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Vetlife seeks volunteer ambassadors
Vetlife ambassadors attend events and engage with the community.
Ambassadors raise awareness of the charity's work with the veterinary community.

Veterinary charity Vetlife has launched an appeal for new volunteer ambassadors to join its team.

As an ambassador, volunteers will play an important role for the charity, raising awareness of its important work.

Ambassadors will be tasked with spreading the word of Vetlife’s fundraising activities and engaging with new communities. Vetlife supports ambassadors by providing them with tools and resources to attend events, give talks and deliver presentations.

All volunteers receive constant training and support.

Vetlife is a charity run exclusively for members of the UK veterinary community, providing them and their families with the help they need for emotional, health or financial concerns.

Among its support services is its confidential helpline, which is available by phone or email. The Vetlife helpline is managed by trained volunteers from across the veterinary industry, and intends to offer a non-judgemental listening service – directing callers to specialist help if needed.

Vetlife’s financial support services can provide advice and a range of grants to veterinary professionals. The service has funded professional advice on issues such as debt and state benefits.

This can support younger people with keeping their homes if they need to recover from physical or mental health problems before returning to work, while older people or those unable to work may benefit from a better quality of life.

Its Vetlife Health Support services can also give professional support for those struggling with mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety and eating disorders.

Vetlife volunteer Maurice Kelly said: “I like to volunteer for events so that I can chat to a wide range of practice personnel and keep abroad of what is happening in the veterinary industry and the current issues.

“Event volunteering is also a great opportunity to meet some of the Vetlife staff and other volunteers.”

Michelle Gratton, donor relations manager, added: “Working with our ambassadors who, not only have a deep understanding of the profession, but also a passion for what we do allows us to engage effectively with our audience.”

If you are interested in becoming a Vetlife Ambassador, visit the Vetlife website.

Image © Vetlife

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Applications open for MMI research grants

News Story 1
 RCVS' Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) has launched round two of its veterinary mental health research grants.

Researchers have until 11.59pm on Wednesday, 28 May 2025 to apply for a grant for research which reflects MMI's 2025 focus areas.

Only one Impact Grant was awarded last year, and so this year there are two Discovery Grants and one Impact Grants available. Each Discovery Grant is worth £5,000 and the Impact Grant is worth £15,000.

For more information or to apply, email researchgrants@rcvs.org.uk to contact the MMI team.

 

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News Shorts
BBC Radio 4 documentary addresses corporate fees

BBC Radio 4's File on 4 Investigates has released a documentary exploring how corporate-owned veterinary practices may be inflating bills to increase profit.

Released on 15 April, 'What's Happening To Your Vet Bills?' revealed the policies which many corporate groups have in place to increase their profits. This included targets and upgrades which veterinary teams are tasked with meeting on a regular basis.

It also features Anrich Vets, an independently-owned practice based in Wigan. Following the case of Staffordshire terrier Benjy, who is diagnosed with a tumour, the documentary shares how the team were able to offer contextualised care and advice to make the procedure as affordable as possible for his owners.

The documentary can be heard on demand on BBC iPlayer.