Apply now: SPCA Street Appeal 2025 – Volunteer Area Coordinator
Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of animals? Do you love events and have strong organizational and administrative skills? Are you calm under pressure, an exceptional communicator, and eager to contribute to a cause that truly matters?
We’re looking for SPCA Street Appeal Coordinators to help organise our sites across your local region. SPCA Street Appeal is a crucial fundraising event that directly supports our mission to protect and care for animals across New Zealand. As an Area Coordinator, your role is vital in ensuring the success of this event. You’ll assist our Events Team by managing volunteers, overseeing rosters and collection sites for your specific areas during the Street Appeal on Friday, May 30th, Saturday, May 31st, and Sunday, June 1st.
Area Coordinators are responsible for:
• Oversight of the roster for Volunteer Collectors to ensure sites are covered for all 3 days. You will be provided with software to facilitate the rostering.
• Providing instruction and communicating with Volunteer Collectors in your area in the lead up to the appeal.
• Helping volunteer collectors be familiar with the non-cash donation options available (you will be provided with a full brief on these and systems to be used are incredibly user friendly).
• Being the first point of contact for Volunteer Collectors throughout the collection days.
• Setting up and visiting sites in your area to ensure everything is running smoothly throughout the two collection days.
• Banking the money collected in your area. We provide banking bags to make the process easy.
• Helping us promote the 2025 Street Appeal and encouraging your friends, family, colleagues and contacts to volunteer.
• Ensuring all event collateral is collected and returned after the event.
You must be available ALL of Fri 30th, Saturday 31 May & Sun 1st June from approx. 8am-6pm each day and have access to a vehicle.
You are required to attend one information session – this may be held in person or virtually (details TBA). Collection sites are provided but we really appreciate any suggestions for good areas to book.
We are more than happy to provide references afterwards.
This is an opportunity not to be missed to gain valuable experience in the not-for-profit sector and make a real difference in the lives of New Zealand’s animals.
If you are interested in becoming a Volunteer Area Coordinator, please contact SPCA Events Team via email events@spca.nz and detail the location you would like to coordinate.
Please Share This Story From Otautahi Newsroom Far and Wide To Help These Men
Otautahi Newsroom
Concerns are being raised about the safety, care standards, and duty of care at a Comcare-supported residential flat in Bishopdale, Christchurch, where vulnerable older men with significant mental health conditions are living.
An advocate speaking on behalf of four residents , says the men are experiencing ongoing intimidation, alleged abuse, and serious safety risks within the flat. The residents are described as having limited capacity to advocate for themselves and have asked for help to bring the situation to public attention.
The flat houses five male residents, all aged over 60 and all considered vulnerable adults with psychiatric illnesses. It is alleged that one resident, I (64), has displayed escalating aggressive and intimidating behaviour over a period of approximately five years. According to reports from residents and those advocating for them, this behaviour has included verbal threats, alleged physical incidents, repeated boundary violations, and conduct that has left others living in fear.
Reported incidents include police attendance following an alleged knife-related event and theft of personal property, an incident in which one resident was allegedly restrained in his bed, repeated verbal intimidation, and unauthorised entry into other residents’ bedrooms. There are also claims that staff members have been assaulted or felt unsafe attending the property, with some reportedly conducting visits from outside the flat due to safety concerns.
Advocates say the ongoing situation has had a severe impact on the mental and physical wellbeing of the affected residents. All four men report feeling unsafe in their own home, with some considering leaving the property despite believing they should not be forced out of housing they were promised would be safe and stable.
One resident, D, who has both mental health needs and a heart condition, is said to have taken on an informal role trying to protect others. Advocates argue this is inappropriate and unsafe, stating that residents should not be expected to manage high-risk situations without professional support. They also claim that Comcare has breached contractual commitments to provide safe, peaceful, and stable housing.
Further concerns have been raised about the suitability of the property itself. The Bishopdale house was originally a four-bedroom home with one bathroom but was altered to accommodate a fifth resident by converting a sunroom into a bedroom. Critics argue that having one toilet for five men over the age of 63 is inadequate and compromises dignity, health, and wellbeing.
There are also claims from a family member of a former resident that care provided to her terminally ill brother at the property was insufficient, adding to broader concerns about oversight and duty of care.
Despite multiple complaints reportedly being lodged with agencies, advocates say they have seen no meaningful action. They are now calling for urgent intervention, including:
• Immediate rehousing of resident I into a 24-hour staffed care facility, dementia care, or appropriate hospital setting
• An urgent, independent investigation into Comcare’s management of the Bishopdale property
• Assessment of whether elder abuse or neglect is occurring
• A full review of duty of care, risk management, and safeguarding practices
• Immediate measures to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the remaining residents
Advocates warn that without urgent action, there is a serious risk of harm. They say the men deserve to live without fear and with appropriate care that protects their dignity, mental health, and quality of life.
Poll: Should the government levy industries that contribute to financial hardship?
As reported in the Post, there’s a $30 million funding gap in financial mentoring. This has led to services closing and mentors stepping in unpaid just to keep helping people in need 🪙💰🪙
One proposed solution? Small levies on industries that profit from financial hardship — like banks, casinos, and similar companies.
So we want to hear what you think:
Should the government ask these industries to contribute?
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59.4% Yes, supporting people is important!
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26.1% No, individuals should take responsibility
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14.5% ... It is complicated
A Neighbourly Riddle! Don’t Overthink It… Or Do?😜
Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post if you know the answer and the big reveal will be posted in the comments at 2pm on the day!
If you multiply this number by any other number, the answer will always be the same. What number is this?
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