Sanctuary Work
At Bird Aid we aim to help people as well as animals. Alongside our regular volunteers, our sanctuary in Hailsham provides supported volunteer opportunities for those who need a quiet, safe environment with no pressure to achieve targets. We aim to tailor our support to suit the needs and preferences of each participant. We have had young people with attachment issues who can come along with a parent until they feel comfortable to move towards independence; we have older people who know that they have the space to work alone after training (if they choose to). Most people self refer or come from local special needs colleges or from Plumpton College which has a variety of animal care courses.
Time to Thrive, Time to Grow
We do not receive government funding which means we have no targets to follow and can treat every person as an individual. There are no tick boxes here. People can stay as long as they like which means some have been with us years and, occasionally, only a few weeks. The birds have the same philosophy so there is a mixture of rescues that are released and permanent birds who our volunteers enjoy watching and developing a relationship with over their time with us.
Shop work and Café
We have a charity shop in Hailsham town centre that is run by a dedicated team. There is a good mix of volunteers from all age groups which provides a fun, family atmosphere. As with the sanctuary, all volunteers are treated as individuals. As a small charity, there is no Head Office to dictate rules on how the shop is run. This means that we can adjust work to suit each person’s needs. Our latest addition of a café adds more variety for our volunteers and also serves as a safe place for vulnerable people in the local community to come to. We do very inexpensive food and drinks for those who cannot afford the huge costs of national chains.
Fun…
It’s not all work at Bird Aid. We have been running regular social activities for helpers and volunteers. Activities include regular party nights where there is a disco, party games and food in a safe, supportive environment. There are also meals out and visits to local attractions. Once a year we organise a respite break for users, supported by volunteers, to the Isle of Wight for a self-catering holiday. As well as a fun time, the holiday is useful as a chance to develop new skills; independent personal care, shopping, cleaning, food preparation and cooking. All participants work together and can enjoy the results.
