Ever wondered what it’s like to work at Battersea? Who better to tell you what it’s like than the people who do! We interviewed some of our fantastic employees from across the organisation and asked them to tell us the best things about Battersea, to give you an idea of what you could expect.
Alina is Head of Finance, based at our London centre who will tell you more about what they do, and what a typical day is like for them here at Battersea.
Hi Alina, tell us a bit about what you do at Battersea
I’m the Head of Finance at Battersea. My team and I are based at the London site but we work with and cover all three of our centres. I am responsible for financial reporting, which includes our ‘year end’ statutory accounts, VAT, budgeting, forecasting and monthly management accounts. I also work closely with different staff at Battersea who manage their own team budgets, helping them make key strategic decisions for their departments. My role covers procurement too, which means making sure we spend donor funds appropriately, getting the best value for money for all the goods and services we use. This is done by ensuring we have robust purchasing processes and through working closely with our internal teams and their suppliers.
What does a typical day look like in your role?
It really depends on the time of year, month, or even week! During financial ‘year end’ I will often be working closely with our auditors as part of our annual audit. In the second half of the year I can be working closely with the Finance Business Partner team and our Directors on the annual business plan and budget for the following year. On a day to day basis I work closely with my brilliant team, providing them the support they need to do their roles, as well as focussing on process improvements and how we can work better as a department.
What is your favourite thing about working at Battersea?
Aside from my fantastic team, my favourite thing about working at Battersea has to be how as an organisation we are truly here for every dog and cat. Battersea is focussed on challenging legislation, supporting other rescues in and out of the UK, and changing perceptions of rescue animals more widely. The excellent work we do at our centres really allows us to have a wider impact on the rescue sector as a whole and that makes me very proud to work here.
Why did you first want to work here?
I had always wanted a cat, and before adopting my own cat Louis, I used to attend Battersea’s ‘knitting kittens’ events as a volunteer (and sneak off to look at the cats and kittens whenever I could!) Those memories stayed with me, and I always kept an eye out for Finance roles at Battersea. In December 2018 my dream job was advertised, and when I was offered it I was absolutely delighted! Battersea is a real institution and I think it says something about Battersea when you pass the London site on the train, wishing you could be walking around amongst those arches.
How do you feel you’ve developed during your time at Battersea?
The key to being a good leader is having confidence and courage in your convictions and I really feel my time at Battersea has helped me to develop that. As a relatively new Department Head, I’m always developing in lots of different ways, and I feel supported in doing so here.
Mollie is a Rehoming and Welfare Co-ordinator at our Brands Hatch centre who will tell you more about what they do, and what a typical day is like for them here at Battersea.
Hi Mollie, tell us a bit about what you do at Battersea
I am a Rehoming and Welfare Co-ordinator in the Cattery at our Brands Hatch centre. This means I look after everything to do with the cats’ care while they are with us at the centre, including feeding, setting up and maintaining their pens, spending time with them monitoring their behaviours and personalities and also making sure their mental health is looked after, all to make sure they go to homes which will suit them best. As well as the cats I also work with customers, talking to people who need to bring cats in to Battersea for any reason, as well as those who are looking to rehome from us.
What does a typical day look like in your role?
To start the day, the cattery team usually has a quick catch up on all the cats onsite and anything we all need to know about them, and then create our separate to-do lists. Then it’s feeding time for the cats (I like to spend some time with them at this point in the day to give them some affection!), as well as cleaning out litter trays and anything else that needs it. After that it’s emails, meetings, taking any appointments for cats coming in, setting up pens for any new arrivals, making arrangements for cats to be brought in to us, getting cats ready to go home, and social sessions with the cats. We make sure to set out some time in our day to sit with whichever cats want a little fuss, as we prioritise cats’ needs over everything. I would say spending time with the cats is the highlight of the job for me! It really allows you to get a feel for what they are like, and means we can make sure they are getting rehomed to the right kind of environment for them.
What is your favourite thing about working at Battersea?
My favourite thing about working at Battersea is the feeling that you are making a real difference, and seeing the evidence of that when updates come in from loved-up owners of cats in their lovely new homes. I love hearing all about the cats that have come through Battersea and the lives they now lead, it really motivates you to help as many as you can. There is also a real sense of community among colleagues here, and there’s always a helping hand on offer. It makes every day fun, even the hard ones.
Why did you first want to work here?
I wanted to work for Battersea because they are such a well-known and well-loved charity, with educational programmes to help improve animal welfare. As an organisation they have a real love for animals and the desire to make a difference at their core, and I wanted to help make that difference in the lives of animals.
How do you feel you’ve progressed during your time at Battersea?
