History of bird aid
“Where Gulls come first, not last!”
The story of Bird Aid and the rollercoaster journey of making sure nobody feels overlooked but more appreciated and ready for life.
With 2025 being our 15 year anniversary, we wanted to write a brief outline of the origin of Bird Aid as some of our followers might not be aware of the philosophy and
reasons why we exist, how your support makes such a big difference and why it means so much to us.
Why and how it started
Bird Aid was founded in 2010 by Julia Gould with support from her husband, Ian, and friends Wendy and Darren Grice in her Eastbourne home with 25 disabled Gulls who were
saved from being put to sleep.
Julia had worked for many years at other rescue centres and had gained knowledge from working alongside vets, visiting other wildlife hospitals and hands on experience
with wild birds. The story started in 2006 when Julia had volunteered to care for the orphaned garden birds from a local rescue as there were no facilities available to them. After consultation
and training at more experienced centres, Julia’s garage and garden became a mini site where the babies could be cared for. When other rescues closed, she was left to carry on caring for the
long-term birds until they could be released.
Julia then started helping Gulls and, when that rescue also closed, she took the 25 disabled Gulls home and Bird Aid began. There was a stoic quality to Gulls that made
Julia determined to fight their cause. The constant attitude of “We don’t do Gulls” from other rescues made her focus on providing a place where Gulls would come first, not last.
At the same time, Julia and Ian were all too aware of the lack of opportunities for young learning-disabled people just like their eldest son who was leaving his college
with very little support offered. It was therefore decided that they would not only help overlooked animals, but overlooked people as well. Bird Aid was set up with the joint aim of rescuing Gulls,
but also to help provide work experience and a safe place for learning-disabled people who have limited options.
The next steps
Although a few birds and youngsters could be helped every year at their Eastbourne home, it soon became clear that a bigger site was needed. The search began for
an affordable place, away from potential complaining neighbours but with room for Gull aviaries and with no planning issues about setting up the necessary infrastructure. The perfect place was found
and Bird Aid moved to Hydeaway in 2013.
With an existing triple garage, stables and a pond to supply water, the task of building and converting began. Most of the buildings were built by Ian with some
additional help. Without his free labour, we would never have been able to afford the aviaries we now have as most of the costs were also paid by him and Julia with some help from a few supporters
and some limited grants.
The concept seemed to be working, the youngsters who came at the start enjoyed helping with the animals while also learning building and gardening work. Each year we
improved the facilities until we got to this present point where we have all that we can achieve without expanding and compromising the maintenance of a wildlife friendly
environment.
One step back, 2 steps forward
After a few years Hydeaway was threatened with closure unless we could raise the money to buy the site. By this time, we had extensive facilities and were saving approx.
500 gulls every year. With relocation impossible, a campaign was started to raise the necessary funds, so that Bird Aid could stay here. Thanks to the publicity and generosity of many supporters, we
raised enough money. Bird Aid are now the official owners of the land and, with the constant uncertainty removed, Bird Aid can now concentrate on planning for the future.
During this period Bird Aid decided to open a shop in Hailsham and have now added a small café next door. This gives more variety of work experience and has
become a safe place for the community to visit and have some affordable food and drink in a family atmosphere. The manager of the shop has a passion for helping disadvantaged people and runs regular
discos, as well as, taking a group of our volunteers on holiday every year.
At the rescue centre, we have an average of 500 birds taken in every year, and many disabled Gulls also live here. We have our hands full as it is a constant
struggle to find enough money to cover the increasing costs and enough people to volunteer.
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