In the summer of 2022, The IOW Donkey Sanctuary won funding to appoint its first Community Engagement Leader, Tiff Harvey. She immediately began work on creating and developing 'Wizzy's Wellbeing Project', to engage and work with our local community.

Wizzy's Wellbeing Project is a project that would get people, many of whom had difficulties in their lives, to work with our donkeys, feel good about themselves and feel positive about their mental health. Tiff and Wizzy formed a partnership and together they began building relationships with our local community, to create purpose built interactive activities with our donkeys, based on people's individual needs. Moving into her 5th month in this role, Wizzy's Well Being Partnership has had a huge impact on the community work the sanctuary undertakes and is here to stay!

Some of the groups that have been involved in the project so far are; Mountbatten Hospice, Kissy Puppy Project, Nurture Cabin, Whiteoak Youth Services, Isle of Wight Youth Offending Team, Veteran Outreach Support, Community Spirited, Beaulieu House, Ryde House Group, and Paragon IOW the YOU trust (Women’s Refuge). We have had some lovely feedback from a number of these groups that have got involved.

IOW Youth Offending Team - (15 year old youth offender) has grown in confidence since attending, from having no prospects or future aspirations. The work at the Sanctuary has shown her love of animals, she is so happy when she is there and looks forward to attending every week. She would like to become a volunteer when she is 16 in Feb, she has found her future career and would love to go into animal care at college, this has given her a goal in life, and she has changed her behaviour as she knows that this will affect her future. She has made a scrap book of all the sessions at the Sanctuary and has commented that she loves the Donkeys, and it really makes her feel good knowing she is helping them.

Paragon IOW the YOU trust (Women’s Refuge) - Dear Tiff, on behalf of all the families of the Isle of Wight Refuge, we would like to say a huge thank you for welcoming us at the Donkey Sanctuary on Saturday 5th November 2022. This allowed all of us the wonderful opportunity to have a nice time together outside of the refuge environment. We all found the setting to be calm, safe, beautiful, and therapeutic for everyone. Our children were happy to see the rescue Jacks and Jennies learning all their names, ages, disabilities, and countries of origin. They loved best petting the donkeys, also enjoying labelling their body parts on the cut out donkey board. This was very educational along with learning about types of food they eat and being able to make up some of their food. Another lovely highlight was ending our trip in the café where we all sat together chatting and enjoying the best meal. Everyone loved the gift shop but the staff most of all welcomed us warmly and you were very kind and attentive. We are all now looking forward to returning in the new year and deciding which one of your donkeys we would all like to adopt. On behalf of the refuge many thanks.

Kissy puppy - Thank you very much for bringing Bella and Gabriella to our Children's Christmas party on Saturday 3rd December. During our visits to the Donkey Sanctuary all of your staff have made us feel very welcome and have been helpful in answering all of our questions regarding the donkeys. The experience the children have received, encompasses all of their sensory needs. The children appear to enjoy their visits and we appreciate all of your support through the year.

If you or a group that you are involved in would like to be part of Wizzy's Wellbeing Project then please get in touch with Tiff at community@iowdonkeysanctuary.org