Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Care for donkeys, including feeding, grooming, and assisting vets.
- Company: Join The Donkey Sanctuary, a caring and supportive environment.
- Benefits: Enjoy 31 days holiday, life assurance, and health benefits.
- Why this job: Make a difference in animal welfare while working outdoors.
- Qualifications: Experience with animals and a valid UK driving licence required.
- Other info: Part-time role with flexible hours and great career development.
The predicted salary is between 1040 - 1248 £ per month.
About you
- Previous equine or animal husbandry experience.
- Excellent customer service and people skills.
- Physically fit and able to lift, for example, a bag of feed (approx. 20 kg).
- Willing to work outside in adverse weather conditions.
- Willing to undertake work-related training as required.
- Full current valid UK driving licence.
About the role
- Routinely checking, feeding, medicating, grooming, weighing, worming and training the resident donkeys.
- Assisting visiting vets, farriers and dentists.
- Operating machinery, and/or manually, mucking out, feeding and bedding up of barns and stables and distributing hay, haylage and bagged feedstuffs.
- Maintaining the farm by sweeping, pressure washing, cleaning, field sweeping, haymaking, strimming, compost management, willow management and dirty water control.
- Maintaining up to date manual records for the donkeys, farming practices, holidays and overtime.
- Providing feedback on a daily basis to the Farm Manager and Supervisor on matters such as donkey health, feeding regimes and land management and liaising with other staff to facilitate smooth running of the farm.
What we offer in return
- This is a part-time, fixed term contract starting as soon as possible until 5 February 2027, working 22.5 hours per week, Wednesday-Friday. Flexibility will be required for weekend work and occasional evening attendance as part of the team rota.
- Life Assurance.
- 31 Days holiday (including Bank holidays), rising to 34 with each full year of service.
- Recorded Pilates classes.
- Long Service Awards.
- Healthshield Plan – 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 at The Donkey Sanctuary main site.
Closing date for applications
Thursday 19 February 2026.
The Donkey Sanctuary is a Disability Confident Employer. The Donkey Sanctuary is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable people (children and adults), and expects all staff and volunteers to undertake this commitment. Applicants will be subject to safer recruitment processes, including an application for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check where required for the post. The Donkey Sanctuary also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme and, for relevant posts, may request information from applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment.
Please note: The Guaranteed interview scheme is only applicable to candidates who consider themselves to have a disability applying for roles based within the United Kingdom.
NOTE TO APPLICANTS: We look forward to receiving your application, but we do ask you to complete this in your own words, and not to employ an Artificial Intelligence (AI) writing tool or assistant. Applications that are considered not to be an applicant’s own work may not be shortlisted for interview.
Trow Farm, Sidmouth, Devon, United Kingdom, EX10 0NU
Farm Worker/Groom (2154) in Sidmouth employer: The Donkey Sanctuary
Contact Detail:
The Donkey Sanctuary Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Farm Worker/Groom (2154) in Sidmouth
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the farm and its operations! Spend some time visiting the place if you can, or at least research it online. Understanding their values and how they care for the donkeys will help you connect during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your experience! When chatting with potential employers, highlight any previous work with animals or in customer service. Share specific stories that demonstrate your skills and passion for animal husbandry.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready for a hands-on interview! If you're invited for a chat, expect to get your hands dirty. They might want to see how you handle feeding or grooming the donkeys, so be prepared to show what you can do!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to reach out directly. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Farm Worker/Groom (2154) in Sidmouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Experience: Make sure to highlight any previous equine or animal husbandry experience you have. We want to see how your background fits with the role, so don’t hold back on sharing those relevant skills!
Be Personable: Since excellent customer service and people skills are key, let your personality shine through in your application. We love a friendly vibe, so feel free to express your passion for working with animals and people alike.
Get Specific About Your Skills: Mention your physical fitness and ability to handle tasks like lifting heavy bags of feed. We need to know you can handle the physical demands of the job, so be clear about your capabilities!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Donkey Sanctuary
✨Know Your Animals
Make sure you brush up on your equine and animal husbandry knowledge. Familiarise yourself with the specific needs of donkeys, as well as general care practices. This will show your passion for the role and help you answer questions confidently.
✨Show Off Your People Skills
Since excellent customer service is key, think of examples where you've successfully interacted with people in previous roles. Be ready to discuss how you handle difficult situations or provide support to visitors, as this will highlight your interpersonal skills.
✨Get Fit and Ready
As the job requires physical fitness, it’s a good idea to demonstrate your ability to lift heavy items and work outdoors. You might want to mention any relevant experiences that showcase your physical capabilities, like lifting feed bags or working in adverse weather.
✨Be Prepared for Practical Questions
Expect questions about daily farm operations and how you would manage tasks like mucking out or feeding. Think through your past experiences and be ready to explain how you would approach these responsibilities, showing your practical knowledge and readiness to learn.
