skip to Main Content

Help us win up to £50k of
National Lottery funding!

Voting closes on 15th April

What do we do?

We bring our gentle and friendly miniature donkeys to your community group, voluntary organisation, dementia group or special needs group.

We are based in South Norfolk and operate across Norfolk and Suffolk. Basically, we visit anywhere where a mood boosting donkey visit would help people with their wellbeing.

If you want our donkeys to come to a Wedding, Private Party, Event or even a Funeral we can do that too.

Miniature Donkeys in stable

Why do we do it?

Having worked with family carers professionally and having been a family carer for two parents with dementia, the group’s founder knows firsthand how stress can be relieved by spending time with these beautiful animals.

Sarah lost her mum to dementia in April 2017 and took the decision to set up a social enterprise to bring the benefits of interacting with mini donkeys to as wide an audience as possible.

Office Donkeys

How do you book a visit?

If you would like to find out more about how our visits work or would like to book a visit, you can e-mail us, give us a call or download a booking form.

Our visits do book up quite quickly and if you have a specific date in mind (wedding, summer fete, special birthday) call us to reserve your date. Bookings are confirmed on receipt of a completed booking form.

Mini Donks on Facebook

Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons
This message is only visible to admins.
Problem displaying Facebook posts. Backup cache in use.
Error: Error validating access token: The session has been invalidated because the user changed their password or Facebook has changed the session for security reasons.
Type: OAuthException

Nino, our very own Head of No One Knows what, is a simple and very precious soul. She loves with her whole heart. She expresses joy without reserve. And she loves her donkey family sooooo much. She is not a barker or a howler, apart from when the donkeys let go with a whole herd hee haw. We managed to catch the end of this group hee haw howl this afternoon ……..enjoy!
(Must be watched with sound on!!)
... See MoreSee Less

Comment on Facebook

Lol

No no sound!! Started the bassets howling here 🤦‍♀️

Absolutely wonderful so lovely to hear x bless Nino xx ❤️🫏🐕❤️

Oh how lovely xxx

Aww bless, what a lovely sound of them mini donks, and Nino so chilled 💕 🫏 💕 🫏 💕 🐕

Precious ❤

Awe! I just love all of that! Thank you for sharing. It made my day.

Loved that..made me smile.😂😂Thank you.

View more comments

Some of you may remember my previous posts from this time of year, about the little known fact that donkeys shed their ears at this precise time of year. Well, some of you seemed to think that this was some sort of wind-up, in spite of my photos providing evidence to the contrary. I can now share some new emerging evidence that shortly before they shed their ears, due to the extra weight of the new ears growing internally, their heads become so heavy that they cannot carry the weight, and have to rest their heads on any available human.
Who would believe it?!?
... See MoreSee Less

Comment on Facebook

Brilliant, who knew 😉 xxx

I believe you!

Does that mean we don't have to knit any more ears for now 🤔 😂🤣

I've heard of Four Eyes but .....

Ha I was thinking the same thing Fran Bussey , no more Ears. Poor Donks, no ears is not good. Give them all a scratch from me xxx

🤣🤣

I absolutely believe you xx 💕💕

😂😂

I’m available 🤣🤣🤣🤣

You learn something new every April 1st.

View more comments

Day 2 of the Dinky Donk Pop Up shop at Castle Quarter in Norwich today, Saturday 30th March. There may not be any donkeys on site today, but there are sooooo many donkey themed items for sale, and every sale helps to support our well-being work. In 2023 we delivered over 170 visits to settings as diverse as care homes, psychiatric hospitals, hospices, dementia groups, day services, prisons, nursing homes, brain injury support groups, sheltered housing units, supported living services and many more. This means that we have delivered some much needed therapeutic donkey time to well over 5,000 people. Wow 😮 The sheer joy that our little donkeys bring cannot be underestimated. We see the movement that they stimulate in someone recovering from brain injury. One physio said that 10 minutes with our donkeys 🫏 and a brush had achieved more than her previous 3 sessions put together. We are privileged to hear the stories of people’s lives, stimulated into telling by the sight and touch of our gentle donkeys. The very smartly dressed gentleman in a care home who asked me to walk the donkey up and down in front of him, who then ran his expert hands over the donkey and pronounced, “Well done, you have an excellent donkey there. Perfect conformation and well turned out.” He had been a county level show judge, and in that moment he was back in his prime, judging a donkey, using his lifetime of skills and knowledge. He was not “just” a resident in a nursing home living with dementia. A very special moment for both us.
Sorry, digressed a bit there. But if you would like to support the work we do, go and meet some of our amazing two legged team, treat yourself to something from our Pop Up shop, and share a bit of Minidonk Magic.
... See MoreSee Less

