Portsmouth Lord Mayor Abdul Kadir, Portsmouth FC Mascot, and Lady Mayoress Tahmina Kadir
Minstead Trust celebrated ten years of supporting neuro disabled people in Portsmouth with a party attended by local dignitaries.
The ’10 Years of Joy’ celebration took place on Saturday (27 June) in Warren Avenue, and was attended by Portsmouth’s Lord Mayor Councillor Abdul Kadir and Lady Mayoress Tahmina Kadir. They were accompanied by Amanda Martin MP, local councillors, community partners, and Minstead Trust colleagues.
During the event, the Lord Mayor gave a speech and presented certificates and flowers to staff who have worked for Minstead Trust throughout its full 10 years in Portsmouth, recognising their dedication to the charity, the people it supports, and the city.
Creative activities were led by Seekers Create, who facilitated a collaborative artwork session involving the people Minstead Trust supports, staff and partners. A raffle, with all prizes donated by Portsmouth businesses and residents, raised £575 for local services.
Matt Parrant, Regional Operations and Registered Manager for Portsmouth, said:
“It was incredibly special to see the people we support at the centre of a celebration that was about them, their achievements, and their place in the community. The event was organised by our staff, for our staff and the people we support, and it simply would not have happened without their dedication.
“Portsmouth has supported Minstead Trust for ten years, and we are proud to be part of this city and to continue growing our support alongside the local community.”
Minstead’s work in Portsmouth began a decade ago when its day opportunities centre in Warren Avenue opened. Its services have since expanded to cover supported living, outreach services, and the opening of a second day opportunities site in the city earlier this year.
The charity also operates two Lily & Lime cafés in Portsmouth: a community café based in Portsmouth Central Library, and a café for Portsmouth City Council staff within the Civic Offices. These cafés provide work experience and apprenticeships for people with neuro disabilities, and are open 09:30-15:00 Monday-Friday.
In total, over 600 people are supported by Minstead Trust across Hampshire and Dorset to live their life, their way.