From Injured Hedgehogs to Healing Humans: The Unexpected Links Between Wildlife and Wellbeing

It may not be the first place you’d expect to find health in action, but Hornbeam Wood Hedgehog Sanctuary in rural Hertfordshire is quietly saving lives — both prickly and human.

At IDS Media UK, we work in spaces where health and care come together. That’s why we’re proud to support a charity where compassion, rehabilitation, and education go hand in hand.

Wild Animals, Real Risks

Each year, Hornbeam Wood Hedgehog Sanctuary rescues over 300 hedgehogs, many of which are injured by vehicles, harmed by garden netting, poisoned by slug pellets or plastic waste, or left undernourished due to habitat loss. These animals are cared for in a purpose-built hedgehog hospital, run entirely by volunteers and one full-time staff member: the founder, Martin Maylin.

The physical care these hedgehogs receive is mirrored in the community’s engagement with the sanctuary itself. From hands-on learning to outdoor volunteering, the activities at the sanctuary promote healthier lifestyles and deeper understanding of our place in the natural world.

Learning by Doing

Over 9,500 school children have visited the sanctuary to take part in education and awareness sessions. For many, it’s their first time seeing the tangible results of physical injury in wildlife — and how human behaviour contributes. These experiences don’t just foster environmental understanding; they start conversations about responsibility, wellbeing, and the power of care.

The Bigger Picture

Supporting physical health isn’t just about hospitals and clinics. It’s also about early interventions, preventive education, and promoting lifestyles that keep people active, outdoors, and connected to meaningful causes.

That’s what Hornbeam Wood Hedgehog Sanctuary delivers every day. And it’s why IDS Media UK believes in partnerships like this. Whether it’s inside a GP surgery or out in the hedgerows, we support health at every level.

Join the Cause

Want to see real impact in action? Support the sanctuary through donations, team volunteering days, or school visits. Together, we can care for our communities — spines and all.

Find out more at www.hornbeamwood.org.uk and follow their incredible stories on social media.