Minstead Trust

The Real Jam & Chutney Company is proud to be part of Minstead Trust, a charity that has been transforming lives since 1986. Minstead Trust is driving change and supporting people with learning disabilities to build independence, confidence and purpose.

In 2022, Real Jam joined the Trust’s mission as a social enterprise, using the skills built in creating our delicious ranges to offer meaningful work experience to individuals. Together, we’re proving that every jar of jam or chutney can do more than delight your taste buds—it can also help change lives.

 

Empowering through work experience

At the Real Jam & Chutney Company, we don’t just make preserves; we create opportunities. Our kitchen in the heart of the New Forest supports people with learning disabilities to learn valuable skills, from team work, chopping and weighing to labelling.

This hands-on experience helps individuals develop confidence and independence, while also creating delicious products you can trust. It’s not just about the jam—it’s about giving people the tools to thrive.

The impact of your support

Every jar of jam, chutney, or marmalade you buy makes a difference. Your purchases directly support Minstead Trust’s work with people with learning disabilities, from hands-on training in our kitchen to broader programmes across the south coast.

By choosing our products, you’re empowering individuals to learn, grow, and achieve greater independence. It’s more than just a purchase—it’s a step towards a more inclusive community.

Supporting futures with empowering employment

Minstead Trust’s Empowering Employment programme is dedicated to finding work that works for everyone. This means making the workplace more inclusive, challenging societal bias and championing for a society that has people with learning disabilities as equal parts of the workforce. In the Real Jam kitchen, we begin this process by offering real-world experience, which is often the first step towards lasting employment.

Looking ahead, we hope to expand opportunities by offering apprenticeships and even more training, ensuring that everyone has the chance to build a brighter future.

A shared vision: Breaking Barriers, Enriching Lives

Minstead Trust’s mission is simple but powerful: breaking barriers and enriching lives. At the Real Jam & Chutney Company, we share this vision, using traditional crafts and local ingredients to create something truly meaningful.

Together, we’re showing how a small kitchen in the New Forest can make a big impact—one jar at a time.

Empowering Employment

Find out more about Empowering Employment.

Minstead Trust

Find out more about Minstead Trust and the work they do.

Explore Minstead Trust's Social Enterprises

The Real Jam and Chutney Co is one of five social enterprises.