A charity helping adults and young people with mental health conditions has been awarded a grant of £9,885 from the Big Lottery Awards For All to purchase a ‘garden room’ which can be used in all weathers.

Community Housing and Therapy (CHT) at Highams Lodge in Highams Park, supports 20 people with complex mental health needs at its accommodation.

This additional space will enable residents to enjoy the garden and provide a valuable place for therapeutic activities.

Work to construct the room will begin in March and will see the underused and underdeveloped garden transformed into a venue providing multi-sensory experiences for people residing at the lodge, which staff hope will help improve their lives.