The roots of Minstead Trust can be found in 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 difficulties.

With a spade and a patch of ground, and using horticulture training, the young adults developed skills, confidence and general wellbeing. From those origins grew the Minstead Trust which can be seen today.

Now based in Minstead Lodge, Portsmouth and in the local community, the trust is a charity that provides a wide range of day opportunities, residential provision and supported living to enable people to live independently in the local community.

It helps people to develop and maintain everyday living skills, which can help them towards employment or ensure they live a healthier and happier life.

This is achieved through supported living properties and community drop-in sessions. The charity works with more than 200 people, putting them at the centre of all that it does to develop their skills and independence while also having fun.

It runs three social enterprises that support the Step Up For Work programme. Furzey Gardens enables it 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 the conference, wedding and events venue Hanger Farm Arts Centre.