Meet Shelley, a dedicated office volunteer at Bristol A.R.C. With a rich background in pastoral support within schools, Shelley brings a compassionate and nurturing spirit to her volunteer role. Since retiring a few years ago, she has embraced the chance to engage with people of all ages, particularly enjoying visits to schools and youth groups to share the important work of BARC.
Her journey with BARC began as a grateful adopter of two lively kittens, Otto and Oscar, and has since blossomed into a passionate commitment to supporting animals and raising awareness in the community.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself outside of volunteering – your background, career, or interests?
I come from a background of working in schools, providing pastoral support to children and their families. Retired a few years ago. I love that my volunteer role gives me the opportunity to engage with people of all ages, but especially enjoy going into schools and youth groups to talk about BARC. Hobbies include yoga, cryptic crosswords and playing the saxophone badly!
What was it like when you first walked into Bristol A.R.C. as a volunteer? Can you describe that moment?
As soon as I walked into BARC for my volunteer interview with Ed, I felt instantly welcome. There is never a sense of being “just” a volunteer – we are valued as a part of the team.
You adopted two kittens before becoming a volunteer – what impact did that experience have on you?
I adopted two kittens, Otto and Oscar, from BARC just before the pandemic, and they really helped our family navigate the strange times we were all living in. I applied to be a volunteer as soon as lockdown was lifted as I had seen first hand the amazing work that BARC were doing for animals in need. The cats are nearly 6 now, and as mad as ever. My daughter has recently adopted a kitten from BARC too – he’s my grand-kitten!
What do you think people don’t realise about the work Bristol A.R.C. does behind the scenes?
I volunteer in the fundraising team, and when I do community talks it is clear that the public has no idea how much it costs to keep BARC running. Many people I speak to believe that we receive funding from the council to help with costs. People are also unaware of the outreach and preventative work that BARC does, or that we have a foster programme so we can support even more animals in need.
Why do you think community support is so vital for the centre?
I feel privileged to be able to spread the word of the vital work that BARC does via community talks. Even in these difficult financial times, people are so generous, and every donation, however small, is always gratefully received.
What does it mean to you to be part of a team that’s helping thousands of animals every year?
I am very proud to be a part of the team at BARC. I’ve had the opportunity to participate in fun events, learn new skills and work with some amazing people – volunteering is a lot of fun, and I’d recommend volunteering to everyone!
