Since 1986, we have been supporting people with learning disabilities to live more independent, fulfilled lives.
Our work began as a small project in the corner of Furzey Gardens, Minstead in the New Forest, with one member of staff and five young adults with learning disabilities.
With a spade and a patch of ground and using horticulture training, those adults developed skills, confidence and general well-being.
Watch Minstead Trust: The Founding Story below to find out more about our history and ethos.
From those small seeds grew the Minstead Trust which you see today.
Minstead Trust has grown into a large charity that supports more than 320 people along the south coast of England from Poole to Portsmouth. We also strive to break down the barriers that face people with learning disabilities in society, helping even more people to live enriching lives that fulfil their potential.
We strive to go beyond the basic needs of the people we support – offering additional opportunities that help them to not just survive but to thrive in their lives.
We are working towards offering more holistic support for people, which helps them in all aspects of their lives. Our pioneering programmes include wellbeing support, life coaching and our bridging programme for those leaving full time education.
Left: supported trainee working in Furzey Gardens nursery. Right: Tim Selwood with Chris Beardshaw
We run five social enterprises which offer key training opportunities in conjunction with Empowering Employment.
Furzey Gardens enables us to provide work-experience through maintenance of the gardens, raising plants in the nursery and serving in the tea rooms.
Minstead Lodge provides hospitality training in our conference, wedding and events venue.
Hanger Farm in Totton is an entertainment and events venue offering training places in its Arts Café and customer service roles.
Lily & Lime cafés and catering are based in Portsmouth, with cafés in Portsmouth Central Library and in the Civic Offices.
Real Jam & Chutney Company supplies produce made by people with learning disabilities to dozens of local outlets.
Left: cycling in Portsmouth. Right: community theatre at Hanger Farm
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