Oliver recently visited the RSPCA Southridge Centre in Potters Bar.

Southridge is a re-homing, fostering and adoption centre which takes in many different species of animal rescued by the RSPCA. They aim to place every animal they take in into a new, responsible, kind and caring home.

Oliver said: ‘I had a great time visiting the RSPCA Southridge Centre, and very much enjoyed meeting the animals, especially Dolly the cat!

‘I had a great chat with some of the staff and volunteers about animal welfare and know that they work extremely hard to look after all the animals.

‘I also chatted with Mr Terry Pavey, a RSPCA National Council Trustee, who shared with me his ideas for a project looking at how access to animals could be used to improve people’s mental health and address loneliness.

‘I thought this was an excellent idea so I have written and discussed this with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and Herts Valley CCG to encourage them to back the project.’

If you would like to find out more information about the RSPCA Southridge Centre, please visit: https://www.rspca.org.uk/local/southridge-animal-centre/findapet.