For many years The Donkey Sanctuary has promoted the self-development of children and adults through the benefits of being in the presence of donkeys. We offer Donkey Assisted Activities (DAA) at our Donkey Assisted Therapy (DAT) centres, including Donkey Facilitated Learning (DFL), Donkey Management Programme (DMP) and Wellbeing with Donkeys (WWD). These ground-based activities support the development of people’s life skills and wellbeing, helping individuals to better deal with challenges in everyday life, while also promoting positive attitudes towards donkeys.

Volunteers have been at the heart of our work for over 15 years and will be an integral part of the charity reaching its goals in the future. They are involved in a multitude of ways across the organisation – welcoming visitors to The Donkey Sanctuary at our brand new Visitor Centre, in our shop, in our award winning restaurant, at our Donkey Assisted Therapy Centres, and at the many events we host throughout the year. They also offer support behind the scenes – with our wonderful donkeys, in our offices, our green spaces and much, much more.

Do you have a passion for Donkeys?

Would you like to help make a difference?

Then come and join our family!

If you’re a keen gardener with great communication and customer services skills, and would like to give the gift of time to The Donkey Sanctuary, we are looking for a volunteer to assist us on Tuesdays or Thursdays with the maintenance of our gardens, grounds and sensory areas at The Donkey Assisted Therapy Centre, Sidmouth. 

You will be able to help us with …….

• Assisting centre staff in the upkeep of the centre and its grounds, including planting, weeding and watering of plants and removal of poisonous/unwanted growth.
• Aiding centre staff in the creation of new visitor engagement initiatives. 
• Supporting the development and maintenance of conservation projects within the centre and its grounds. 
• Ensuring the needs of visitors on site are met, such as with directions and explanation of conservation projects being maintained.
• Ensuring compliance with health and safety requirements and any relevant statutory regulation whilst on-site. 
• Introducing and maintaining new initiatives to support conservations and mindfulness already in place to fulfil the aesthetic needs of the centre.
• Supporting staff with occasional species surveys and monitoring as and when they occur and supporting appropriate action.

After completing a 1-day centre induction, you will be a true ambassador for The Donkey Sanctuary, representing the charity in a positive way at all times, demonstrating our values of compassion, collaboration and creativity. You will be a friendly face, happy to chat to all our visitors, answering their questions to the best of your ability or directing them to someone who can help.