Animal care volunteer jobs in Didsbury, greater manchester

Team: Research

Location: Remote

Work pattern: 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm with occasional overnight stays 

Salary: Up to £51,443 per year 

Contract: Permanent 

We are the UK’s largest cat welfare charity. All over the country, our passionate employees, volunteers and supporters are using their kindness and expertise to make life better for millions of cats and the people who care for them. 

Will you join us and make life better for cats? 

Responsibilities of our Cat Scientist - Emerging Welfare Technology 

• Support the development, validation, and practical application of feline welfare data collection tools. 

• Coordinate on-site technical logistics and data collection at UK adoption centres, including hardware deployment and software troubleshooting, while designing resilient, internet-enabled monitoring systems. 

• Use specialised programming skills to develop and maintain interactive software applications, creating user-friendly mechanisms for stakeholders to interrogate research outputs and inform management decisions. 

• Act as technical project lead for the transition of a Markerless Pose Estimation (MPE) system from external academic development into internal pipelines for automated cat behaviour and activity monitoring. 

• Lead and support on evidence synthesis projects and associated publications, in order to create robust knowledge bases for shelter, unowned and owned cat welfare and risk factors. 

About the Research team: 

• The Feline Welfare Research Team are a small but growing team of six scientists, who sit within the wider Cat Welfare department. The team supports the organisation in improving our understanding of feline welfare both on a population and individual basis across a range of disciplines including epidemiology, demography and welfare assessment. 

• The team are responsible for providing the charity with scientific expertise. 

What we’re looking for in our Cat Scientist - Emerging Welfare Technology: 

• Extensive experience undertaking non-invasive animal behaviour and welfare studies, including first-author publications. 

• Significant experience in research project design and leadership, including planning, oversight, and completion of projects on time and within budget. 

• Experience leading and advising on data-led research and innovation projects to inform animal management or conservation strategies 

• Strong programming and statistical data analysis skills including experience of transitioning academic research or coding systems into practical, operational tools to support positive animal health and welfare outcomes

• Solid grasp of research principles and the ability to find, absorb, and apply new analytical techniques 

What we can offer you: 

• range of health benefits 

• 26 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing with length of service 

• Salary Finance, which empowers you to take control of your financial wellbeing 

• and much more, which you can learn about

Application closing date: 3rd April 2026 

Virtual interview date: 16th and 17th April 2026 

If successful, your recruitment journey will include: 

1. Anonymised application form 

2. Virtual interview and presentation 

Please email us if you require any adjustments to be made for you to complete your application or to participate in the recruitment journey. 

The Woodland Trust is looking for an Engaging Communities Officer to join our exciting Sherwood’s Living Legends project funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. A development grant has been awarded by Heritage Fund to help the Woodland Trust progress the project over 18-months to apply for a 5-year delivery stage grant. If this application is successful, the project will safeguard the future of ancient and veteran trees in Sherwood Forest and reconnect communities with this iconic landscape. This is a fixed term contract for 18-months, with the potential for an extension. 

The Role: 

• Lead the community-focused development of Sherwood’s Living Legends, shaping how people connect with the cultural, historical and ecological significance of ancient and veteran trees. 
• Co-create imaginative engagement approaches with consultants, using storytelling, heritage and local myth to inspire urban and rural communities. 
• Define target audiences and craft compelling key messages that will underpin the project’s delivery-stage communications. 
• Promote the project across the Sherwood NCA through social media, local press, PR events and creative outreach activity. 
• Ensure engagement plans are inclusive, accessible and responsive to the needs of diverse communities and participants. 
• Build and maintain strong relationships with partners, community groups, landowners and Woodland Trust teams to support joined-up project development. 
• Monitor and evaluate engagement activity, gathering insight and data to inform project design and future delivery. 
• Represent the project internally and externally, sharing successes and supporting alignment with wider Woodland Trust communications. 

The Candidate: 

• Experienced in coordinating and delivering varied community events, including consultations tailored to different audiences and locations. 
• Confident leading groups outdoors, with experience engaging children, schools and community participants in nature-based activities. 
• Skilled in partnership working, able to collaborate with volunteers, community groups and external organisations to achieve shared outcomes. 
• Strong communicator with excellent written, verbal and digital skills, including social media content creation and public-facing representation. 
• Committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, with an understanding of how to design accessible and welcoming engagement. 
• Organised and proactive, able to manage multiple workstreams, prioritise effectively and work independently within a dispersed team. 
• Competent with IT systems, particularly MS Office and collaborative platforms such as Teams. 
• Professional, positive and adaptable, able to represent the Woodland Trust and partners with confidence and clarity. 
• The successful candidate will be required to undertake a Basic DBS Check, as part of our pre-employment screening. 

Benefits and Wellbeing: 

Joining our team means you’ll be a big part of tackling environmental and climate issues. We take good care of our staff, offering support and training opportunities. We also offer: 

• Enhanced Employer Pension 
• Life Assurance 
• Flexible & Hybrid Working Options 
• Generous Annual Leave - 25 Days Plus Bank Holidays (pro rata’d for part-time) 
• Buy and Sell Holiday Scheme 
• Enhanced Parental Pay 
• Employee Assistance Programme 

About Us: 

The Woodland Trust is the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity.  We want to see a world where trees and woods thrive for people and nature. The Trust engages and inspires people to make their difference tackling the nature and climate crisis helping protect, restore and create our vital woods and trees. 

