Charity, New Forest | Posted on July 25th, 2025 | return to news

New Forest animal therapy charity needs a final push

The Haven at Minstead will support people with learning disabilities to care for donkeys, sheep, and pigs.

A charity in the New Forest has nearly reached its goal to provide a new animal therapy space – but it needs a little more financial help.

If funded, The Haven will support dozens of people with learning disabilities at Minstead Trust’s headquarters in Minstead.

The Trust is close to reaching its target thanks to the generosity of local supporters but now needs one last surge of donations to make this vision a reality.

The Haven will be more than just a building. It will be a safe, welcoming and empowering space where people will have the chance to heal after trauma, take on responsibility, learn new skills and feel proud of what they can achieve.

People with learning disabilities will care for donkeys, sheep, pigs and many other animals under the guidance of a trained animal therapist. Through this they will learn to deal with their trauma as well as experiencing the joy of caring for others – after a lifetime of always being the ones being cared for.

This is crucial as people with learning disabilities are twice as likely to suffer from anxiety and depression as the general public and 40% experience mental health problems

Adam Dodd, chief executive of Minstead Trust, said: “This is our final push. The Haven will greatly enhance lives – we’ve seen first-hand the difference that the right environment can make when vulnerable people are dealing with life’s challenges. With your support, we can turn our vision into a vibrant, inclusive space where people with learning disabilities are supported to thrive.”

The appeal will help to fund hundreds of extra animal care sessions each year; new shelters and essential equipment like feed bins, hutches, sheep hurdles, and animal handling tools; the purchase and care of new animals, including pigs, sheep and small mammals; new Animal Assisted Wellbeing Workshops and the creation of accessible indoor spaces for animal care during bad weather

Minstead Trust currently supports over 600 people with learning disabilities all along the south coast.

The Haven fundraiser is aiming to raise £15,000 to complete the project and unlock these opportunities, the Trust is currently two thirds of the way to the target.

To donate log onto www.minsteadtrust.org.uk/thehaven