Children's charity finds new home at eleventh hour

Change of Scene gives animal-assisted learning to children with mental health issues and special educational needs

A charity which supports children and young people has been saved.

Change of Scene provides animal-assisted learning for children with special educational needs and mental health challenges.

It was facing closure because it had to leave its home near Farnham, Surrey, where it had been operating for 17 years.

Another charity, Wishanger Wellness, has now offered it a new home in Frensham.

Pam Robinson from Change of Scene told BBC Radio Sussex: "I can't believe our luck.

"It was thanks to the BBC, it was a response to you putting the article on your website that got us in touch with Wishanger Wellness. We'd been looking for four years and hadn't got anywhere.

"They've offered us a 25-year lease to have exclusive use of 10 acres.

"It's an amazing site, it's beautiful, half of it's pasture, it'll just be a perfect location for our children and young people."

Pam Robinson says the new site is "the perfect location"

Wishanger Wellness was set up in 2024 to use nature to improve mental health and wellbeing, and has a 60-acre site in Frensham.

One of its trustees, David Wenman, said: "We welcome Change of Scene to their new home, and we hope the children enjoy this special place as much as we do."

Both charities will be holding an information event on 13 September between 10:00 and 12:00 BST.