Research Volunteer

What will you be doing?

Key responsibilities include:

• Researching pet bereavement support services, charities, community initiatives, and wellbeing resources
• Helping identify useful information that could support grieving pet owners
• Researching potential partnerships, funding opportunities, events, or awareness campaigns
• Assisting with gathering information for future guides, educational content, support materials, website articles, and social media content.
• Organising findings in a clear and accessible way

The main priorities of the role are to help Gracie’s Way build a strong foundation of trusted information and identify opportunities that will help expand support and awareness around pet grief.

Deliverables may include:

• Research summaries or resource lists
• Recommendations for useful organisations, services, or partnerships
• Information to support future content, campaigns, or project development
• General research support for new ideas and initiatives

What are we looking for?

We are looking for a thoughtful, reliable, and compassionate volunteer who is passionate about helping others and interested in supporting the development of a meaningful community-focused project. As Gracie’s Way is dedicated to supporting people through pet bereavement, empathy, sensitivity, and respect are especially important qualities for this role.

Our ideal volunteer will be naturally curious, organised, and motivated to help identify information, resources, and opportunities that could support individuals experiencing pet grief and contribute to the growth of the project. They should enjoy researching topics, gathering information, analysing findings, and presenting information clearly and accessibly.

The volunteer should have good written communication and organisational skills, with the ability to work independently and manage tasks responsibly. Experience conducting online research, compiling information, or supporting projects through research and administration would be beneficial. This could come from previous volunteering, education, employment, personal projects, or lived experience, although formal qualifications are not required.

We are particularly looking for someone who is detail-oriented and able to assess information carefully. As the role may involve researching bereavement resources, charities, wellbeing support, partnerships, awareness campaigns, funding opportunities, and sector developments, the ability to approach sensitive subjects with compassion and professionalism is very important.

Experience or an interest in market research, including qualitative and quantitative research methods, would be highly valuable. We would also welcome volunteers who can analyse findings, identify trends, evaluate opportunities, and provide evidence-based recommendations to support the future development of Gracie’s Way.

An interest or experience in strategic development and planning, business advice and analysis, organisational growth, or strategic mentoring and coaching would also be beneficial, particularly for supporting decision-making and helping shape the long-term direction of the project.

An interest in areas such as mental wellbeing, animal welfare, community support, bereavement services, social enterprise, or the charity sector would be highly valuable. Experience using basic digital tools such as spreadsheets, online documents, presentation software, or research databases would also be helpful, although training and support can be provided where needed.

As Gracie’s Way is currently an early-stage and developing project, adaptability, initiative, and strategic thinking are highly valued. We are looking for someone who feels comfortable contributing ideas, exploring opportunities, helping shape the future direction of the project, and collaborating within a small developing team.

The most important qualities for this role are empathy, curiosity, reliability, organisation, critical thinking, and a genuine commitment to supporting the mission of Gracie’s Way. While experience in strategic planning, business analysis, market research, or mentoring would be advantageous, we are more interested in finding someone who is compassionate, motivated, and aligned with the values of the project.

This role would suit someone interested in research, strategy, community projects, mental wellbeing, animal welfare, social impact, business development, or the charity sector. It may also appeal to individuals with lived experience of pet loss who are motivated to help create better awareness, resources, and support for others while contributing to the long-term growth and sustainability of the project.

What difference will you make?

As an early-stage project, Gracie’s Way currently operates with a small developing team, so volunteers have the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution and help shape the future direction of the project. 

We value empathy, curiosity, organisation, and a genuine passion for supporting others above formal experience.

Before you apply

Alongside your CV, please provide a covering letter explaining your interest in the volunteer role, relevant skills or experience, and why you would like to support the mission of Gracie’s Way. Applicants are also encouraged to outline their availability and any experience or personal interest relevant to pet bereavement support, content creation, or community engagement.

Interviews will depend upon your application and the number of applications received.

You will be contacted within five working day of receiving your application.