Bella, a six-year-old Border Collie cross, may be small in size but her impact on thousands of young lives is immense. Based at Jamie’s Farm near Bath, Bella has quietly become a vital source of comfort and support for over 3,000 teenagers since 2019. Her exceptional role has now earned her a well-deserved place as a finalist in the BBC’s Make a Difference Awards for Bristol, celebrating those who make a meaningful difference in their communities.
Standing just 55 cm tall, Bella works alongside the national education and farming charity Jamie’s Farm, which was founded in 2009 by Tish and Jamie Feilden. The charity operates two farms in the Box Valley—Hill House and the recently opened Lower Shockerwick Farm—offering five-day residential programs for young people facing challenges with behaviour, school attendance, or mental health.
Bella’s calming presence supports the charity’s therapeutic mission, often acting as a bridge for young visitors to open up emotionally. During ‘walk-and-talk’ sessions led by Julie Tonks, Jamie’s Farm’s therapeutic lead and Bella’s owner, Bella’s gentle companionship encourages teenagers to share their feelings in a safe and supportive environment.
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Julie Tonks shares, “We are thrilled that Bella’s remarkable contribution to boosting young people’s confidence and self-esteem has been recognized by the BBC Make a Difference Awards. She possesses an extraordinary ability to sense a young person’s emotional state and offers comfort precisely when it’s needed—whether by resting her paw on their leg or resting her head gently on their lap. There’s not a single young person who leaves without feeling connected to her. Regardless of the award outcome, Bella is truly our top dog, and we are incredibly proud.”
Recently, Bella moved from Jamie’s Farm Hill House to the charity’s newly inaugurated Lower Shockerwick Farm, the seventh site of the organization, opened in July by its patron, Her Majesty The Queen. This new facility is expected to serve up to 500 young people and their teachers annually.
Many young people like Amani, a London teenager who visited in 2022, credit Bella with making a profound difference. Amani recalls, “The moment Bella approached me, I started to come out of my shell.” The pair formed an inseparable bond throughout her stay, with Bella helping her discover a newfound confidence she had never experienced before.
The winners of the BBC Make a Difference Awards will be announced at the Harbour Hotel in Bristol on Friday, September 26, celebrating individuals and pets like Bella who truly make a difference in their communities.