A Story from the Heart of Nature: New Picture Book in the Making

10 Jul

Over the last two days, something truly special has begun to take shape. At Beyond Words, we believe the most powerful stories come from lived experience – and that’s exactly what we’ve been gathering with the incredible people from Surrey Choices Growth Team and Active Prospects.

On Wednesday, we met at Newlands Corner, with its gentle trails and ancient trees. On Thursday, we explored the Devil’s Punchbowl, where a sensory trail and sweeping views sparked conversation and creativity. In both places, we were joined by illustrator Belinda Evans and people with learning disabilities who are helping us create our next word-free picture book – a story about getting out into nature.

Together, we walked, talked, listened and laughed. We shared stories about the joy of feeling the sun on your face, hearing birdsong, or the satisfaction of reaching an amazing view. But we also spoke honestly about the challenges: finding a route that’s accessible, worrying about getting lost, or needing to rest along the way. These are the realities of outdoor adventures that many people face – and they deserve to be seen and told.

What’s emerging is a story full of warmth, realism and hope. It’s about courage, connection, and the quiet magic of nature. Most importantly, it’s being shaped by the people who know it best – those who have experienced both the barriers and the beauty of getting outdoors.

We can’t wait to see where this journey takes us. And as always, we’re grateful to our collaborators – especially the members of Surrey Choices and Active Prospects – for their voices, ideas and imagination. Together, we're making a book that speaks beyond words.

We are still seeking funding for this book. If you’d like to be a part of this story, please get in touch!