A disabled teenager who has been stuck indoors for six years could get access to a garden where she can finally spend time outside.

Mollie Warren, 19, has been confined inside since her family moved into their bungalow in Fitzgerald Close, Staplehurst.

The teenager was diagnosed with Global Developmental Delay at a young age, an umbrella term which covers a multitude of conditions including epilepsy, scoliosis, arthritis, and brittle bones, which means she is fully dependent on a wheelchair.

Her mum Leigh works day shifts at Abbotsleigh Care Centre while Leigh's husband, Jibin, does night shifts as a senior healthcare assistant, so someone is always able to care for her.

Leigh even considered quitting her job at one stage due to Mollie's complex needs - before a new role was created for her at the George Street home.

Mollie loves to be outside and the sounds, colours, smells and textures of a garden have such a positive effect on her well-being. Her family have managed to flatten and clear the area themselves, so the space is now a blank canvas in need of transformation.

Now, the team at Abbotsleigh are making an appeal in the hope local builders, landscapers or suppliers could lend a hand to create a safe space for Mollie to enjoy in a DIY-SOS style project.

Leigh, who joined the care home 15 years ago, dreams of providing Mollie with a sensory garden with water features, flowers, and lights, enabling her to enjoy the best quality of life possible.

Registered manager at Abbotsleigh, Alina Abagiu, said: “I see how hard it is for Leigh and her husband to juggle work in addition to caring for Mollie and her very complex needs.

“Leigh works day shifts while her husband works nights to make sure one of them is always at home to care for Mollie 24/7. Leigh brims with enthusiasm and positivity and brings a smile to work every day.

“She is much loved by all our residents and staff, and we know how life-changing it would be for them to have a garden and space to spend much needed quality family time with Mollie outside of the house.

“Leigh has been with us since 2007, where she has worked as both a senior carer and deputy manager.

“As Mollie’s care needs became far more complex, and her seizures increasingly more prolonged and serious, Leigh felt so guilty when she couldn’t fulfil her shifts at work as naturally Mollie’s needs always come first.

“Leigh, sadly, felt she had no alternative other than to resign. However as such a valuable member of the team, we didn’t want to let her go, so were delighted to be able to create a new role for Leigh as an in-house trainer for staff development.

“She has a very natural ability to teach, and this new role allows for flexibility around Mollie’s needs and the unexpected incidents whereby she needs hospitalisation or emergency care.”

Anyone interested in helping can contact Victoria Highfield at victoria.highfield@nellsar.com or call 07393 012321.

Abbotsleigh Care Centre, part of the Nellsar Care Group, is a nursing and dementia care home.