Make a real difference with your time

Our sanctuary relies on the dedication of people just like you to help care for our donkeys, ponies, mule and horse. When you give your time, you know that every moment will help to make sure our animals receive the best possible care and ensure the smooth running of the sanctuary. 

Volunteers play a vital role in day-to-day operations; from welcoming visitors to helping in the café and offices. However you help, your contribution will have a direct impact on the lives of our animals and our visitors.

Why volunteer with us

Volunteering at the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary offers more than simply a chance to help animals. It’s also a wonderful opportunity to:

• Meet new people and make lasting friendships

• Learn new skills and gain valuable experience

• Be part of a positive, caring team with a shared goal

• Support a much-loved Isle of Wight animal sanctuary

Volunteer opportunities available on the Isle of Wight

We're currently looking for:

Volunteers to join our friendly café team on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 11am to 3pm.

Tasks include:

• Serving food and checking in with customers
• Clearing tables and keeping things spotless
• Helping with washing up and keeping supplies ready
• Supporting the team and following hygiene procedures
• Carrying trays up and down stairs to our mezzanine

About you:
Ideally, you’ll have experience in customer service, and you’ll be keen to provide a brilliant experience for all our café customers. Our café is a busy place and we’re looking for people who are happy being on their feet.

Your skills:

• Friendly and confident with people
• Good verbal communication
• Team player and reliable
• Able to follow basic safeguarding and health & safety instructions

Volunteers for groups and community visits

We’re looking for kind and friendly people to help support community group visits at the sanctuary.

Tasks include:

• Hosting and assisting with group/school visits to the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary 
• Providing information about the sanctuary in an appropriate and engaging way, following sanctuary guidelines
• Following basic health and safety and safeguarding procedures
• Helping set up and tidy away

About you:

Ideally, you’ll have experience in supporting and encouraging people, whether it’s through education, health and social care or something entirely different! You’ll be keen to help us provide a wonderful experience for all our visitors – whatever their needs and abilities.

The days and times needed for this role are flexible as they depend on bookings that come in. We don’t have fixed times, but a session would usually last for 2 to 3 hours. They could be on any day of the week, but most take place Monday to Friday. If you are only available at certain times and we get a booking at this time, we would contact you to check your availability. 

Your skills

• Friendly and confident with people
• Good verbal communication
• Comfortable supporting and encouraging people whatever their ability
• Able to follow basic safeguarding and health & safety instructions
• Team player and reliable
• No previous animal experience required

Donkey care volunteers - Sundays 8am to 12pm and 12pm to 4pm

We are looking for someone who likes to get stuck in and who is happy doing physical tasks – both outside and in the barns.

• Mucking out and poo picking our paddocks
• Helping with feeding our donkeys and ponies – includes preparing food and clearing up
• Helping to move our animals around our 55 acre site
• Following health and safety procedures

About you:
You’ll be an energetic and dedicated animal lover who relishes physical activity.

Your skills

• Friendly with good verbal communication
• Team player and reliable
• No previous animal experience required – just a willingness to care for animals
• Happy to be outside whatever the weather
  

Join our volunteering team

At the heart of the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary is our shared purpose - providing a loving forever home for our animals and a special place for people to visit. Volunteer to join our team and be part of something special. Your support will help transform the lives of our animals - and may even change your own!