VOLUNTEERS from the Malvern branch of Marks and Spencer have been making a difference this week by helping out at a locally-based charity.

Staff from the shop at Roman Way have been busy at ARCOS, in Avenue Road, helping to create Kaleidoscope, a safe and stimulating outdoors environment for children requiring extra care but who are not medically sick. Kaleidoscope is a joint venture for ARCOS and the Smile project.

Andrew Ling, manager of M and S Malvern, said: “We’re really excited to be coming together to support the ARCOS centre. Volunteering can make a profound difference to the communities in which we live, work and play. We believe that lots of the small actions from lots of people can collectively have a huge impact.”

Diana Maiden, founder of Kaleidoscope, said: “It is so exciting to see the dreams for the garden coming through. Some of the children have very visible disabilities, others struggle with difficulties that are not immediately evident but each and every one of them will be able to benefit from the wonderful colours, scents, textures, movement and the sounds of tall grasses in the breeze.

"We are especially grateful to Manisha Moores for her energy and sensitivity in planning and coordinating the work."