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion: 

To achieve our vision of a world where woods and trees thrive for people and nature, we need to better reflect society and the communities we work in. All people, no matter their background, identity, ability, or circumstance, should benefit from trees.

People of colour and disabled people are currently under-represented across the environment and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we particularly encourage you to apply.  

Please contact us to discuss any additional support or adjustments you may need to complete your application. 

Application Advice: 

For fairness we keep our candidates’ personal details hidden from the hiring managers, and CVs are redacted until after shortlisting is complete. Make sure that your Personal Statement clearly shows how your skills and knowledge link to the specifications in the job description and you share with us your passion for the role. Even if you don't meet every requirement of the role, we would encourage you to apply.

Acceptable Use - Artificial Intelligence (AI): 

We understand that candidates may choose to use AI tools to support their job applications-for example, to help structure or edit written responses. We welcome the use of AI in this way, particularly where it helps improve accessibility, such as for neurodivergent applicants. However, we ask that any information submitted reflects your own experience, skills and understanding. During interviews, candidates are expected to respond independently without the use of AI tools.

Apply Now: 

If you're ready to make a difference and grow with us, send in your application today. We might close the job opening early if we get a lot of applications, so it's a good idea to apply soon. If we do close the advert early, and you have an application in process, we will email you prior to closing to give you time to complete. 

Interviews to be held on April 21st 2026.

Make a difference every day with PDSA  

About Us   

Join us to help keep even more people and pets together when times are tough. For over a century, PDSA have provided vital veterinary care for the pets of people in financial hardship.    

We’re now on a journey to expand our reach to support even more people and their beloved pets. To achieve this ambitious goal, we need passionate and driven individuals who are ready to embrace change and help shape a future-focused PDSA. Together, we'll build a stronger organisation to ensure our services help those who need us most for the next hundred years.    

If you're ready to make a real difference and be part of a team that's creating positive change, we want you to join us. Let's build a brighter future for pets and their owners, together.   

About you  

As a Project Communications Officer, you will play a key role in delivering clear, engaging and consistent internal communications that help frontline teams understand and adopt change across the Frontline Improvement Programme. The role involves developing tailored communication plans, crafting compelling messages for diverse audiences, and managing core channels such as newsletters, presentations and social platforms. A central focus is building strong relationships with stakeholders, supporting the Improvement Champion community, and showcasing project progress through impactful, human‑centred storytelling.

We are seeking someone to join the team on a 12‑month fixed‑term contract, working across our Pet Hospitals. We are looking for someone to join the team in this role and produce timely, high‑quality communication outputs, generating positive engagement from colleagues. The position also requires thoughtful planning, awareness of risks and the ability to use data and insight to measure communication impact, ensuring every message supports smooth change adoption across our Pet Hospitals.

This role is ideal for someone who has successfully delivered change communication plans and understands how to craft messages that help teams embrace new ways of working. You will bring experience using key communication platforms and navigating the complexities of a multi‑site organisation. Knowledge of programme and change management is essential, as we need someone who is agile, confident and comfortable working in changing environments while collaborating with stakeholders across the organisation.

This is a home‑based role with UK‑wide travel when required, primarily across the East and West Midlands. You will be expected to visit sites and attend team meetings at our Telford Head Office and Pet Hospitals across the UK.

Rewards, support and benefits    

We’re really passionate about being a great place to work, somewhere people feel proud of what they do, connected to a meaningful purpose, and able to make a genuine difference every day. Our teams are collaborative and supportive, and we encourage everyone to bring their ideas, individuality and passion for pets to work with them.  

As well as a rewarding role and a positive, people-focused culture, we also offer a wide range of benefits, including:  

• Flexible working options to support your work–life balance and individual circumstances.  

• 25 days’ holiday plus Bank Holidays, with option to buy or sell an extra five days. 

• Three paid special days off: Volunteering Day, Celebration Day and Wellbeing Day annually.  

• Generous pension options, with PDSA contributions starting at 5% and rising to 10%.  

• Life assurance providing four times your annual salary for added peace of mind.  

• AXA Health Employee Assistance Programme, with 24/7 wellbeing support   

• Retail, holiday and lifestyle discounts available through our staff Fetch benefits platform.  

• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave to support you and your family.  

• 10% discount on PDSA Pet Insurance plus access to staff veterinary services.  

To apply for this role, click Apply Now at the top of the page, create a candidate account and complete our simple application form.     

PDSA is committed to embedding a culture of diversity and inclusion within our teams that reflect the communities we serve. We aim to create a working environment in which all individuals are able to make best use of their skills, free from discrimination or harassment, and in which all decisions are based on merit. We offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies and opportunities for flexible working arrangements to support team members from different backgrounds.   

If you have any questions or concerns regarding accessibility, please contact us and we will be happy to discuss via email or telephone reasonable adjustments that you may require throughout the recruitment process.   

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, adults at risk and all our colleagues and expect everyone who works for us to also share this commitment and to treat people with courtesy and respect.   

To support this commitment, our recruitment & selection processes are robust and rigorous. All appointments will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate background checks.