Minstead Trust expands to Poole and Bournemouth

12 June 2023

Minstead Trust is taking on the responsibility of supporting nearly 40 people with learning disabilities and mental health issues in nine properties in Poole.

The fresh start was marked by a sunny picnic in Poole Park attended by staff, volunteers and people supported by the Trust.

This takes the number of people supported by the Trust to over 300, with sites stretching from Portsmouth through to this new location in Poole. People are supported to live in their own homes, attend day opportunities sessions, or gain work skills and experience to build towards paid employment.

Alongside Poole supported living, the Trust has also taken on the Carers Representation service for the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area. It is focused on enabling family carers of people with learning disabilities to give feedback to local commissioners and health providers, about the services available for people with a learning disability, and how improvements can be made.

The final strand of Minstead Trust’s Poole expansion is its supported apprenticeship programme, aiming to work with local organisations to help more people into work. This will be the first step of a wider roll out of employability programmes into the BCP and Dorset area. This is a core part of the Trust’s purpose, as it seeks to tackle the chronically low levels of employment among people with learning disabilities.

Adam Dodd, Minstead Trust Chief Executive, said: ‘We are delighted to be expanding our services further down the south coast to Poole. We believe in what we do and we want to do it for more people, so this is a natural move for us.

‘We are grateful to BCP Council for the opportunity to fulfil this service and bring our compassionate and personalised care to more people with learning disabilities.

‘For us, this is just the start. We want to offer a more holistic service for people with learning disabilities, not just supporting them at home but also helping them find work, follow their passions and build their independence. We want to pioneer this approach in Poole and learn lessons that can be implemented across the adult social care sector – which is in desperate need of new ideas and reform.’

Lily, who is supported by Minstead Trust in Poole, said: ‘It has been lovely to get together and celebrate in the park.

‘I love living in my house, we get lots of support and have lovely carers coming in. I go out and go shopping with my one-to-one support – Minstead Trust people seem really nice.’

The tenancy support contract is issued by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council and will initially last two years.

As well as its care and support services, the Trust also runs several social businesses. These include Furzey Gardens in Minstead, Hanger Farm Arts Centre in Totton and the Real Jam & Chutney Company.

If you, or anyone you know, cares for someone with a learning disability and would like support then visit www.minsteadtrust.org.uk/carers