The Learning Sanctuary

The Learning Sanctuary 🐾 Approved provider of day services for adults with SEND who want to work with animals 🐾

35 years ago… ❤️I came across this photo of Zac in the back of my attic, taken around the time I first knew him, and it ...
02/09/2026

35 years ago… ❤️

I came across this photo of Zac in the back of my attic, taken around the time I first knew him, and it stopped me in my tracks.

Around 35 years ago, I started helping out at SNAC, the after-school provision at Springwater School. I was young and had absolutely no idea where life would take me, but I very quickly knew one thing with complete certainty – this was what I wanted to do with my life.

And that was where I first met Zac. ❤️

I knew then that I wanted my life and career to be spent working alongside people with additional needs – and, 35 years later, that hasn’t changed.

What I could never have known back then was that one day we would create The Learning Sanctuary… and that one of the people there right at the very beginning of our story would somehow find his way back into it.

And here we are, back together 35 years later. A little more rough around the edges, a bit more wrinkly and definitely a bit more tired 😂 – but just as happy to see each other and work together as we ever were. ❤️

Life has a funny way of bringing you full circle.

From Springwater and SNAC all those years ago to The Learning Sanctuary today.

Some people are just meant to cross your path more than once.

Zac, I think we’ve aged rather well. 😉❤️

30/08/2026

🐝🪲🐜🪱A giant millipede might not be everyone’s idea of beautiful, but look a little closer… the incredible detail, the hundreds of tiny legs moving in perfect rhythm, and a creature so wonderfully designed for its place in the natural world.

Beauty isn’t always found in the obvious. Sometimes it’s in the unusual, the overlooked and the misunderstood. 🪱🐜🪲🐝

29/08/2026

🎵🎤☔️The Learning Sanctuary does Car Pool Karaoke. Blasting out the cobwebs on a drizzly wet morning ☔️🎤🎵

29/08/2026

🌿 A man of the land 🌱

Here’s Riley, exploring and educating us on the produce of Mother Nature. 💚

Riley’s fascination with the natural world is a gift. He has a remarkable connection with the earth and an instinctive curiosity for everything that grows and lives on it.

There’s something very special about watching someone completely in their element, and out in nature is where Riley shines.

A true man of the land, with a wealth of knowledge and a genuine love and respect for the living world around him. 🌎💚

And, as always, we’re learning just as much from our volunteers as they are from us.

29/08/2026

There’s always plenty to do at our allotment, from planting, watering and tidying to looking after our lovely chickens. 🐓💚

It’s such a mindful place to spend time — being outdoors, working with your hands, caring for the animals and seeing the results of all your hard work. There’s always a job to get stuck into and something new to learn along the way.

Here’s Emily explaining a little more about what we get up to 🌻💚

🐣🦜🥭Here he is our Mango, out of the nest and starting to flutter 🥭🦜🐣 to say we are proud would be an understatement 🫶 ...
28/08/2026

🐣🦜🥭Here he is our Mango, out of the nest and starting to flutter 🥭🦜🐣 to say we are proud would be an understatement 🫶

28/08/2026

🎱🥤 when all the work is done…..pub here we come 🥤🎱

28/08/2026

✨🫶🐹 Evidence that Mr Pickle does exist!! We knew he was in there somewhere! 🐹🫶✨

Address

2 Knaresborough Road
Harrogate
HG27SP

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 2:30pm
Tuesday 9am - 2:30pm
Wednesday 9am - 2:30pm
Thursday 9am - 2:30pm
Friday 9am - 2:30pm

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