Community Engagement Hubs

The national RSPCA operate four community engagement hubs across England, working closely with local communities to improve the lives of animals. Through proactive outreach and support, we empower people to make a lasting, positive impact on animal welfare.

prevention through education

Inspiring the Next Gen

Animal welfare education empowers people to understand animal sentience and the challenges animals face. It builds critical and independent thinking skills, encouraging problem-solving and responsible action to prevent neglect and cruelty. By promoting respect and positive animal welfare, it inspires individuals to make thoughtful, compassionate choices in their daily lives.

School engagement officer run a workshop for primary school pupils in the classroom — Birmingham’s outreach officer Laura Khan running a workshop for pupils at Devonshire Academy in Smethwick.

Taunton

West Hatch

Championing alternatives to fireworks, Alice, our Community Engagement Manager, shared:
“We recently delivered a school session to educate young people on how to care for animals during firework celebrations. One child proudly showed our education officer the cosy den they created for their pet on fireworks night - it was wonderful to see the impact of our work.”

Alice added: 
“We’re also piloting animal welfare training for professionals, including social workers and an NHS mental health team. The sessions have been well received and help professionals with animal welfare advice and further support."

RSPCA Education Officer Alex Colling leads a workshop at Haywood Village Academy, teaching children about the risks bonfires pose to wildlife.

Hastings

Mallydams Wood

Mallydams Wood is a nationally acclaimed centre of excellence for animal welfare education in Hastings, East Sussex. Mallydams Wood is Home to a 55-acre magical woodland brimming with animal hideaways, quiet places, and footpaths to explore, sets the scene for wildlife detectives of all ages. Whether searching for animal clues, solving wildlife mysteries, or sitting quietly listening to nighttime noises, Mallydams Wood hosts experiences to set the senses alive and stimulate an inquiring mind. We've encouraged thousands of children and young people to develop respect and empathy for animals and their environment, as well as investigative and problem-solving skills and resilience, through hands-on activities, outdoor exploration, and inquiry-based learning.

Birmingham

Newbrook Farmhouse Education Centre

In 2018, the centre started as an outreach unit running out of the Birmingham Animal Centre. After successfully growing the programme and reaching thousands of young people each year, they opened a newly built, dedicated education centre in October 2020. Birmingham Animal Centre works in partnership with organisations such as the local police force and NHS Trust. More recently, they have been fortunate to secure lottery funding for the first time and receive continued support from the Katherine Martin Trust to continue their vital work.

Nantwich

Stapeley Grange

Stapeley Grange has a long history of running education opportunities for the community, and in early 2020 they joined the Prevention and Education team as part of Generation Kind. The team at Stapeley Grange is excited for new engagement opportunities, including the development of programmes and being home to the RHS Chelsea flower garden. From autumn 2023, work will begin to broaden their community outreach work across the North West, including areas such as Liverpool, Manchester, and North Wales, working to help improve the lives of animals across the region.

Garden designer Martyn Wilson designer looking at a dead hedge which encourages wildlife — Martyn Wilson, designer of the RSPCA garden at the RHS Chelsea FLower Show visiting RSPCA Stapeley Grange, the site of the soon-to-be relocated Chelsea garden.