Harrogate autism charity looking for volunteers
Autism Angels UK are looking for people with experience with horses to help them
A Harrogate charity which supports children with autism through horse therapy are looking for volunteers.
Autism Angels UK, based near Summerbridge, need people who have previous experience with horses to help out.
They need volunteers to help with general maintenance of the farm and horses, helping to feed and look after them before families arrive for sessions and after they leave.
Sarah Kekoa runs Autism Angels UK, who offer training and advice to those who want to help.
She said: "Our volunteers play a huge part in what we do here. We give extensive and in depth, quality training to all of our volunteers and also do wellbeing checks with them too.
"So we'll ask them how they are at the start of a session and at then check in at the end where they can tell us how they're feeling and if they need any extra support.
"We need them coming earlier so they can prepare the horses before families arrive or to stay a little bit later after families have gone. They don't need to commit to a whole day or week, it can be half a day or just a few days a week. Any help is welcome.
"We support people when they get here obviously with the training and there's a lot of learning but they'll get a lot of help from us.
"The volunteers absolutely love it. They keep coming back and come for extra training days. We wouldn't be able to do it if it wasn't for them."
One of the courses Autism Angels UK offers is riding therapy, which allows children to work one to one with a horse.
It gives the children more time to connect with a horse, leading them and riding them, at a pace which is tailored to the child.
Leanne's 15-year-old daughter Evie attends sessions at Autism Angels. She old Greatest Hits it's like Evie is "a completely different child" when she visits.
She said: "She loves the animals and the horses and coming out here. It's pretty much idyllic with country side and fresh air it's so good for her.
"You don't have to worry about another child being mean to them because they're different. She can come here and be herself and be accepted for it.
"She knows it's a safe space where she can be herself and people accept her for who she is.
"She's formed friendships here which is something she's really struggled with. She's had difficulty maintaining friendships but when she comes here she's off with them straight away and having fun.
"She's normally glued to me but not when she comes to the farm. It gives me a bit of respite too."
Today marks the 14th World Autism Awareness Day (2 April) where hundreds of thousands of landmarks, buildings, homes and communities around the world will be lighting up blue in recognition of people with autism and those who love and support them.
The aim is to create a world where all people with autism, across the spectrum and throughout the life span, can reach their full potential.
People who are interested in becoming volunteers can find more information and register here.