Welcome to Creating Sanctuary
A place for animals, people and land to flourish together
A developing land-based social enterprise bringing together regenerative animal care, nature restoration, practical learning and community wellbeing.
A Different Kind of Sanctuary
Creating Sanctuary is a developing vision for a place where animals, people and the natural environment are supported together.
Through mindful animal keeping, regenerative land management and meaningful community involvement, we hope to create a space that nurtures wellbeing, restores nature and gives people opportunities to learn, contribute and belong.
Where animals help people find their way back to themselves.
What We Are Creating
A sustainable, land-based social enterprise bringing together:
Animal-led healing and personal development
Compassionate, natural animal care
Community connection and participation
Regenerative land management
Biodiversity, nature restoration and community growing
Where Healing and Connection Begin
We believe horses and other animals can help people reconnect with parts of themselves that everyday life can easily bury. Through their presence, honesty and sensitivity, animals can create opportunities for calm, confidence, self-awareness and meaningful personal growth.
Our vision is to create a land-based sanctuary where these relationships can unfold naturally—supported by compassionate animal care, restorative environments and a strong sense of community.
It would be a place where animals are respected as sentient partners, people feel welcome and the land is cared for as part of the healing relationship.
Healing Through Animals
Creating opportunities for people to experience the calming, grounding and transformative presence of horses and other animals.
Rooted in Nature
Caring for the land in ways that restore biodiversity, support animal wellbeing and help people reconnect with the natural world.
What Creating Sanctuary Brings Together
Animals remain at the heart of the vision, supported by opportunities for people, communities and the natural world to thrive.
Healing With Horses
Providing safe, respectful opportunities to experience the grounding, healing and transformative presence of horses.
Restoring Land and Nature
Bringing together responsible animal keeping, productive growing, habitat creation and regenerative land management to help the natural environment flourish.
Community Connection and Wellbeing
Providing a welcoming space where people can reconnect with themselves, build confidence, develop relationships and feel that they belong.
Learning And Employability
Building practical skills through animal care, horticulture and land-based learning, with opportunities for volunteering, employability and intergenerational connection.
Meet The Founder
Rachel Sartain
Rachel brings together extensive professional experience in education, children’s and youth work, employability and the third sector, alongside a lifelong connection with animals and a deep interest in human and animal wellbeing.
Over the past several years, she has developed a business centred around animals, education, energy work and supporting people to build greater confidence, self-awareness and connection. Through this work, she has seen first-hand the powerful role animals can play in helping people feel safe, understood and more connected to themselves.
Her previous experience also includes developing and delivering award-winning intergenerational projects, bringing younger and older people together through shared learning and meaningful activity.
Creating Sanctuary brings these different strands together in one land-based vision: animals at the heart of healing and personal growth, opportunities for people to participate and belong, and a commitment to restoring and caring for the natural environment.
A lifelong vision shaped by animals, people and the power of connection.
OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLES
What Will Shape Creating Sanctuary
Animals As Partners
Animals will be respected as sentient individuals and willing partners, with their physical, emotional and social wellbeing placed at the heart of every decision.
A Place To Belong
We aim to create a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment where people can participate, build confidence and develop meaningful connections.
Meaningful Community Benefit
Programmes and partnerships will be developed around genuine local needs, creating opportunities for learning, volunteering, wellbeing and connection across generations.
A Place To Belong
We aim to create a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment where people can participate, build confidence and develop meaningful connections.
Care For The Land
The land will be managed thoughtfully to support animal wellbeing, restore habitats, encourage biodiversity and create a healthier natural environment.
LAND AND FUNDING PARTNERSHIPS
Creating Sanctuary is currently seeking the land and funding partnerships needed to develop this vision into a sustainable, land-based social enterprise.
We are looking for a suitable setting within East Lothian where animals can live naturally, people can experience their healing presence and the land itself can be restored through thoughtful, regenerative management.
Help Us Find the Ground on Which This Vision Can Grow
We would particularly welcome conversations with:
• Landowners, farmers or estates interested in a lease, partnership or alternative land-use arrangement
• Trusts, foundations and funders supporting community wellbeing, education, employability, animal welfare or environmental restoration
• Organisations interested in developing or funding an innovative, long-term model of community benefit
If you have land, funding or a potential partnership that could help Creating Sanctuary take root, we would love to start a conversation.
