Charity, Health & Lifestyle | Posted on May 15th, 2026 | return to news

Double win for Poole nursery

Chestnut Nursery won both the Community Service Award and the Best Place to Work Award at the Poole Local Business Awards.

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Chestnut Nursery is celebrating a double win at the Poole Local Business Awards 2026.

The charitable garden centre, which is situated on the edge of Poole Park and is run by mental health charity Plants and Minds, was crowned joint winner of the Community Service Award – and also jointly picked up the sought-after Best Place to Work Award.

The Poole Local Business Awards took place in conjunction with the Bournemouth Local Business Awards at the Hermitage Hotel in Bournemouth on Thursday 7 May.

Judges praised the work that Plants and Minds carries out to support adults with mental health challenges. They said: “Chestnut helps people to gain work experience, life skills and confidence, as well as providing a popular retail outlet for the whole community.”

Every week, Chestnut Nursery, known as ‘the little garden centre with a big heart’, supports around 45 adults with life-impacting mental health issues, known as team members, via its successful therapeutic horticulture programme.

Andy Verreck, manager at Chestnut Nursery, said: “We are thrilled that the judges recognised the achievements of our team members, volunteer friends and colleagues, who have worked brilliantly as a team to make Chestnut the success it is today.

“Our team members have been through so much, yet for many, Chestnut is their second home – a safe, inclusive and friendly environment that helps to break isolation, enhance wellbeing and equip people with the skills and confidence to move forward in life. We are deeply grateful to the judges for recognising Chestnut’s contribution to the community.”

Team members are referred to Chestnut by professional services including GPs, social prescribers, Access Wellbeing Hubs and Community Mental Health Teams. The nursery is a welcoming, compassionate and non-pressurised ‘safe space’ – a thriving community asset that empowers adults to make friends, develop skills and achieve their ambitions.

With research showing that 25 per cent of the UK population experiences a mental health problem in any one year, judges recognised that the number of Chestnut’s team members who have progressed into paid work has increased by an incredible 300 per cent over the last six years, with many successfully moving into professions including teaching, social work, logistics, creative arts, retail and factory roles.

Chestnut was also announced as the joint Poole winner of the coveted Best Place to Work Award, with judges saying: “Chestnut was nominated by many involved as a fun but professional workplace where people make friends, learn skills and enjoy life.”

Chestnut, along with its sister project, Cherry Tree Nursery in Bournemouth, is currently enjoying one of its busiest spring seasons ever.

At Chestnut alone, the horticultural therapy programme is currently in the height of production, with team members growing almost 40,000 bedding plants and 3,500 perennials – as well as shrubs, climbers and exotic plants – for sale at the nursery.

Team members have spoken out about how much Chestnut means to them. One said: “Attending is my ‘reset’ button, helping me through a week and it stops my suicidal thoughts. I feel like a ‘person’. Having a non-judgemental group to belong to is literally the difference between life and death.”

Another said: “Before, when I was at home every day, I was lonely, bored and my attitude was negative. Attending (Chestnut) has given me a reason to get out of bed in the morning. I now have a pleasant place to go which supports my mental health and gives structure to my week. If you are having a bad day there’s no judgement, just support. I have been given the chance to rebuild my life.”

A third said: “Chestnut means everything to me – purpose in life and friendship. I live for my days at the nursery on Tuesdays and Thursdays.”

Chestnut, which has gained an enviable reputation for first-class horticulture and wow-factor plant displays, can be found at 75 Kingland Road, Poole, BH15 1TN.

For more information, visit Chestnut Nursery or call the nursery on 01202 685999.