Based on our 3-acre smallholding overlooking the historic town of Aberystwyth, Mentro Lluest provides students, volunteers and staff with a beautiful and relaxed rural environment within which to work and learn.
However Mentro Lluest is only a recent development of the site. Plas Lluest, the house next to the nursery, was the first home for the charity, opening in 1981. As part of the development of the house and grounds, the clients and staff cleared the site where the nursery now stands, working towards establishing an area where they could grow their own food.
In 1996 Plas Lluest Plant Nursery evolved teaching basic level skills, with plants grown by the residents being sold to the public and bringing in much needed additional funds. The nursery became a separate community business with its own Board of Directors. Community presence was shown by contracts with Llanbadarn Community Council, to clear footpaths and provide hanging baskets, and also with Aberystwyth Town Council to maintain landscaping around car parks.
Charitable status, separate from the main house, was gained in 1998. During the year 2000 the project changed its name and became Mentro Lluest.
In recent years the Charity has received funding from the European Social Fund, the Wales Council for Voluntary Action, Communities First and Future Communities. This has enabled us to establish a Volunteering Scheme, provide training in organic gardening, increase the number of regular beneficiaries and improve the facilities available to our service users.
In September 2004 Mentro Lluest successfully obtained a further three year’s Objective One Funding from the European Social Fund. This funding offers the opportunity to ensure the project gains its position of strength within the community and grows on its success to become a leading light in the training of basic skills in horticulture to people with special needs, as well as developing projects, which include all sections of the community.
