Volunteering at French's Care Haven
French’s Care Haven always has opportunities for volunteers to help with the day-to-day care of the horses and donkeys. Read about some of Jann's helpers here.
Contact Jann if you think you could help with this rewarding work.
Caroline and Frankie
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Phoebe grooming Ethel
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Emily with Tess
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Skinny with Sharon
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Jane with Boris
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Sarah on a winter's day
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Emma Novak (right) is one of the volunteers currently helping Jann. Here’s what she says about working there:
I love being outdoors in the beautiful countryside and helping care for the horses, donkeys and ponies. They each have their own characters and every week I see a bit more of who they are.
It can be hard work but it’s so worth it. I always leave feeling very happy. The animals are Jann’s absolute priority and you can see that in the top care she provides and the wonderful home she has built for them. And as for Jann, well I have never met anyone like her. She is AMAZING and such a pleasure to work with. French’s is absolutely a 5* care haven.
I love being outdoors in the beautiful countryside and helping care for the horses, donkeys and ponies. They each have their own characters and every week I see a bit more of who they are.
It can be hard work but it’s so worth it. I always leave feeling very happy. The animals are Jann’s absolute priority and you can see that in the top care she provides and the wonderful home she has built for them. And as for Jann, well I have never met anyone like her. She is AMAZING and such a pleasure to work with. French’s is absolutely a 5* care haven.
Sharon volunteers on a Saturday at French’s Care Haven. In the photo below, she is with Coco and Annie. This is how Sharon describes the experience of working with Jann:
The people that know me have heard for many years saying “my goal is to have some donkeys in my back garden that would be part of my family”. As I’m growing older this goal wasn’t looking promising. My life changed last year and I moved back to Suffolk.
I’m a great believer in fate and looking through the Hadleigh magazine a picture of a donkey caught my eye. I read on and realised there was a rescue centre on my doorstep. I immediately emailed Jann and we arranged a meeting. To my delight Jann and I just clicked, two mature single crazy females (sorry Jann). Jann introduced me to the donkeys, ponies and horses and my goal was sorted.
Jann knew she had a beginner on her hands and over the past 7 months has patiently taught me not only how to look after these animals, but to give these beautiful animals the love, care and pampering they deserve in their later life. They all have their individual backgrounds, some at the top of their game in their prime and now in retirement they are in the best place to live out in style and love. Jann’s passion and dedication is infectious and I am so happy and proud to be a part of French’s Care Haven. If I could, I would be there every day. I work fulltime in Occupational Therapy within a Mental Health setting and after a busy week my sanctuary is my Saturdays with the animals. I can immerse myself, forget the hectic week and give these so deserving animals the love and care they deserve. This is my therapy.
Please, if you are reading this and can relate to any of my words, get in contact with Jann. I can honestly say you will be hooked. Just like me.
Sharon x
Please, if you are reading this and can relate to any of my words, get in contact with Jann. I can honestly say you will be hooked. Just like me.
Sharon x
Dr John Flather is a regular helper on the practical side of things at the Care Haven
“I have been helping at French's Care Haven for the last year. As part of a team of volunteers I have assisted in shaping their new home .
Weekly, we have worked to build the new areas for the horse's, donkeys and ponies. The land is beautiful and now we have secure fencing and large, homely field shelters .
Initially, I was a little apprehensive with the horses but now I am more confident with them and enjoy their company. The animals receive excellent care from Jann and her helpers and want for nothing. The Sanctuary is first class but expensive to run.
The pandemic has made it virtually impossible to raise funds. It needs and deserves our support”
Weekly, we have worked to build the new areas for the horse's, donkeys and ponies. The land is beautiful and now we have secure fencing and large, homely field shelters .
Initially, I was a little apprehensive with the horses but now I am more confident with them and enjoy their company. The animals receive excellent care from Jann and her helpers and want for nothing. The Sanctuary is first class but expensive to run.
The pandemic has made it virtually impossible to raise funds. It needs and deserves our support”
Here is another of Jann's volunteers, Lissy, with Dollymix
David Jacobs has worked at the Care Haven since Autumn 2019
"I retired 2 years ago from a profession which was largely office based supporting people in need. My heart has always been in the open air, breathing in the countryside, working on the land.
Since Autumn 2019, I have really enjoyed the weekly opportunity of doing what I can to help Jann and her other volunteers make the best of the Charity's land and building resources.
It's great to see the care Jann provides for all the animals and what better place for me to feel the sun, wind and rain in such a beautiful location and enjoy the company of all the others similarly engaged, my French's Care Haven colleagues."
"I retired 2 years ago from a profession which was largely office based supporting people in need. My heart has always been in the open air, breathing in the countryside, working on the land.
Since Autumn 2019, I have really enjoyed the weekly opportunity of doing what I can to help Jann and her other volunteers make the best of the Charity's land and building resources.
It's great to see the care Jann provides for all the animals and what better place for me to feel the sun, wind and rain in such a beautiful location and enjoy the company of all the others similarly engaged, my French's Care Haven colleagues."
Jasmine and daughter Amelia
