A day in the life of a BHWT Volunteer Driver

Dan Coote-Stubbins is a driver with our Essex BHWT Volunteer team, he explains why he finds the role so rewarding

I have always been interested in animals and their welfare, so when I read an article about the work of the British Hen Welfare Trust, I just knew I had to get involved!

I applied for a volunteer driving role; driving to the farm, helping load the hens into crates, driving to the rehoming site, taking the hens out of the crates, and then helping with all aspects of the rehoming. We start around 6:30am on a rehoming day, driving to the farm. We have really good relationships with the farmers which helps the hen collection run smoothly. It’s a well-oiled machine once we start loading and it doesn’t take long.

Once back at the rehoming site we unload straight away. It takes two people to lift a crate as they are quite heavy and then we count chickens. Once empty, each crate is washed and disinfected, ready for the next rehoming.

It can be hard work but it is so rewarding. Watching the hens come out of the crates and seeing the excitement on adopter’s faces is really special. The best thing about volunteering is seeing the hens come out of the cages and get a second chance, but also that you get to work with such a great team of volunteers and meet such lovely people who adopt the hens, it makes every rehoming day really special.

If you are interested in becoming a BHWT volunteer and would like to learn more then please visit our website at bhwt.org.uk/volunteer