Ferne Animal Sanctuary
Social Inclusion
We want to buy a poly tunnel so that volunteers can grow plants that will benefit the animals, even when the weather is cold or wet.
About this cause
Ferne Animal Sanctuary provides refuge for unwanted domestic pets and farm animals. There is an increasing number of animals being abandoned through no fault of their own; they are simply affected by changes to their owners' circumstances. We aim to find those animals caring homes for life and we rely heavily on volunteers to help with many aspects of our work. Last year we began a new project working with the Memory Café in Chard run by the Alzheimers Society. One of the issues identified by the Memory Café was that gentlemen in particular were looking for more active, practical volunteering tasks. We started a pilot programme building a small vegetable patch from sleepers that was easy to access and we have been growing vegetables and flowers for the animals with their help.
How this cause brings people in the community together
Volunteers from the Memory Café in Chard already help with gardening at Ferne but can only do so currently on dry, warm days. A poly tunnel will enable us to expand our work, not just with the Memory Café but more widely with our older volunteers, who will be able to work indoors all year round benefiting from the exercise and social interaction.