I also trained / passed on the R44, at Redhill
Whilst waiting for my license, I flew the London Heli-lanes a few times with an instructor on-board and 2 family pax in the back. Good experience (both the lanes and the weight).
When the license arrived, a few local trips with 1 - 3 pax (not landing away).
Each time I wanted to do someting "different" - first hotel landing, first trip to Hull, first Heathrow crossing, etc - I paid for an instructor to be there with me. I certainly don't regret that cost - I learned a lot each time. Think of it as the equivalent of "pass plus" (UK thing) in a car.
Most enjoyable moment of my first year - landing an EC120 solo in the back yard of a major Kent Police station (by invitation, PPR, etc).
Congratulations, enjoy.