Front Page

Anyone who has cared for an animal knows the difference they can make to our lives, whether it’s by bringing us companionship, helping us get out in to the great outdoors more or encouraging us to connect with others.

Throughout the Year of Friendship 2019, Sefton Council and its partners are celebrating groups, individuals and organisations who help foster friendship throughout the borough.

For April, we are shining a light on some of the special relationships that exist between animals and humans across Sefton, and those who benefit from having animal companions in their lives.

Freshfields Animal Rescue is a beloved local charity based in Ince Blundell that cares for abandoned, abused and unwanted domestic and small farm animals, along with sick and injured wildlife. Each year they rescue and rehabilitate hundreds of animals thanks to generous donations from the public and the dedicated work of a committed team of staff and volunteers.

Yet as well as helping their residents flourish and recover, the work they carry out has helped build a network of like-mined volunteers who have bonded over a shared love of animals and who enjoy a “tight-knit” camaraderie of their own.

Naomi Clarke, Community Fundraiser at Freshfields Animal Rescue, said: “It’s well document that with regards to mental health and wellbeing there is a unanimous friendship between animals and humans.

“The friendships that animals bring are so worthwhile. I see the relationships all the time between people and animals here at Freshfields – staff have adopted animals and the difference it’s made to both the animal and the person is huge.

“We’ve got a lot of volunteers that have a real camaraderie between them too. They embrace friendship, they do a lot of things together and they encourage other people to join in as well. They bring their own network of people to come and take part.

“It’s a real tight knit of people at Freshfields and when you see some of the cases that come in and some of the situations that arise, it shows how valuable those friendships are. People here are all striving for the same good – everything we do here is for the benefit of the animals, and that is one thing that everybody’s got in common.”

There are many ways you can get involved with Freshfields Animal Rescue, from fundraising to fostering and helping out at the centre. It’s a brilliant opportunity to make new friends, both human and furry, so why not check out their website and see how you can get involved: https://www.freshfields.org.uk/get-involved/

Freshfields Animal Rescue also has a number of events coming up this year, including a sponsored firewalk and a sponsored abseil down Liverpool Anglican Cathedral, and are looking for people to take part. Click this link to find out more and see how you can help: https://www.freshfields.org.uk/events/

Video produced by Sefton Council. Still image courtesy of Freshfields Animal Rescue.