To help you understand what is expected of this role, please read our Day In The Life Of Kim below, one of our volunteer Poorly Hen Carers... Every BHWT volunteer team has one or more poorly hen carers. In many of our farm collections there will be one or two hens that need an extra bit of TLC and some that need nursing or palliative care. The team collecting the hens from the commercial farm transport these “poorlies” in separate crates to ensure they don’t get injured on the journey back to the rehoming site, nor overlooked in the unloading process. Some poorly carers prefer to take hens with minimal problems; they may be a little bruised or limping and just need time. Others are more seriously challenged and require more help. Poorlies cannot be put in with other hens and need a dedicated coop or utility room where they can recover in peace. Those that cannot stand up I take into my house so I can keep a better eye on them, but they can be kept in a separate coop if you don’t want them in your home. Some need help eating but I always give them a chance to do this themselves before intervening. I soak pellets in critical care mix to see if they can eat and if they don’t then I’ll syringe feed critical care formula every two hours until they perk up. A lot of poorlies are dehydrated so after a few critical care feeds they start to feel better and will eat the soaked pellets. Occasionally a hen will need a warm bath if she is very soiled from being on a cage floor covered in muck. Most hens relax and quite enjoy the process, but some hate it and flap, so you may get wet. I will give arnica baths to help relaxation. For sore skin I use organic antiseptic tea tree cream which I rub in twice a day. I also use this for cuts and bruises. It doesn’t taste very nice so the hen won’t eat it and neither will the others. If a hen has a prolapse I bathe it in tea tree oil as it is a natural antiseptic. I normally keep hens inside to keep them clean but if they’re eating for themselves they can go outside in a separate coop. It’s important to keep prolapses clean, so twice a day I bathe or clean the prolapse with a damp tissue soaked in tea tree oil, until everything goes back in on its own, which can be a few days to a couple of weeks. Each hen is different. Some just want to be cuddled. Those with Peritonitis need a soft bed so they can nestle down in comfort. I have a large plastic laundry basket for this that I put plenty of layers in and make a hole for their tummy. The basket is also useful for very poorly hens as it gives them support and they can see out. I then carry it everywhere with me and so if I go outside they can see the sun. My poorlie hens always sleep in the house for the first night and some stay for longer until they are strong enough to go into a separate hen house and run, however, they can be kept outside as long as they are warm enough and are checked often. For comfort my poorlies sleep in a carry box that I line with numerous fleeces and tea towels. Once they’re on the mend I will put them out during the day and then bring them in at night. My separate hen house is next to the healthy hens' house so they can get used to seeing one another. I don’t usually allow them to mingle for the first two weeks, and even then I stand over them keeping watch. I do short intro sessions, sometimes holding them in while showing them to the other hens to familiarise them. I have ramps on the small low separate house so that those with bad legs and peritonitis can get in and out. Poorly Hen Carers need to be patient and flexible as each hen likes things done a different way. Ideally you need a few separate hen houses or an outbuilding where you can set up individual pens. Hens that have fully recovered can be rehomed in small groups; it is so rewarding seeing them go off to their new homes knowing that you've made a difference in a poorlie hen’s life.

Lucky Ewe is seeking more volunteers to help with their sheep as they grow this new educational charity in NE Fife. They aim to give people with additional support needs of any kind, the chance to experience farming, animal husbandry and food production at a pre-entry level. Their placements aim to build skills and experience to help them progress towards employment. They are interested in volunteers who enjoy being outside on the land and helping with all the tasks needed to care for their small flock of sheep. Volunteers would help to feed the sheep, provide water, muck out, join in with fencing, move sheep when necessary and take part in the ongoing care of this calm flock of dairy sheep. Volunteers would also be part of the team working with their beneficiaries and must enjoy working with people in a flexible and relaxed manner

Volunteers are encouraged to work in the gardens on Wednesdays and the last Saturday of the month (every Saturday from April 2020). Volunteering is coordinated by a designated board member, but volunteers work in the gardens under the direction of the gardener and/or the designated Board member on day-to-day gardening or manual labour tasks. In 2019, garden volunteers contributed almost 2000 hours, which is nearly equivalent to a full-time employee. As the gardens and woodlands are developed, it is anticipated that even more volunteer time will be required to maintain and develop the Gardens. To become one of our volunteers please email info@elloncastlegardens.net to register your interest or complete the VOLUNTEER FORM on the website. You can also follow us on our Facebook page for regular updates on the project.

REAP is currently looking for 2 or 3 volunteers to help support upcoming gardening sessions at their Maryhill Therapeutic Garden in Elgin. Working alongside the REAP team, volunteers will help participants get involved in gardening activities, helping people to build their skills, confidence, and wellbeing. Therapeutic gardening is the use of garden space to improve and build resilience in mental health; to increase physical activity; develop social skills and encourage a healthier diet. REAP’s aim is to help participants improve their mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing through gardening and socialising in a beautiful, peaceful environment. Sessions are returning soon on February 11th and will run on a weekly basis on Tuesday afternoons 2-5pm or Friday mornings 10-12:30pm. Volunteers can help people take part in various gardening activities such as sowing seeds, learning about composting and harvesting vegetables to take home. There’s also a chance to socialise during the tea breaks! Volunteers will also be supported in their development by being offered training relevant to the project. If you are a friendly, patient person, able to engage with a wide variety of people, and can volunteer outside in a practical way, have an interest in gardening ( food growing or ornamental 😊 ), or even have skills that could help build a new garden bench!) please do get in touch with REAP, who will be very happy to tell you more about how to get involved. Tel 01542 888070