ORGANISATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS
Making
connections in
communities A new and fruitful partnership is helping us achieve one of our
strategic aims to build stronger connections with all our diverse
communities. We have worked with the 10,000 Black Intern
Foundation over the last two years. Interns typically take on shortterm placements
with us, for example working in HR, finance,
public campaigns, IT or our Special Operations Unit. "We want to
attract the best to the RSPCA," says scheme leader Lee Harrison.
"Giving under-represented talent the opportunity to gain experience
and employment is one way to do that. At the end of the year,
three of the interns stayed on, taking on full-time roles."
But the 2024 cohort went even further. They worked on a collaborative
project to help us understand how we can better communicate
with Black communities. Their report highlights awareness
of animal welfare in those communities, but says there's little
understanding of the RSPCA being for them. This - along with
under-representation in the RSPCA - translates into low
participation by these communities in our animal welfare initiatives.
The report recommends promoting active participation with
targeted outreach work, community-focused campaigns,
increased visibility of Black leaders and collaboration with local
Black community organisations. "We must inspire everyone, from
all parts of society, to create a better world for animals," says Lee.
"So this collaboration is essential to a modern RSPCA."
"
…we want
to attract
the best…
"
TRUSTEES' REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2024
26