Record fundraising total to help people with learning disabilities use their voice

Minstead Trust has raised over £60,000 to improve accessibility, training opportunities and wellbeing for people with learning disabilities.

The charity launched the ‘Me, not my disability’ campaign in October, led by people with learning disabilities wanting to show there was more to them than just their disability. They took the opportunity to display their passions and show that, with the right support, they could be more appreciated and involved in society.

The Trust’s supporters had just one week from 29 November to hit the challenging £55,000 target as part of the annual Big Give Christmas Challenge. More than 240 supporters donated to surpass the target on the last morning. This was a record total for Minstead Trust, beating the amount raised last year of £45,000.

During the campaign Josh, who is supported by the Trust, was featured saying: ‘I am an artist, I am a designer, I am normal’ while showing the public his love and skill for pyrography artwork via the charity’s social media channels and website. Responses included ‘you have a great skill’ and ‘That’s a beautiful skill…Not sure being that brilliant is normal!’

Other people supported by the Trust include Louisa, who is the lead baker at Lily&Lime, a café run for and by people with learning disabilities in Portsmouth. She said: ‘I am a good baker, I am polite, I am fun. I think baking is fun and it’s my dream to be known for my baking. I love being myself and I wouldn’t want to be anyone else.’

Money raised will support people like Louisa and Josh to achieve their dreams by raising their profiles as valued members of their communities. One way the charity aims to do this is through increasing their digital presence. Another crucial use of donations will be exploring what people really want from life, with a professional guidance coach, and finding ways that Minstead Trust can support them to achieve their goals. This will be supported by sessions to check in with people’s mental wellbeing.

Dawn Wood, Director of Development at Minstead Trust, said: ‘Fundraisers like the Big Give are so important to provide the resources needed to really support people to live the life they choose. Given the economic situation, we weren’t sure whether the public would be able to support as much this year. To see our supporters continue to donate is incredibly humbling and will make such a difference to the lives of people with a learning disability. We are so grateful to everyone who has given this year.’

Thank you so much to everyone who donated to the campaign this year, you are changing lives.