Group: Curly Tails
Project: Grow, Enrich, Thrive
Grant: £10,000
Fund: Community Fund
Combining animal rescue and welfare with education, wellbeing and therapy for humankind, Curly Tails enriches the lives of young people, particularly those with SEND, as well as the wider community in general. Through their range of learning and therapeutic activities, they improve mental health, confidence and self-worth, whilst teaching practical, life and soft skills. Alongside this, they provide a sanctuary for mistreated, neglected and abandoned pigs and micro pigs.
Using funding from the Heart of Bucks Community Fund, Curly Tails have significantly enhanced and expanded their facilities, creating more welcoming and engaging spaces for learning and therapeutic activities.
New classrooms have been created to provide additional educational space, while dedicated outdoor learning and Forest School areas offer opportunities for children to learn and explore in a natural environment. A new nature garden, complete with a large pond, has also been developed, creating a valuable space for observing wildlife, learning about the natural world and supporting hands-on learning beyond the classroom, while providing an important habitat for local insects, plants and wildlife.
One of the new classrooms has become a ‘calm room’. For children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), unfamiliar environments and sensory overload can be overwhelming. The calm room provides a quiet, welcoming space where they can take a break from the main activities and regulate their emotions in a safe environment. Equipped with soft furnishings, fidget toys and games, it is already an important part of the sanctuary’s offer. The room is used regularly, particularly to support children and families on low incomes, many of whom have SEND or experience behaviours that challenge.
“The children had a wonderful time, learnt so much and the whole trip felt so calm. Your team were incredible with the children, and it was clear that our little ones were so comfortable with you all.”
The impact extends beyond the children and young people who use the new spaces. Around 500 corporate volunteers from businesses across Buckinghamshire have helped to build and create them, strengthening connections with colleagues while supporting their own wellbeing and contributing to their local community.
With these facilities now in place, Curly Tails is well positioned to continue expanding its reach and creating lasting benefits for the community for years to come.
