We have some wonderful volunteers helping us at Pen Y Bryn, so we wanted to run some feature posts on them. Our first volunteer who still comes every fortnight to help is Ellie who you will know from the wonderful photographs she takes. We asked her what it meant to volunteer with us:
I absolutely love volunteering at Pen Y Bryn! I have a passion for animals and the outdoors so it’s the perfect place! I get to spend quality time with them, making a real difference in their lives, which always leaves me feeling great. The hands-on work, whether it’s caring for them or simply being outdoors in the beautiful surroundings, is something I genuinely enjoy. I’m constantly learning new things about different animals and their unique behaviors, and it’s incredibly rewarding to watch them grow in confidence once they realize they’re safe. The relationships I’ve built with the animals, and with Kelly and Pete, are also very special to me and I am very grateful. Picking a favorite animal is tough because they all have such unique and lovable personalities, but if I had to choose, it would be Peanut (squirrel), Elsa (snowy owl), Mr. Snow, (snowy owl) and Bill and Ben (ferrets)! One of my most cherished memories is helping with the birth of Rainbow the lamb. It was such a beautiful experience to witness new life and learn all about lambing and milking a sheep – a truly fascinating and educational moment, and the rainbows loved it too! Rainbow will always hold a special place in my heart. Another favorite memory is helping out with the stall, which was a fantastic opportunity. And for a funny moment, I can’t forget the muddy slips in the winter… ahem… Kelly! Plus, the amazing models and support I get for my photography are an added bonus!
Thank you for everything Ellie!
