05 November 2026
Portsmouth partnerships help Warren Avenue community garden flourish
A new community garden in Southsea is benefiting neuro disabled people thanks to support from local businesses, volunteers and community partners.
The garden at Minstead Trust’s Warren Avenue Day Opportunities has been transformed through a partnership between local hospitality group The Coastal Kitchen Family, Portsmouth-based construction and maintenance business Mountjoy, and the people supported by the charity.
The project received a boost recently when Portsmouth South MP Stephen Morgan visited the site to see how the garden is developing and meet the people involved.
During the visit, staff and people supported by Minstead Trust showcased produce grown in the garden, which was used to create canapés prepared with support from The Coastal Kitchen Family.
The growing space gives people attending Warren Avenue opportunities to learn practical gardening and maintenance skills, spend time outdoors and connect with others. New raised beds built by Mountjoy have enabled a wider range of fruit, vegetables and herbs to be grown throughout the year.
The people supported by Minstead Trust have also played a leading role in developing the garden. Members of the Warren Avenue maintenance team have built additional planters using recycled wooden pallets, which are now being used to grow organic garlic and lettuce.
Jay, who is part of the maintenance and gardening teams, said: ‘It gives me motivation. It keeps me fit and I’m healthier now – I’ve lost 16 stone! I really enjoy it and like coming here.’
As part of the visit, Stephen Morgan MP joined volunteers from The Coastal Kitchen Family and people supported by Minstead Trust to plant an apple tree. Additional trees are planned as part of a second phase of development, helping to expand the growing area and create an even more welcoming green space for everyone who attends the service.
The Coastal Kitchen Family has already raised £11,242 through its Charity of the Year partnership with Minstead Trust, helping to fund the gardens development.
The relationship extends beyond fundraising. Members of The Coastal Kitchen Family volunteer in the garden each week, working alongside the people supported by Minstead Trust to grow fresh produce. Some of the fruit, vegetables and herbs grown on site are then used in dishes served at the group’s local restaurants, creating a meaningful connection between the garden and the wider community.
Images show Jay, who is part of the maintenance and gardening teams and Stephen Morgan MP planting an apple tree
Lisa Lee, East Hampshire Operations Director at Minstead Trust, said: ‘Working alongside Coastal Kitchens has transformed our garden into a thriving space full of unusual fruits, vegetables and herbs that are now finding their way into local restaurant kitchens. The partnership gives the people we support meaningful opportunities to learn new skills, contribute to something tangible and take pride in seeing produce they’ve helped grow being enjoyed by others. It has been a truly collaborative relationship that benefits everyone involved and is enjoyed by both our staff and the people we support.’
There are now plans to expand the garden further through a second phase of development. The next stage will create opportunities for learners from Minstead Trust’s Empowering Employment programme to become involved in growing and maintaining the space, helping them develop practical workplace skills, build confidence and gain experience that can support future employment opportunities.
Jenny Rosier, Garden Session Lead at Minstead Trust, said: ‘This is an amazing opportunity that is bringing the people we support together with Coastal Kitchens – we are looking forward to a fruitful relationship.’