Minstead Trust x Play It Green: Introduction
In our latest news, Play It Green is proud to welcome Minstead Trust as our newest giving partner. All our members can now re-give 10% of their share of our revenue to support this inspiring organisation. As a giving partner, Minstead Trust will receive our sustainability education and Net Zero support.
Minstead Trust provides vital support to people with learning disabilities, helping them live more independent and fulfilled lives. Through supported living, social enterprises, and inclusive community spaces, they create opportunities for people to thrive.
Minstead Trust was nominated by ONLE Networking, which has expanded its social impact by adding nature repair to its subscriptions. This collaboration provides an extra boost to Minstead Trust’s important work, improving the lives of people with learning disabilities and empowering them to gain independence.
We spoke to the team behind Minstead Trust to find out more about their amazing organisation and what the future may hold.
Please, tell us a little about Minstead Trust
Here at Minstead Trust we support people with learning disabilities and, together, we are the custodians of beautiful places of historical, environmental and social worth. In addition to providing social care, supported living and respite services we promote inclusive communities at our various social enterprises.
These enterprises include Furzey Gardens, the Real Jam & Chutney Company, and Minstead Lodge Wedding and Events venue, all based in the New Forest, as well as Hanger Farm entertainment venue in Totton and Lily & Lime café in Portsmouth.
Why is sustainability important to Minstead Trust?
Minstead Trust started in the now thriving nursery at Furzey Gardens in the New Forest with one support worker and a small team of people with learning disabilities. Our founder, Tim Sellwood, purchased the land at auction and saved it from impending bulldozers and together this team of people replanted the gardens and made an inclusive community, supporting people with disabilities for generations.
Environmental sustainability is key to our operating model and has been there from the very beginning because, whether we are promoting inclusivity or operating a peat-free nursery, ultimately we want a better world for everyone.
Why did Minstead Trust decide to collaborate with Play It Green?
ONLE nominated us as their chosen charity and after meeting Richard and finding out all about Play it Green’s 3 step solution to Climate Change and our shared passion for planting trees it seemed very natural to collaborate.
Although ONLE is a global business and Minstead Trust operates across Dorest and Hampshire, both were founded with the natural beauty of the New Forest on our doorsteps. When Play it Green came to us with a clear vision and method to protect our environment and others like it, it was a no brainer.
What does the future hold for Minstead Trust?
We are aiming to break down barriers that people with learning disabilities face across the UK. We are currently focusing on some of the following areas:
- Helping people to understand the lives and views of people with learning disabilities, both in our communications and providing opportunities for greater interaction at our venues with our wider communities.
- Encouraging all workplaces to adopt inclusive hiring and recruitment practices, allowing them to experience the benefits that people with learning disabilities bring to businesses, as well as the social benefits for each new recruit.
- Developing new ways of working more closely with family carers.
- Supporting the professionalisation of the care sector workforce.
- Identifying ways to help people in their first steps into adult life after education.
Quotes
Quote from Minstead Trust
“I am very much looking forward to working with Play it Green, the climate emergency is something we all think about, that worries us and the people we support. Social change and promoting inclusivity are very much at the forefront of what we d,o but we believe in doing that sustainably.”
Petra Palser, Supporter Relations, Minstead Trust
Quote from Play It Green
“From our very first chat, I knew the team at Minstead Trust shared our belief that people and planet go hand in hand. Their work creating inclusive communities is deeply inspiring, and it’s a privilege to support them through our giving. This partnership reminds us that social and environmental impact are part of the same solution.”
Richard Dickson, Co-Founder, Play It Green
Support Minstead Trust and Other Charities…Join Play It Green
By joining Play It Green, you can integrate sustainable action, education, tree planting, mangrove restoration, seaforestation and social impact into your life and business operations. Whether it’s adding nature repair to your sales process, education on sustainability, or strengthening your environmental credentials, the tools and support are there to make it simple.
