My name is Julia, but I prefer to be called Julie. Normally I was only ever called Julia either by my parents or when I was in trouble at School, so Julie it is.
What is your role at the RSPCA? I opened our Addiscombe shop in July 2012. I began with a pile of black sacks as high as the ceiling and flat pack rails that were a nightmare to piece together, Ikea flat packs had nothing on them!
I was given a strict two week deadline to get the shop open and with the help of family, friends and loyal volunteers we got it done, blood, sweat and tears, oh and tea, tea by the bucket load literally!!
I am responsible for every aspect of a smooth running, welcoming shop here in Addiscombe
Who else works with you? I have a loyal team of 4 volunteers, Bev, Rose, Luke and Tracey. I also have two ad/hoc volunteers whom I can call upon should I need an extra pair of hands.
Bev helped me open the shop so has been with me since the start. Rosie has too and was on the panel when I attended my interview all those years ago. Her parents also founded the South African equivalent of the RSPCA, the SSPCA.
Luke has been with me around 7 years (as at January 2022) He’s an eager young man always willing and keen to help, mad into sport, especially Crystal Palace FC. Luke’s aim eventually is to get a paid job in the sports industry.
Tracey has been with me 6 years and is a keen and willing ‘sorter’, a great team member, as are all of my team.
I like to think I am responsible for their health and well being as well as all aspects of the shop running at it’s best at all times.
How and why did you become involved with the RSPCA? I became involved with the RSPCA just a year after my Mum passed away. She had always been an animal lover and my sister and I were brought up alongside animals.
Shortly after Mum passed, I was made redundant from my role in Community Care. I had for many years worked out in the community offering respite care to carers and I eventually did further training in Palliative Care. However, it was in my role as admin operator that I was made redundant after about 12 years.
A post then came along for my current role and it was almost ‘heaven sent’ as I was feeling lost after having lost both my Mum and my career. The letters RSPCA just stared out at me from my screen, so I had nothing to lose but apply for my role……. the rest is history now I suppose.
Do you have a message for our supporters? My message is this – we appreciate so much your QUALITY donations, but please, please think about what exactly you are donating to us. Is it saleable, is it safe, is it worthy of the shop floor?
If it is not, please dispose of it elsewhere as it costs us a small fortune to get our rubbish taken from our premises. Also, please, please don’t leave donations outside of a closed shop. It can cause a public nuisance and of course can easily get wet or stolen.We would far rather you popped in to say hello during our opening hours (9.30 to 5pm Monday-Saturday).
What is the most unusual thing that you have had donated? I really couldn’t tell you the most unusual thing I’ve had donated to my shop, as it would literally make your eyes water and your toes curl! It was only last year too, so it took a while to get something in that shocked me. Let’s just say it never made it to the shop floor!!!
Over the years we have had many oddments in. The funniest incident though was when Bev was sorting through a handbag, and she said, “look, this is just like your bag.” As she delved deeper and pulled out my purse and other bits, we realised it was actually my bag and not a donation. How we laughed and still do so today!
What is your favourite domestic and British wild animal? Oh I really can’t say what my favourite animals are, it’s too hard to choose. Currently I have a black and white domestic ‘shorthair’ cat named Min who will be 17 this June (2022). I use the term ‘shorthair’ as that’s what it says on all of her documents, but let me assure you though that my carpets say otherwise! We’ve had her since birth, and her mum was a Maine Coon who sadly passed just last year.
Where I live we are lucky enough to have Badgers and Foxes in our Garden, so I do have a soft spot for those. Certainly couldn’t tell you a favourite though.
RSPCA South London 