Celebrating volunteers on Make A Difference Day

Across the South East, the first Make A Difference Day is shining a light on the power of volunteering.

From a therapy pony visiting care homes in East Sussex, to a farm in Surrey visited by children who are struggling with school, we speak to those who are making a difference at grass roots level.

The Make a Difference awards recognises and celebrates people who give their time to improve their communities.

One such dedicated person is Mel Adams, a digital coach at WeClick, which is run solely by volunteers who help and empower people with digital skills.

Adams told the BBC the 'making a difference feeling' was "like no other".

"People walk in here with a crisis, they get help, and come back and volunteer," she adds.

"No matter what skills you've got, there's always someone who needs help, even if it's having a cup of tea with somebody who has been through it."

In the last year WeClick, based in Maidstone, has helped 2,000 people improve their skills.

Zoe teams up with Rosie, an award-winning therapy falabella (the smallest horse breed) and they visit rest homes and schools in the Bexhill and Hastings area.

The 12-year-old mare was rescued from neglect and when Zoe noticed her affinity for interacting with people, she trained and registered her as a licensed therapy animal.

Zoe said: "I recall once when we went to visit a very elderly lady in a nursing home whom hadn't spoken for six months

"The lady's family and carers were there and she actually said 'I love you Rosie'."

Rosie also makes appearances at fundraisers, local charity events, carnivals - and has also been cast as the donkey in a nativity at Christmas.

Another project that is also making a difference is Huckleberries in Elstead, Surrey.

Founded more than six years ago, it is a forest school for children who are struggling at school.

The founder, Beverley Cook, says some of the children they help are neurodiverse, or dealing with childhood trauma or having a difficult time at home.

Cook, a former school governor, said she started the project as some children "really benefited from being around nature, other children and looking after animals".

The school also has a yurt for arts and crafts, a music area, goats, ducks, chickens, guinea pigs, and pottery and woodwork classes.

Cook believes the forest school is "unique" because it "offers free spaces for children who don't have any other support available".

She adds children are referred to the school by mainstream schools and the local authority.

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