Penny Mordaunt MP, Leader of the House of Commons, expressed support for local charity Minstead Trust at its social enterprise Lily&Lime café in Portsmouth Central Library. She was the guest of honour at the trust’s Christmas fayre hosted by the library on Saturday 17 December.

The trust works along the south coast to provide structured work skills training, work experience at its six social enterprises and support to move into paid employment. It aims to tackle the shockingly low rate of paid employment among people with learning disabilities in the UK, currently 5.1% (NHS Digital 2021).

Lily&Lime helps people with learning disabilities to learn work skills, gain employment experience and find purpose in their life by having a job.

Penny Mordaunt MP, said: “I’ve visited Lily&Lime on many occasions and I think it’s brilliant. Great coffee and delicious cakes but it is also providing an opportunity for people who historically haven’t had opportunities. With opportunity comes growth, and being able to live independently, live a fulfilled live and give back to their community. It’s a virtuous circle and if I need a brew I come down here to support the café.

“Getting more people with a disability into work is a priority of ours. Nearly a quarter of the four million people we have got back into work have been people with a disability and it is really important that we give businesses the confidence in what they might see as taking a risk in employing a disabled person.

“Having projects like this demonstrates the loyalty of those staff and the skills they bring, but also what else they bring – they create a unique workforce that brings something to an organisation that you can’t quite put your finger on. I really want to support organisations like Lily&Lime.”

Lily&Lime is a key part of Minstead Trust’s employability work. 

Events like the Christmas fayre are important in raising awareness of the charity’s work. The event featured games, festive food and drink and stalls from local organisations including Portmouth Down Syndrome Association and Community Kettle. People with learning disabilities sold their skilful creations, including felt crafts, woodwork and artwork.

Lily&Lime runs the café at Portsmouth Central Library and a takeaway outlet at Lalys Pharmacy on Kingston Road. The social enterprise is part of Minstead Trust, a charity that supports more than 270 people along the south coast to live in their own homes, learn new skills and find employment.

Find out more at www.minsteadtrust.org.uk/lilyandlime