Half Term - 28th May - 5th June

14 May 2022

This half term we are going to have more going on than ever before!

Every day of the half term we will continue to have our free activity sheets available at the Meet and Greet hut. You can take part in the Information Trail Quiz, try to tick off all of our donkeys on the Donkey Spotting Sheet, and we are also introducing a special under 5s activity sheet.

Each day of the half term there will also be our popular donkey grooming interaction taking place. Donkey grooming sessions last 15 minutes and cost £6 per donkey. 2 donkeys will be available during each 15 minute session, and a maximum of 2 people can share a donkey. There is also an age limit of 5 and above. Saturday 28th, Saturday 4th, and Sunday 5th this will run from 10:30am - 12:30pm and 1:30pm - 3:30pm. On every other day grooming will run from 1:30pm - 3:30pm.
During all of the donkey grooming sessions we will also be introducing a meet a donkey opportunity running during the same times. This is for any age, and for a donation of your choice, to come into the pen and meet one of our donkeys, give them some strokes and get some pictures with them.

On both of the weekends (28th, 29th & 4th, 5th) there will be another free activity called Body Condition Scoring. There will be a presentation taking place at 11:30am, and another at 2:30pm, which will explain what body condition scoring is, how we do it, and why we do it, and then you will get the chance to do some yourselves with our free Body Condition Scoring sheet.

In addition to all of this we will be introducing a variety of care package interactions. We will be running Care For a Donkey, Care For a Shetland Pony, Care For an OAP Donkey, and Care For a Nursery Donkey packages. These packages will last 50 minutes and there will be 8 spaces per session. During these sessions you will start by being given a health and safety briefing and then go through our Playstation presentation, and then move onto a groom, handling and a short walk, a body condition score, and then a scan and match activity. Every participant will also receive a certificate for completing the package.
All of these packages cost £15 per person, and participants must be 7 years old and above to take part.
Sunday 29th and Wednesday 1st the Care For a Donkey package will be available at either 11am or 12pm. Monday 30th and Friday 3rd the Care For an OAP will be available at 11am, and the Care For a Nursery will be available at 12pm. Tuesday 31st and Thursday 2nd the Care For a Shetland Pony package will be available at 11am or 12pm.

We hope that this half term there will be something for everyone to get involved in!

All of the interactions can be booked online through our website at: https://www.iowdonkeysanctuary.org/whats-on#Interactwithourdonkeys as well as on the day if there are spaces still available.

Book Now

Recent Posts

by abigail.fox 17 June 2026
Feel good summer fun!
by abigail.fox 28 May 2026
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 .
A donkey looking over a fence
by abigail.fox 21 May 2026
Thank you to you!
Two people looking at each other with a donkey on either side of them
by abigail.fox 3 May 2026
Book a Donkey Experience for 2 this May and save £20!
A brown donkey with a white nose leaning it's head on a fence.
by abigail.fox 3 April 2026
There's lots happening at the sanctuary this spring.
by abigail.fox 3 April 2026
Come and join us this half term - 23 to 31 May
Show More