During the first quarter of 2022 here at RSPCA Manchester & Salford Branch we have been running a new initiative at the branch, a job swap to allow staff to walk a day in each other’s work shoes! We had plenty of takers from the retail side to join us at the animal centre for a day, whilst one staff member from the centre spent a day at a shop.
Our animal care assistant Britt was first off the blocks spending her shift at our Northern Quarter shop.
Q. Why did you want to do the job swap?
A. For a change of scenery and seeing how the retail side works.
Q. What did you learn about the work your colleagues on the retail side do?
A. How they make sure the raise as much money as possible by researching the value of items donated.
Q. What was the highlight of your job swap?
A. Meeting other, friendly, hardworking staff and good to do something different for a change.
Q. What are you most grateful they do that you don’t have to do in your role?
A. Not having to sort through all the donations!
It was really nice to meet other nice people and see how hard they work for the Branch. I really enjoyed the experience, as I worked in charity shops for years before I got into animal care so I felt comfortable knowing what to do. I would be happy to swap again one day in the future!
Next up was Chorlton deputy shop manager Louis, he was put through his paces at the centre.
Q. Why did you want to do the job swap?
A. I wanted to do the job swap so I had the opportunity to see what the rehoming staff at the centre do in their day to day routine and also get the chance to meet the animals we are raising money for.
Q. What did you learn about the work your colleagues on the rehoming side do?
A. I learnt that they care for the animals 24/7, no matter what. They care for multiple animals including rabbits and cats to name a few.
Q. What was the highlight of your job swap?
A. The highlight was feeding the cats their lunch and watching their little faces light up when their food was brought to them!
Q. What are you most grateful they do that you don’t have to do in your role?
A. I’m grateful I don’t have to poo shovel every day! Haha!
Chorlton shop manager Tiffany added some glamour to our work day when she joined us at the centre:
Q. Why did you want to do the job swap?
A. I wanted to have the full experience on the other side of our job at the RSPCA animal centre and to get a better understanding of what we do as a whole and how things run as a charity.
Q. What did you learn about the work your colleagues on the rehoming side do?
A. That it is very challenging and the cleaning is hard work every day.
Q. What was the highlight of your job swap?
A. Being able to snuggle with all the small furries and play with the cats and kittens. I would definitely say it was a therapy session for both participant and animals.
The [animal centre team] really care and look after and support the animals in their time of need, making sure they are happy and healthy and on the mend.
All the staff were so helpful and lovely, they gave you freedom to have social/cuddle sessions with all the animals that had a green ‘happy’ sticker.
Join us next week for part 2 featuring Scott, Karen and Lorenz!
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