About the role
Relief Farm Worker/Groom for The Donkey Sanctuary. Based at Brookfield Farm, Honiton, United Kingdom. This is a full-time, permanent position to cover staff absence and support the Farm Manager and Farm Supervisor in the care and welfare of resident donkeys, mules, hinnies and ponies across the eight sites, while maintaining a safe working environment.
Responsibilities
* Providing care by routine checking, feeding, medicating, grooming, weighing, worming and training the resident donkeys, mules, ponies and hinnies; assisting the vet, farrier and dentist as required
* Providing daily feedback to the Farm Manager on donkey health, feeding regimes and land management; liaising with staff to facilitate smooth farm operations
* Operating machinery and/or manual tasks such as mucking out, feeding and bedding, and distributing hay, haylage and bagged feedstuffs
* Maintaining up-to-date manual records for the donkeys and farming practices
* Supporting work experience students and interacting with visitors, Quality Time Volunteers and other departments in a friendly and positive manner
Qualifications
* Previous equine or animal husbandry experience
* Good communication skills
* Excellent customer service skills
* Experience of using farm machinery, specifically tractor driving
* Physical fitness and the ability to lift (e.g., a bag of feed approx. 20 kg)
* Willing to undertake work-related training as required
* Full current UK valid driving licence
What We Offer
Based at Brookfield Farm this is a full-time, permanent contract, working 37.5 hours per week, 5 days over 7, with weekend work as part of a rota.
* Competitive pension
* Life assurance
* 31 days holiday (including Bank holidays), rising to 34 with each full year of service
* Wellbeing team
* Recorded Pilates and Yoga classes
* Long service awards
* Healthshield plan
Health and additional benefits
* Reimbursement of some medical expenses up to the specified limits per membership
* Offers, discounts and cashback on shopping, travel and entertainment from participating outlets
* Access to a 24/7 GP and counselling service
* Free parking
* Subsidised restaurant and shop on main site
Application information
Closing date for completed applications: Thursday 23 October 2025.
The Donkey Sanctuary is a Disability Confident Employer. The organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable people and requires safer recruitment processes, including a DBS check where required. The charity may participate in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme and may request information from applicants’ previous employers about any findings of misconduct.
Please note: The Guaranteed interview scheme is applicable to candidates who consider themselves to have a disability applying for roles based within the United Kingdom. We encourage applicants to provide original work and discourage use of AI writing tools.
Location notes: Honiton, England, United Kingdom.
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