Eve Massie Bishop, head of campaigns and media for OneKind details how she went from part-time researcher to head of campaigns and media for the Scottish animal charity.

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How did you land your current role, and what was your career path leading up to it?

I was very motivated to improve the lives of animals in Scotland and so I jumped at the chance when I saw a campaigning role with OneKind advertised online in 2019.  

It was during a legal internship with global non-profit, Mercy for Animals, while I was a law student, that I realised a career focused on improving the lives of animals could be my reality.  

Before I joined the OneKind team 6 years ago, I was a part-time Researcher with a focus on animal welfare at several think-tanks, whilst also working full-time in social media and customer service roles. I also volunteered with various charities with a focus on farmed animal welfare. 

What is the most interesting part of your job?

I love how creative I get to be in my job. I’ve learned that creativity isn’t just about artistic ability, it’s also compelling writing, creative problem-solving and coming up with original campaign concepts, such when we projected “End Dog Racing in Scotland” onto one of Scotland’s last greyhound racing stadiums.  

I also really value the collaborative working culture within the animal welfare sector.  

What would be your alternative career?

This probably sounds very cliche, but I’m so driven to work to improve the lives of animals that it’s quite difficult to picture an alternative career. 

I’m admittedly a little obsessed with languages. I taught myself Spanish and I’m currently considering which language to tackle next, so perhaps something where I could put my languages to use! 

What inspired you to work in the charity sector?

My legal intership with non-profit Mercy for Animals was the driving force behind pursuing a career in the charity sector. I realised I could use my skills and knowledge for good, while working alongside like-minded, passionate people in a supportive environment. 

And I’ve never looked back! It is incredibly motivating to know that every day I wake up I can make a positive difference to the lives of animals alongside the OneKind team. 

What challenges do you face in your day-to-day work?

OneKind is a small team of just six, so we’re constantly evaluating how we can do the most good with limited resources. As one of the few animal welfare campaigning charities within Scotland, it can be challenging to decide which issues to prioritise. 

Running effective campaigns, of course, requires resources. OneKind relies solely on fundraised income to fund our work and so our supporters are vital. This allows us to be independent and focus on pressing animal welfare issues, but it also makes us more vulnerable to changes in wider economic factors. That’s why we recently launched an urgent appeal to help us bridge a funding gap as we await a generous gift from a supporter’s Will. Our supporters responded with urgency and kindness, and have raised over £28,000 in just a few weeks. 

What would make the biggest positive difference to the sector right now?

For the animal welfare sector, the biggest positive difference right now would be a shift towards recognising animals as sentient beings whose interests matter. We need a more supportive environment for charities to fundraise and campaign, and greater public awareness of the power they have to drive positive change for animals. 

Wider access to core funding opportunities would help animal welfare charities achieve greater legislative change for animals. Campaigning charities like OneKind often don’t fit exactly into the required criteria for animal welfare funders, yet it is campaigning that drives the systemic change animals urgently need. More unrestricted support, including from trusts and foundations, would allow organisations like ours to scale up our campaigns and deliver greater impact for animals.  

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