I’ve been at Battersea for 9 months, and even in that short time I feel I understand a lot more about animal welfare and the laws surrounding it, and even the different lifestyles that are best suited to each cat. Battersea provides a lot of training and education to ensure that the best care is given to each animal, and I’m excited to keep learning more.
James is a Senior Corporate Partnerships Manager in our Fundraising team, based at our London centre who will tell you more about what they do, and what a typical day is like for them here at Battersea.
Hi James, tell us a bit about what you do at Battersea
I work in the Fundraising department as a Senior Corporate Partnerships Manager, overseeing the team and working on a range of different partnerships with different organisations, raising both money and awareness of the Battersea cause. I’m based on site at our London centre, or at least I will be! I started in April 2020, two weeks into the first national lockdown, so to date my work has been done from the comfort of my home.
What does a typical day look like in your role?
It’s a mixed bag. I work with both account management, so managing our relationships with existing partner organisations, and also the new business side of the team, looking at existing and future partnership activity and potential partners. I’m also very fortunate as my role has plenty of cross over with other teams across the organisation, which is great as I am quite a creative person and love collaborating. Needless to say, I spend a lot of time in meetings or currently on Zoom calls, with current and potential corporate partners and it’s always a great feeling to be running through exciting ideas with companies and brands that share our passions and want to support our work.
What is your favourite thing about working at Battersea?
My favourite thing about my job is seeing a partnership come to life. It’s an amazing thing to see something that everyone in the team has worked so hard on for months finally out there in the world and crucially, raising vital funds for Battersea. One of the things I love the most about Battersea is that you never have to look far to feel incredibly proud about the work you do and the impact it has on dogs and cats, and I say that even as someone who hasn’t been able to work a day on site yet!
Why did you first want to work here?
A lot of reasons. I’m an animal lover and have always been crazy about cats. This love knows no bounds and wherever I go in the world I seem to make friends with a cat. Even when trekking in the Himalayas, as you can see in my picture! I also felt I could put my experience to good use and make a difference here. After my first interview, I was sold on the idea that Battersea was the place for me and by the time my second interview came I was very nervous as I had my heart set on the role. I remember sitting in the waiting room before my interview, pre-COVID, uncharacteristically nervous and putting pressure on myself. At that point a beautiful Whippet who had just been out for a walk came over to say hi. After 30 seconds petting her, I was at ease and the nerves were gone. After all, if she believed in me, why shouldn’t I? That for me is one of the unique things that makes Battersea so amazing.
How do you feel you’ve developed during your time at Battersea?
Working at Battersea, it’s hard not to develop. There is so much great work and so many opportunities and I have a great team around me. Working for a charity you are so passionate about makes such a difference too. My role in fundraising is made so much easier because I feel such a connection to the cause and I feel like this has really helped me to grow.
Sophie is a veterinary nurse at our Old Windsor centre who will tell you more about what they do, and what a typical day is like for them here at Battersea.
Hi Sophie, tell us a bit about what you do at Battersea
I am a veterinary nurse at Battersea, and I work within the clinic department, based at our Old Windsor centre. In the clinic team we are responsible for the health of all the animals at Battersea. This includes carrying out routine operations like spays and neuters as well as providing any specialist emergency care that is needed.
What does a typical day look like in your role?
A day in the life of a veterinary nurse at Battersea is always very varied, there’s probably not a typical one! We start at 8am and look over any animals that may have been brought in overnight, or were already with us and something has happened, or changed. We will then go and do our rounds in the kennels and cattery and give out any medication that is needed while doing any checks for the day. After this we are usually in theatre assisting the veterinary surgeons with any surgery. This can include preparing animals for surgery, and setting up the theatre as well as monitoring anaesthetics during the procedure or being on-hand to assist as needed.
What is your favourite thing about working at Battersea?
Working as a veterinary nurse at Battersea is a rewarding and exciting job. Each day is different and every day I go home knowing I have made a difference to at least one animal’s life, which is a pretty great feeling. One of the most rewarding parts of the job is being a part of each animal’s journey, seeing them from the day they come in to the day they go to a loving new home.
Why did you first want to work here?
Being able to work as a veterinary nurse at Battersea has always been my dream job. After volunteering at a number of animal charities I feel so lucky to be able to be part of one that is so caring. Every day it is clear that everybody that works at Battersea is committed to one goal, to help each and every animal that comes in to us and get them to the new life they deserve.
What’s life like at Battersea outside of work?
While working at Battersea I have been lucky enough to be trained as a mental health first aider. The training was provided by Battersea as they recognise the importance of not only prioritising the health and well being of each animal, but of the staff too. Being able to be a mental first aider at Battersea means that I’m able to provide support for any member of staff that needs it and it makes me so proud to be a part of such a considerate organisation. Mental health first aiders have been such an important resource at Battersea and it has been an exciting opportunity for me to be a part of outside of my role as a veterinary nurse.