Comment on Facebook

Pop up shop looks very nice. Well done. Xx

Thank you for all my son's bits.. as he is unwell his banaanas and avocado..cheered him up xx

Omg that looks amazing 👏

OK Minidonkers. We need your help. As you know, we get regular spammers trying to get you to send them friend requests. We also had a heart stopping moment a few weeks ago when Facebook experienced “issues”. Well, we have now had a couple of messages, supposedly from Meta, saying that they are going to shut our account down due to inappropriate content.
I am pretty sure these are scam messages, trying to get me to click on a dodgy link, but I would just like some reassurance from some of you lovely regular Minidonkers, that you are still seeing our posts, that you can still comment, and that everything seems to be running as usual.
Jack and Nino are both looking very worried 😟
**** UPDATE ****
Thank you all for your comments and reassurance - my mind is much easier and I have told Jack and Nino that they can sleep easy tonight. Xxx
... See MoreSee Less

OK Minidonkers. We need your help. As you know, we get regular spammers trying to get you to send them friend requests. We also had a heart stopping moment a few weeks ago when Facebook experienced “issues”. Well, we have now had a couple of messages, supposedly from Meta, saying that they are going to shut our account down due to inappropriate content.
I am pretty sure these are scam messages, trying to get me to click on a dodgy link, but I would just like some reassurance from some of you lovely regular Minidonkers, that you are still seeing our posts, that you can still comment, and that everything seems to be running as usual. 
Jack and Nino are both looking very worried 😟
**** UPDATE ****
Thank you all for your comments and reassurance - my mind is much easier and I have told Jack and Nino that they can sleep easy tonight. XxxImage attachment

Comment on Facebook

All received 💖

I can still see your posts 👍🏼

All received ❤️

We’ve gotten the same thing. I forwarded them to Facebook and they were scams.

Love seeing your posts xxx

Just seen your post. These scamming folk are getting more and more devious. Had an email this week purporting to be from someone I know (a bit) who wanted me to send an Apple voucher to someone else (unspecified) purporting to be urgent, because he was away from home and having problems with internet. I ignored it. Am now even more sure it wasn't him in the first place.

Everything all ok here. Ignore the messages from scammers!

i’ve just seen lovely photos as usual

Yes can see your posts and LOVE ❤️ them x

Yep, all visible x

Still seeing posts. I manage a PTA page and have had the same messages looking like they are from meta. We just ignored They defo are spam. Happy Easter to you all. Xxx

❤️🐾 all ok

I see them ❤️

All good here xxx

These scam messages are rife.. I have received a few over the past few months. If you ever want to know if a violation is genuine, go into your settings and i think its under security.. there is a section somewhere that shows any genuine correspondence from fb. Only ever respond to anything in there to be sure.

There seem to be more and more problems with FB and other social media platforms but, as yet, I can still receive your wonderful updates.

I’m seeing your posts way over here in the county 😂 . Sending hugs and cuddles to Jack and Nino.. and to the rest of the herd as well x

I still get all your posts!

Tell Jack & Nino not to worry. All is good. 😊

Can see your lovely posts x

💜

Don’t look worried Jack and Nino. Everything is ok ❤️

I can see your posts

AOK for me

All seems normal this end!

View more comments

Whoop whoop 🙌 We have some really lovely supporters out there and their support will all be coming together this weekend. Castle Quarter have supported us for years, inviting us to bring our shop (and sometimes donkeys too!) to share the Minidonk Magic. Our wonderful band of Minidonk Makers have been knitting, crocheting and stitching away, to bring you the most creative, imaginative and fun range of “wellbeings”. Will Ava the avocado 🥑 make an appearance, will your favourite positive potatoes 🥔appear in special Easter form? And then our wonderful team of volunteers will be there to tell you all about our well-being work, and help you choose the Wellbeing to meet your needs! (The donkeys will not be in attendance at this event, but will be back visiting Castle Quarter later in the year.)The ever-popular Miniature Donkeys for Wellbeing: Dinky Donk Pop-Up Stand is at the Castle Quarter this Friday and Saturday. They have a selection of mini-donkey-themed goodies for everyone.

