• Opportunity to meet others who care about animals.
• Improve self esteem and confidence.
• The chance to contribute to the work of Noah’s A.R.T.
• Gain experience of animal-assisted interventions.
• Gain experience working with a wide range of people with differing needs.
• Opportunity to support others.
• The potential to gain the experience needed for a paid position.