Chestnut Nursery, the charitable garden centre in Poole, Dorset, is celebrating a double win at the prestigious Poole Local Business Awards 2026.
The garden centre, 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, on 7 May, highlighted business excellence across the coastal region. The awards celebrate businesses, organisations and charities that that make a significant contribution to the local economy, while throwing the spotlight on entrepreneurial innovation and championing community spirit.
Announcing Chestnut as a winner of the Community Service Award, 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, and 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% 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% 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, are currently enjoying one of their 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.
The nursery, 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. Visit www.chestnutnursery.org.uk to find out more or call the nursery on 01202 685999.