Please note the mini-donkeys will not be in attendance.

#castlequarter #alwaysareason #shopdinewatchplay #community #Norwich
... See MoreSee Less

Whoop whoop 🙌 We have some really lovely supporters out there and their support will all be coming together this weekend. Castle Quarter have supported us for years, inviting us to bring our shop (and sometimes donkeys too!) to share the Minidonk Magic. Our wonderful band of Minidonk Makers have been knitting, crocheting and stitching away, to bring you the most creative, imaginative and fun range of “wellbeings”. Will Ava the avocado 🥑 make an appearance, will your favourite positive potatoes 🥔appear in special Easter form? And then our wonderful team of volunteers will be there to tell you all about our well-being work, and help you choose the Wellbeing to meet your needs! (The donkeys will not be in attendance at this event, but will be back visiting Castle Quarter later in the year.)

Comment on Facebook

Looks amazing Linda, loving the new lines💕

Beautiful ❤️

Looks amazing x happy selling xx 💖🫏💖🫏💖🫏💖🫏💖🫏

Gosh your merchandise stall is impressive!

If you fancy some springtime retail therapy, the Minidonk Pop Up Shop will be out and about! The donkeys are still enjoying their extended break and the MD is still on the injury bench, unable to drive, so these events will be pure retail luxury (no donkeys). You might fancy one of our new calendars, you might want to pick up one of our exciting range of knitted beauties, or you might want to explore our wondeful range of “well-beings” from positive potatoes (some with a special Easter surprise!), to Ava the avocado 🥑, bananas 🍌 , peas 🫛 carrots 🥕 - so many to choose from and all of which will help to cheer up a friend or family member and send a positive message to a loved one.

Our first three spring events are
Emmaus Spring Festival, Ditchingham, Saturday 23rd March from 10 - 3pm
Castle Quarter (inside event) Good Friday, 29th March 9am -4pm
Castle Quarter (inside event) Saturday 30th March 9am - 4pm
... See MoreSee Less

Comment on Facebook

Jessica Taylor

We are on the lookout 👀 for people to join our awesome Minidonk Visit Volunteer team! What we need from our visit volunteers:
Can do attitude
Able to get yourself to our rural location for induction and training sessions, and able to get yourself to our well-being visits which may be at remote rural locations across Norfolk and Suffolk
Physically able to lift a certain amount of weight (carrying aluminium sheep hurdles, unloading and putting up gazebos as part of a team, able to lead donkeys and anchor on if they spot a bunch of flowers before you do!)
A commitment to equality, diversity and safeguarding
A sense of fun 🤩
To be available to come out on our visits on a regular basis. We understand that this will vary from person to person, we just need to know what time you will be able to commit
What we can offer you:
Being part of the best volunteer team in the whole world 🌎 (we are biased, but our volunteers really are a wonderful bunch of people)
Training and support to learn all about donkey behaviour, handling and welfare
The opportunity to use some of your time to make a real difference to people on every single visit
Payment of expenses for travel and any out of pocket expenses
Spending time with our most important team members - the Minidonks.

We are based in rural South Norfolk and our visits take place across Norfolk, Suffolk, East Cambridgeshire and North Essex. Volunteers travel with us on the Minidonk lorry for our further afield visits.

We do have other volunteering opportunities, for example with our wonderful team of Minidonk Makers, which will share more information about in due course.
If you think you could spare some time to help us deliver our wonderful well-being visits, please email volunteer@minidonks.org.Uk
Thank you 😊
... See MoreSee Less

Comment on Facebook

Wish I lived closer. I would love to volunteer with you ! Bit of a long commute from USA though 🫏♥️🫏

Would love to do this but, unfortunately, haven't got my own transport.

When I retire please may I join.....

Would like an update of the info to be one of your mini donks makers again!

