Volunteering Opportunities with Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary

About

The Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary began in 1987 with a single donkey, Dillon. It became a registered charity in 1991 and moved to the current location in 1993. Since then it has continued to grow, rescuing more donkeys, building new barns and field shelters and converting a barn into a new café, with more plans for the future. The Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary currently has 120 donkeys, 1 mule and 22 ponies, all of whom are either rescued or abandoned. They are given a ‘forever home’ in 55 acres of countryside in the Wroxall valley where they get first class care and welfare. The sanctuary has 4 key elements to it’s work: It rescues and supports the health of homeless donkeys It acts as an education centre, providing learning and training for children, students, apprentices and volunteers It is a visitor attraction in which people can meet the donkeys, interact with them, groom and walk them, or have a half days experience with the donkeys. There are events, concerts and Open Days on a regular basis. The donkeys take part in donkey therapy programmes across the Isle of Wight (and occasionally the mainland) and work with Alzheimers patients, Stroke patients and people with a variety of needs