After much discussion over Zoom, the brainboxes at Civil Society Towers (currently dispersed around the country) have agreed that it is in fact Friday. There’s a 5% chance that we have got this wrong, if so please forgive us.
As we move into day 345 of UK lockdown, it’s important to stay positive and connected to the world outside and stave off boredom. With that in mind, Diary looks at how some charities are helping people to do just that.
Good news for pets looking for a forever home
We may be unable to leave our homes to visit friends and family, but it has still been possible to open our homes to animals in need until this week.
Battersea announced that last week it rehomed double the number of cats and dogs than it did for the same week the previous year.
In the seven days to 22 March, 86 dogs and 69 cats left Battersea for a new life with their owners. During the same week last year, 42 dogs and 29 cats found new homes.
Sadly, its rehoming centres are now closed, but you can register your interest in rehoming an animal as soon as it is safe to do so.
Diary does wonder if all those who had dashed out to find a new pet are aware of the challenges some people have found in working from home while their cats and dogs constantly stick their noses and paws into what they are doing.
Virtual day at the zoo
Trips to the zoo are a childhood staple, but unavailable right now.
To make up for it, Chester Zoo is hosting a virtual day at the zoo via its Facebook page today.
The running order is:
10:00 Red pandas
11:00 Rothschild's giraffes
12:00 Asian elephants
13:00 Butterflies
14:00 Sun bears
14:30 Sumatran tigers
15:00 Humboldt penguins
16:00 Aquarium
Seems like the perfect home school activity for anyone whose home school programme is already in the bin.
Making the most of social media
Diary is aware that charities are keen to make the most of their social media in these troubled times. It has thus decided to step up and offer a precious case study that can hopefully be of inspiration.
Diary would like to introduce readers to Tim, guard at the National Cowboy Museum in Oklahoma who has been tasked with managing the organisation’s Twitter feed now that the museum is closed.
In his short-time as social media manager, Tim has:
- Proven that he is a fast learner
Twitter tips, please
— Nat'l Cowboy Museum (@ncwhm) March 18, 2020
- Revolutionised the concept of hashtags
Thanks for all the tips, Friends. Realize I have been doing the hashtags wrong. I need to use that pound sign from the phone. I’m learning! Here’s his costume from True Grit from 1969 courtesy of John Wayne Enterprises. #HashtagJohnWayne Thanks, Tim pic.twitter.com/AZu7EidGu2
— Nat'l Cowboy Museum (@ncwhm) March 19, 2020
- …and of selfies
Seth in Marketing said people would love to have me take some photos of our Selfie Stations in The Cowboy. Here’s one from the Rodeo Gallery. Enjoy! Thanks, Tim pic.twitter.com/QrRLuTqBIy
— Nat'l Cowboy Museum (@ncwhm) March 19, 2020
- Achieved 100x growth in views of the museum’s Twitter posts
Tim is also possibly the most polite user in the whole Twitter world (he always says “thanks” at the end of his posts), and he has the best moustache.
Diary is not sure what useful lessons actual charity social media managers can get out of this. But Diary would totally recommend giving the moustache thing a go. They look fantastic - plus barber’s shops are closed anyway.