Glenda Taylor

Would love to help. I work as a co farmer on a care farm in wickham market I’m based in Claydon Suffolk

If only I didn’t work full time otherwise would be there x

Sarah

If only I lived closer and wasn't allergic to horses! 🤣

View more comments

It’s been a busy old week at Minidonk HQ. The lovely Claire Hughes has joined us a Deputy Manager and the incomparable Julie Andrews is cracking on with booking in all our rescheduled visits and all the visit enquiries we have had in the last couple of months. Our very own super-merchandiser Linda White has been busy finding new outlets to stock our wares, organising shop events and liaising with our wondeful team of Minidonk Makers. And our volunteer team have been visiting the donks in their holiday accommodation, keeping them ticking over and reminding them that they are therapy donkeys, not a herd of wild hooligans! Added to that we have our annual monitoring report for our super-funders The National Lottery Community Fund to finalise and submit, along with new funding bids to complete, policies to update, accounts to finalise and new volunteer induction sessions to organise. Pheww! The MD is making a steady recovery and is looking forward to being back behind the wheel, being out and about delivering our very special brand of Minidonk Magic. ... See MoreSee Less

Comment on Facebook

A a very busy time by the sounds of it. Glad everyone is okay and that you’re on the road to recovery. So looking forward to seeing you all soon XX

Claire Hughes will be fab, love these pictures they are so lovely, what a lovely chance to bring so much happiness to so many people.

Absolutely beautiful pictures looks like a great time love to you all xxx xxx 💘💘💘💘

How lucky am I to get to work with such an amazing team. Sarah (MD) and Julie (awesome) have made me feel so welcomed and valued. I can't wait to meet the rest of the team and continue to make such a massive difference with each wave of the Minidonk magic wand. 😍🫏🐴🥕

Gorgeous photos love them ❤️ welcome Claire Hughes to the amazing team minidonks where I’m sure you will be made very welcome and very jealous of all the cuddles that you are going to get 😊🤗 x good to hear the MD is getting there also Linda White doing what she certainly is best at 🤩x have a blessed Sunday all x sending lots of love 💕 and snuggles to muzzles 💕🫏💕💕🫏💕🫏💕

It's all go 👍

Fabulous photo's as usual ❤️ welcome Clair Hughes to this amazing team at mini donkey's 😊 glad you are getting better now Sarah and back on your feet, sending big hugs and kisses to those wonderful donks 💘 🫏 💘 🫏 💘 🫏

Ooh that reminds me - we need more hats!

View more comments

Sponsor a Donkey

Make a Donation

Mini Donks Donations

Feedback from previous visits

We were delighted with your visit, all ages and abilities loved the friendly donkeys.

You get smiles where nothing else can – thank you so much

The donkeys came to visit our tenants and Pippin went into the room of a very poorly lady. The look on her face was priceless. Thank you for bringing some joy and love to our setting.

Pixie and Bo Peep were the best behaved donkeys ever, our residents thoroughly enjoyed their visit… I cannot recommend Sarah, her donkeys and fabulous volunteers enough.

Amazing reactions of residents, especially those with restricted communication. Thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Smiles all round, thank you.

My mum is one of the residents you refer to. I visited her this evening, words are a struggle but she was definitely trying to tell me about the donkeys! Thank you so much for visiting her.

You kindly took two little donkeys into my wife’s room, to say it made our day is very much an understatement, in fact my wife said ‘it is something I will never forget’.

Your visit encouraged the residents outside into the sunshine. They enjoyed stroking and interacting with the donkeys as well as chatting to each other. So nice to see them enjoying themselves. Thank you.

Thank you, they were amazing. The patients loved them.

Highlights were being able to have the donkeys up close even for residents nursed in bed, to be able to tell residents’ families about the visit and have photos to show them. Sarah and volunteers went out of their way to make it a special visit. More visits, more donkeys, we love you!

You guys (most of all the donkeys) are awesome. Bringing joy and happiness to people who can’t get out easily. Keep up the good work

The main highlight has to be with one resident who never leaves her bedroom. This lady suffers from dementia and the donkeys visited her in her bedroom. As soon as she saw them her face lit up. She absolutely loved them.

It was all fantastic but the room visits were the best. Had me in tears the reactions we had.

The residents enjoyed interacting with the donkeys and being able to touch them. They were interested to hear all about them and they loved them being in the lounge as most of the residents are not able to get outside.

It was the most special visit for our residents, staff and extended families. Thank you so much.

Cart
Back To Top