Where does Children in Need money go in county?

Tasha Mansha can now provide the children with hot meals thanks to support from BBC Children in Need and Stoke-on-Trent City Council

Charities receiving grants from BBC Children in Need have explained how they use the money to improve the lives of young people in Staffordshire.

SPLAT, which provides children with free activities and hot meals across Blurton, Shelton and Tunstall in Stoke-on-Trent, has received grants for three years.

"SPLAT is a really kind place to be," smiled 10 year old Darcie, "All the people are really nice and kind."

Heather Sheldon from Alice Charity, supporting babies and toddlers in the city and Newcastle-under-Lyme, added: "Children in Need is vital for us an organisation."

Tunstall kids enjoyed pumpkin carving, arts, crafts and games at a half term SPLAT session

The annual fundraiser is getting into full swing, with teams from radio stations across the country, including BBC Radio Stoke taking part in a Thousand Mile Challenge, collectively walking that distance three-legged.

Those in receipt of the proceeds have been talking about the benefits.

Social Physical Learning Activities Together (SPLAT) was founded by Tasha Mansha.

She told BBC Radio Stoke her organisation offered children aged 4-12 years old opportunities that make them feel valued and important.

"They [Children in Need] have allowed young people to come to the sessions, get involved in positive engaging activities, make new friends, feel safe, have some food and have that place to be," she listed.

SPLAT's model encourages former participants to take paid work as session leaders, giving the charity a team of people who know their communities well.

"Without BBC Children in Need, we wouldn't be able to do this and have this model," she added.

"It's a very happy, fun, good place," said 9-year-old Lily.

Heather Sheldon thanked Alice Charity volunteers who support them to run baby and toddler sessions

For children too young to attend SPLAT sessions, Alice Charity runs baby and toddler sessions across ten sites in Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle-under-Lyme.

"They're fantastic," said mum-of-two, Chantelle, at a session held at Norton Community Church.

"I've got twin girls and they both love it."

She praised the sessions for allowing kids and parents to socialise as well as providing varied and stimulating activities.

Alice chief executive, Heather Sheldon, explained that the organisation also supported families with debt and bereavement, but the sessions are primarily organised to get children "school-ready."

"Children in Need is vital for us an organisation," she said, "It's about getting to the heart [of the community] and providing that opportunity because they are our future."

Maggie Falconer and Goldie awaiting their next well-being session

Another Potteries charity to benefit from Children in Need donations is Staffordshire & Cheshire Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (SCEAP)

The woman brave enough to work with both animals and children is equine therapist Maggie Falconer.

Her mission is to provide therapy and learning, in partnership with horses, to address mental health issues.

"The sessions help children just to forget about what's going on in the world, they can switch off for a little while and they become children again," she told the BBC.

Children in care and other vulnerable young people come to Great Eaves Farm in Bucknall to take part in wellness activities alongside the horses, goats, dogs and guinea pigs, just an eight-minute drive away from the city centre.

"Children in Need has been amazing," she said, adding she could now offer more free sessions to children between eight and 13 years old, who are "struggling for a whole variety of reasons."

"They are able to actually move forward and deal with things in a different way."

Maggie Falconer puts on wellbeing activities for children in a stable