The Wildlife Aid Foundation is urging people in the UK to hold silent firework displays on Bonfire Night tonight to prevent the potential psychological damage the celebrations can have on animals.
The charity, which is based in Leatherhead, Surrey, is dedicated to the rescue, care and rehabilitation of sick, injured and orphaned animals. They claim the concept of silent fireworks has gained new momentum.
Its founder, Simon Cowell, says: “Wouldn’t it be great if all organised firework events in the UK switched to low-noise alternatives?”
He added: “We don’t want to be killjoys. We are asking people to consider our wild neighbours this year and think about staging animal-friendly fireworks displays.”
The RSPCA has reported it received its highest number of alerts about fireworks from worried members of the public last year – a 50 per cent rise since 2011.
Of course, Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder plotters thought their actions would lead to social change, not to terrifying the UK’s wildlife more than 400 years later.
Thankfully, there are easier ways to get involved if you want to make a change in politics and society – particularly if you choose these kinds of roles.
Charity Fundraiser
The chief executive may feature more often in the news but it’s the daily work of the fundraisers that keeps a charity running and its work in the public eye.
The most important thing to have for this role is a passion for a cause, but coming to the job from a business, marketing, media or public relations background can be a huge benefit.
Fundraising takes creativity – thinking of new angles to engage a public who are already asked to contribute to a number of causes.
It can involve working at evening and weekend events and even travelling abroad.
Having done voluntary work before will help with an application as it shows you have commitment and experience.
Barrister
For legal professionals who want to challenge injustice in England and Wales, the years spent towards becoming a barrister are worthwhile.
The journey starts with an approved law degree or another degree supplemented by a Graduate Diploma in Law or the Common Professional Examination.
Next comes the Bar Course Aptitude Test (BCAT) before applying for the Bar Professional Training Course. And then there’s the practical training, which is called pupillage.
The work is challenging – with immense amounts of information to digest, analyse and communicate – but the rewards can be substantial, both financially and personally.
Some barristers are self-employed while others work for government organisations such as the Crown Prosecution Service. It’s also possible to work in areas such as human rights.
Family support worker
This is frontline care at its best: working with families who are often desperate for help. This is why previous experience in childcare, social work, social care, counselling, youth work or education is helpful.
Usually the work will be done in the family of social services, backed up by a social worker.
Families can have multiple problems. Addiction and mental health problems can be commonplace in this line of work, which is carried out anywhere from the family home to a refuge to nurseries, probation services and children’s homes.
The skills come with experience, such as the ability to build relationships with people who may have lost their trust in others.
There will be elements of evening and weekend working – problems such as these are rarely confined to the nine to five – but knowing you’ve helped a family stay together and thrive is immensely rewarding.
If you’d like to see your career prospects rocket, take a look at the roles currently available on [site_name]