A one acre plot by the River Mole in Horley has been turned into a much-needed wellbeing space for children and young adults with additional needs, and carers.

It’s the brainchild of local resident Carol Heron, who owns the land. Her vision is that the space will be used for a wide range of outdoor projects – from art and photography to allotments, animal petting and a forest school, where children develop skills that are hard to teach in the classroom such as assessing, appreciating and taking risks.

She explains: “I wanted to support local children and young adults with additional needs, and to put this space to good use. It’s a great space to teach them about sustainability, let them pursue art projects and explore their creative sides, and also for them to develop practical skills such as vegetable growing.

“We’ll be linking up with local schools and offering the space to those who need it. I’m really excited to see it being used and enjoyed by local people.”