Young woman stands holding clothes in front of clothes rail in shop

Kickstart employees have ‘huge impact’ on dog rescue charity

Published : 24/09/21 | Categories: Funding |

Hope Rescue have recently benefitted from some extra capacity and brilliant new staff members courtesy of the Kickstart Scheme.

Voluntary organisations in Wales can benefit from six-month job placements completely paid for by Kickstart. With five placements between the charity shop, rescue kennels and reception, Hope Rescue has had an ‘overwhelmingly positive’ experience with their young Kickstarters.

VITAL CHARITY SHOP SUPPORT

Nicole has been working at the charity shop providing much needed support to the shop supervisor and excellent guidance to the shop’s volunteers.

‘At the shop the placements got stuck in as soon as they arrived,’ said Hope Rescue’s Enterprise Development Manager, Meg.

‘During their placement we had a volunteer recruitment drive and had many new starters. Although our managers did all the official training our Kickstart girls were brilliant at on-the-job support with answering their questions and reiterating our policies and procedures.’

‘We also started our new eBay shop and the two placements were trained in the listing and fulfilment of this alongside our online shop to have experience of e-commerce to add to their CVs.’

‘Without the reliability and willingness of our two placements here we would not have been able to launch our eBay shop – so this is a huge impact they’ve had.’

WORKING IN THE KENNELS AND RECEPTION

‘Our placements at the kennels themselves have also got stuck in – but at a very different job!’, explained Meg.

The hygiene and upkeep of the living areas for Hope’s dogs can be a messy and smelly job, but the Kickstart employees have taken it all in their stride and never once complained. The placements have also dealt with a variety of behavioural issues and needs after completing Hope’s in-house dog behavioural course, another accreditation they will be adding to their CVs.

‘Our placement on reception is a natural,’ said Meg. ‘She had little confidence in the beginning but is now at the front desk, answering calls and helping customers. This has been a godsend in freeing up our admin teams time, releasing pressure on staff who are usually nose to the grindstone.’

COULD YOU BENEFIT FROM KICKSTART?

Hope Rescue have had such a great experience with their Kickstart employees that they are now applying for two extra placements through the scheme.

Voluntary organisations like Hope are increasing their capacity while supporting a young person’s development. Could you benefit from fully paid job placements with very little admin and a generous personal development budget?

Find out how we can help you access the Kickstart Scheme

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