October half term at the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary

22 September 2024

October half term at the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary

This October half term, things are getting a little spooky at the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary! Pick up our free Halloween Trail when you arrive and keep an eye out for pictures of ghosts all around the sanctuary – you’ll find 8 in total. Put the letters together and discover the mystery word – clue: it’s donkey and Halloween related! 

 

Our signature Donkey Experience is available every day all year except Thursdays and Fridays. It’s the most fantastic opportunity to become an honorary member of our team for a couple of hours. You’ll learn about how we care for our animals and help our staff as they go about their day-to-day duties. You could do find yourself doing anything from grooming to picking up poo! It’s a real ‘behind the scenes’ experience.
Advance bookings only (48hrs notice required). Ages 11 years and over. £50 per person. 

 

Take a walk when you’re with us. Nestled in 55 acres of picturesque Isle of Wight countryside in the Wroxall valley, our sanctuary has lots of lovely walks onsite, including a tranquil meadow walk and our newly opened Whiteley Bank paddock area, which has the perfect spot for a picnic on a sunny autumn day. From the sanctuary it’s a couple of miles walk over footpaths to the quaint village of Godshill. If you’re feeling energetic you can turn that stroll into circular walk and come back to the sanctuary via historic Appuldurcombe House for a hot chocolate with all the trimmings and slice of cake in the cafe. 

 

Until 3 November we are open 7 days a week from 10am to 4.30pm with over 100 donkeys, miniature Shetland ponies and a mule just waiting to meet you. We love all animals, and dogs on leads are very welcome to visit too. We offer free entry and free parking.

 

Please note, from Monday 4 November we will be closed to visitors on Thursdays and Fridays.

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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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