Autumn at the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary

22 July 2026

Save the dates! Your guide to autumn (and Christmas) at the sanctuary

We're delighted that some of our most popular events are back this Autumn. So get your diaries ready and save the dates to make sure you don't miss a thing!



Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary Dog Show, Sunday 27 September 2026

Thanks to the support of the brilliant Wight Agility Group we'll be hosting our fun dog show on Sunday 27 September. With classes for all, it's bound to be a fun day for pooches and their owners!


October half term and Halloween, 19 October to 1 November 2026

We've got spooky fun lined up for this October half term! More details coming soon.


Family Festive Weekend, 19 and 20 December 2026

We've had word from the North Pole that Santa will be making a stop at the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 December this year.
We'll have Santa's Grotto with the donkeys, live music and much more seasonal joy. It's going to be a wonderful weekend - come along, bring your friends and family and get in the festive spirit with us.


Christmas opening times

We will be open every day during the Christmas holidays except for Christmas Day and Boxing Day. We will be open New Year's Eve and New Year's Day 2027.

We will be open on Christmas Day for our Christmas Community Café, but the sanctuary itself will be closed. We will of course be looking after the donkeys every day.

More information

We'll be sharing more information about our events as our plans come together - watch this space!

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If you’re an HR professional looking to reconnect with the people side of your role, this is a wonderful opportunity to join our compassionate, values led team. At the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary everything we do is guided by a clear purpose: providing refuge, new beginnings and exceptional care for donkeys and other equines in need. We’re looking for someone who values collaboration and who brings warmth and integrity to their work. You’ll be excited by the opportunity to combine your HR expertise with building meaningful relationships across the sanctuary. By supporting our team of staff and volunteers you’ll be making a lasting difference for both people and animals. What you’ll be doing Build positive relationships with staff and volunteers, providing a warm, approachable first point of contact for people-related support and guidance Support the recruitment and onboarding, helping create a welcoming and engaging experience for new team members and volunteers from first contact onwards Coordinate meaningful inductions, training, and development opportunities that help people feel confident, connected, and set up for success Help foster a positive, values-led culture by supporting wellbeing, performance conversations, and people experiences across the organisation Work collaboratively with managers to ensure people processes are delivered smoothly, fairly, and with integrity Key Skills & Experience Level 3 CIPD qualification (minimum) Experience in HR administration and recruitment for a similar size organisation Strong organisational and time management skills Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities Knowledge of HR systems and employment compliance Ability to handle confidential information with discretion Why work with us? At the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary, every day is a chance to make a difference — for our animals, our visitors, and our community. You’ll join a friendly, supportive team where kindness, connection, and care are at the heart of everything we do. Whether you’re helping someone settle into a new role, supporting colleagues, encouraging volunteer engagement, or building strong relationships across the organisation — your role will offer the chance to reconnect with the people side of HR while contributing to our vision of being a centre of excellence in donkey welfare. If this role is for you please apply on Isle of Wight Jobs .
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