Learning disability fundraiser seeks to transform lives

24 November 2023

A south coast charity is seeking to raise thousands of pounds to help people with learning disabilities to deal with trauma and live their life, their way.

People with learning disabilities want to follow their passions and live their life to the maximum. But often they don’t have the right support to help them to live independently.

So from 28 November Minstead Trust is aiming to raise £45,000 to help people get the support they need to live fulfilled and more independent lives.

For one week as part of the Big Give Christmas Challenge, supporters will see any donation to the My Life, My Way campaign doubled thanks to generous match funders. Donations will help to:

• Run Listening Ear groups to help people deal with emotional issues and thrive
• Provide life coaching to help people realise their aspirations and how to achieve them
• Guide people on how to develop meaningful and positive relationships that enrich their lives
• Start changing society into a place that embraces and values people with learning disabilities.

Donors to the one-week fundraiser will be helping people like Silas, who lost his Mum this year; ‘Losing Mum was hard, but Minstead have helped me a lot. I go on walks with support worker Bea and talk things through.

‘I’d like to meet someone one day, for a relationship. I want to do more weaving do, I enjoy that I do.’

The projects that will be funded by the Big Give fundraiser will also help people like Dan, who works in Minstead Trust’s Lily&Lime cafés in Portsmouth.

Dan said: ‘My life wasn’t great. I came from an environment where they constantly put you down. But since I’ve come here (to Lily&Lime) the praise has been a lot better for me. I’ve learned a lot more new skills and built my confidence and independence.

‘I can’t wait to see what the future holds.’

Find out more and donate to Minstead Trust in the Big Give Christmas challenge between 28 November and 5 December at www.minsteadtrust.org.uk/biggive