Meg finds purpose as animal rescue volunteer

When Meg moved into our Newton Road supported living service in Penrith last December, her love for animals was immediately clear.

Known for chatting about her cat and watching endless videos of dogs, Meg’s enthusiasm for animals has been a constant joy for the support team at Newton Road. Regular trips to Pets at Home enabled her to see hamsters and other small animals up close, fuelling her interest even further.

Recently, Meg’s passion has transformed into something more meaningful. With Eden Animal Rescue just a short distance from Newton Road, the support team discovered a unique opportunity for Meg. The rescue, which cares for cats, dogs, rabbits, and guinea pigs, offers a variety of volunteer roles, from dog walking and cat cuddling to small animal care and administrative tasks.

Gary Slaven, Service Leader at Newton Road, explained: “I’m really proud of the team for thinking outside the box and sourcing this opportunity for Meg. A really important part of our role as a support team is to get to know people and their interests and find opportunities for them that align. The people we support have the capacity to do anything, if we provide the right support. Then it’s just a matter of sharing any ideas with people, encouraging them, and seeing if they want to do it. If they say yes, the team will take it forward and make it happen.”

Eager to take on a new challenge, Meg attended an induction at Eden Animal Rescue with support from the Newton Road team, and has found her calling as a “cat cuddler” – a role that has her working with nervous kittens to help them feel safe.

Meg understands that her responsibility is to comfort the kittens, giving them the calm presence they need to trust people.

“Meg keeps saying she wants to make the cats comfortable,” said Jamie Bowers, an Advanced Support Worker at Newton Road. “We saw how much she loved animals, and Meg was really up for it and wanted to do it.”

Now, twice a week, Meg heads to the rescue centre, eagerly anticipating her time with the animals. Volunteering has not only brought her out into the community but has also given her a sense of purpose and belonging.

“She feels important and like she’s part of something, and involved in something meaningful,” Jamie said.

For Meg, becoming a volunteer at Eden Animal Rescue has been more than just a responsibility. It’s a chance to make a difference, one kitten cuddle at a time.