This week marked a real shift for us. For the first time since the storm, rebuilding has started to feel tangible. Not just something we’re talking about, but something we’re actively doing.
We were joined by two incredible volunteer groups, and I honestly can't put into words how blown away we were by the sheer number of people who showed up for us and got stuck in. People lifted, cleared, carried, sorted, and worked relentlessly... some of them refusing to stop even when we told them to take a much-needed break.
It was very humbling, but it also taught us something important. We’ve learned very quickly that, as grateful as we are for every single offer of help, we do need to cap volunteer numbers for now. Not because there isn’t enough to do (there is always more than enough!), but because our team is very small and we have a responsibility to ensure people are safe, supported, and able to work effectively. If tools run out, guidance isn’t available, or people are left standing unsure of what to do, that’s not fair on anyone, and in an active recovery site, it’s not something we can risk.
What these volunteer groups achieved, though, was extraordinary. In several areas of the sanctuary, we now have something we didn’t expect to reach so soon: almost complete blank slates. No longer the remnants of broken homes, damaged structures, and debris - but clean, open spaces, ready for something new to be built. That alone has been a huge psychological shift for us.
We're moving a little slower than some might expect, and we want to be open about why.
This is our chance not just to rebuild, but to rethink. The storm has forced us to ask some important questions. What have we learned from the damage? What worked, and what didn’t? What have we learned about our residents and their different needs? How can we design spaces that are safer, more resilient, and better suited to the animals who call this place home?
So right now, we’re putting our heads together. There’s a lot of research, a lot of planning, and yes, a lot of meetings fuelled by cups of tea! Once we’ve done that groundwork, we’d love to involve you in helping bring these new designs to life. This feels like an opportunity to create something genuinely better, not just replace what was lost.
Alongside the physical work, we’re also being incredibly mindful about finances. Your donations have been given with so much trust and generosity, and we feel a huge responsibility to make sure every pound is spent wisely. That means taking time to source properly, plan carefully, and ensure that what we build now will last... not just for the sanctuary, but for you too, as people who have so kindly invested in our future.
Perhaps the biggest change this week, though, has been in morale. What felt like a complete loss of hope has transformed into something we’re struggling to put into words. From something truly awful, especially the loss of our beautiful Lilly, has come something powerful. An entire community has stepped forward and continues to do so, and we don’t want to lose that feeling.
This isn’t just about money or materials. It’s about the schoolchildren raising funds in their classrooms, or simply learning about kindness and the difference small acts can make. It’s about the volunteers who have already helped, and the many more waiting patiently for their chance to join us. It’s about the businesses offering support, advice, and encouragement. It’s about connection, friendship, and a shared belief that this place - and the lives here - really matter.
We want Brockswood to remain a special place not just for our animals, but for you too.
As we look ahead, we’re thinking carefully about what comes next. One of the biggest questions we’re working through is order. We can’t rebuild everything at once, much as we wish we could. So behind the scenes, there’s been a lot of discussion about priorities. Who has been impacted the most? Who has been displaced the longest? Which residents need stability restored first?
Welfare remains at the heart of every decision we make, and that’s what will guide the next phase of rebuilding.
A few weeks ago, we couldn’t see beyond the immediate damage in front of us. Being able to look forward now, to be able to plan, imagine, and hope - feels nothing short of incredible.
We’re more determined than ever. And we’re so glad you’re here with us as this next chapter unfolds.
Claire Thompson
Sanctuary Manager
