We support hundreds of people across two day opportunities, a dozen supported living houses and one residential home.

But beyond the statistics are individual stories of challenges overcome, goals reached and friendships formed. This section tells some of the stories of the people we support and how Minstead Trust has helped them live more independent lives.

Minstead stories

Minstead Trust

Big Give 2021

Blake: boosting my mental health

Blake's mental health went really downhill during lockdown, missing getting out and about and feeling like his life was without purpose. The opportunity to head back out into his community has made him feel happier and healthier.

Minstead Trust

Big Give 2021

Fundraising

Sean, Liam, Jason and Matt: Finding solace with Furzey and friends

For many people with learning disabilities Furzey Gardens is a place of solace, where they can meet with friends to work hard tending the gardens. But they also want to be able to head out into their communities with confidence - something that many of them now struggle with. As Sean, Liam, Jason and Matt tell us here.

Minstead Trust

Big Give 2021

Fundraising

Janet: learning to love life again

Janet found the lockdowns really stressful. She couldn't get out and she missed the things she loves about getting out about in her community - particularly shopping and going to the football. Now Janet would like even more opportunities to get out and about.

Minstead Trust

Big Give 2021

Fundraising

Robert: finding happiness with friends

Lockdowns were really hard for Robert. He found them very depressing and missed his friends hugely. Now he is finding happiness with those friends in his community again, with the support of Minstead Trust.

Silas, Ed, David and Phil: our community stories

It has been a seismic 18 months for all of us as we learnt to cope with the Covid pandemic. We caught up with Phil, Silas, Ed and David – people we support in the New Forest – to ask them what they have missed during the pandemic and how it has affected them.

Tiger: missing my community group

Tiger is supported by Minstead Trust to live in her own home. Before the Covid-19 pandemic she loved spending time at one of the Trust's community groups, learning new skills and catching up with friends. Here she tells us about her last 18 months and her hopes that her community group can return.

Jay: coping with Covid isolation

Jay attends Minstead Trust's day opportunities centre in Portsmouth. Since the Covid-19 pandemic began, Jay has found it very difficult being unable to attend his job and missed many of his community activities like coffee with his Dad. Here he tells us his story.