08 January 2021

#CoronaChronicles 2021: Week One

Welcome back to the #CoronaChronicles! With all areas of the UK plunged once again into lockdown, we thought we’d bring our weekly blog back to life to give you a glimpse of how we are coping behind the scenes, how your kind donations are supporting us and our rescued horses, and to - hopefully - raise a smile!

First off, despite the challenging circumstances, we hope all our supporters have enjoyed a happy and healthy start to the New Year. We know it’s not the start we had all wished for (and everything feels a bit like Groundhog Day), but we know that by pulling together once again we will all make it through this crisis.

At Redwings, having adapted our working practices at the start of the first lockdown back in March, we already have in place Covid-secure systems of working to ensure our staff remain safe while our rescued horses and donkeys still receive the specialist care they need. These practices are reviewed regularly to ensure they continue to follow the ever-evolving Government guidance.

For now, our welfare line (01508 481008) will remain open but please be aware that our field officers will be prioritising emergency cases only at this time. Having designed a new virtual application process for our rehoming scheme last spring, we also hope to be able to continue finding loving new homes outside the Sanctuary for our rescued horses during this current lockdown.

Sadly, while we had hoped to welcome supporters to some of our visitor centres this weekend, our doors will now be remaining closed until mid-February when the current lockdown restrictions are due to be reviewed. We’re very sorry to cause any disappointment, but we look forward to seeing you again as soon as we can. Please keep an eye on our website here and our social media channels for updates on the visiting options at each of our centres.

While you may not be able to visit in person, there are still plenty of ways to get involved with Redwings. Just click here to find out more, including information on our Young Reds At Home Academy – a free online resource of educational quizzes, colouring sheets and activities to help our young supporters learn more about Redwings and equine welfare. If you’re staying at home with your little ones, hopefully this will help provide some extra entertainment!

We’re also delighted to announce that we will soon be offering virtual visits for schools and community groups! Thanks to the magic of MS Teams or Zoom, we’re gearing up to provide talks about Redwings, horse care and even virtual meet ‘n’ greets with our rescued residents. The virtual visits will launch in February but you can make enquiries and bookings now! Please click here to find out more and register your interest.

Be assured that whatever happens in the coming weeks, our priority is and will always remain helping horses in need. Despite the extraordinary challenges of 2020, we brought nearly 180 horses and donkeys into the safety of the Sanctuary last year – one of our largest intakes in recent years! They included Howell (pictured top), a young pony who was suffering from a crippling untreated hoof abscess on Gelligaer Common in south Wales. He will now enjoy a safe and loving forever home at Redwings and is the face of our New Year appeal.

Everything we do is 100% funded by donations. You can help ensure we can still be there for ponies like Howell by supporting our appeal. Simply call 01508 481000 or click here to find out more ways you can donate.

Thank you #RedwingsAngels