Wings to Wellness Program: Building Wellbeing Through Animals

Many people experience isolation, poor wellbeing, low confidence, or barriers that make it difficult to engage with work, education, training, volunteering, or traditional support services. 

Wings to Wellness, an animal care program designed to address these challenges, allows for meaningful participation in animal care and community activities. 

In a calm, welcoming, and supportive environment, participants can build confidence, develop skills, establish routines, and connect with others while caring for animals, enhancing their overall experience in this community support initiative.

F – Freedom: Be yourself in a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment, enhanced by our community support initiative.

L – Learning: Develop new skills and build confidence through our animal care program. 

A – Application: See the benefits of your efforts—for the animals and for yourself as part of our Wings to Wellness journey.

P – Progress: Move forward to the next chapter of your life, whether it’s a new job, expanding your network, or personal growth—with or without us.

We understand that taking the first step can feel daunting, and finding the courage may take time. Our community support initiative is always here to discuss what your journey could look like—even if you’re not ready yet.

People experiencing loneliness, isolation, or seeking wellbeing can greatly benefit from community support initiatives like our animal care program. This includes young individuals who are not in Education, Employment, or Training (NEET), neurodiverse individuals, and adults seeking purpose and social connections. Additionally, those returning to volunteering or employment and young people on supported placements (16+) can find value in our offerings. SEN students (16+) and young adults, along with Duke of Edinburgh participants, also have opportunities to engage through the Wings to Wellness program.

We welcome referrals from:  Self-referral Individuals Social Prescribers GP Practices NHS Services Mind Jobcentre Plus SEN Teams Adult Social Care Housing Providers Community Groups as part of our community support initiative, including our animal care program and the Wings to Wellness program.

Meaningful animal care program activities, along with community support initiatives, foster social connection, build confidence, and create valuable learning opportunities. These efforts contribute to a supportive environment, complemented by Wings to Wellness travel support (subject to eligibility).