The Project provides a full range of horticultural experience and training. Through work students learn new skills in all aspects of horticulture including:-

• Fruit and vegetable growing in the walled garden, large greenhouses, and well-equipped classrooms in Minstead Lodge
• Nursery stock production, greenhouse work and sales in the nursery and shop at Furzey Gardens
• Landscaping and garden maintenance in the extensive grounds of Minstead Lodge and with Sheltered Work Teams at Furzey Gardens

Students whose potential include open or sheltered employment are given practical work training and related knowledge. There are several dedicated indoor work areas including two classrooms equipped with a good selection of appropriate modern teaching aids. Elements of the ICAN award in horticultural skills are used to assess levels of achievement and progress.

Gardening is well recognised as an excellent therapeutic or occupational/leisure activity. For some students, working towards qualifications and/or employment is not the prime objective. These students find a supportive and supervised environment at Minstead that encourages them to develop skills and meet new challenges.

The workshop is a safe and fulfilling work environment in which students learn and develop a wide range of woodworking skills. They are trained to use hand and power tools and some items of machinery; the emphasis is always on safe working practices. The workshop staff guide students through the workshop programmes to achieve elements of the ICAN award scheme and modules of the OCR level 3 Certificate in Manufacturing.

The Project offers a wide variety of experiences in catering. Students who work in the Catering Section often have a great sense of achievement in seeing visitors, other students and staff enjoying the food that they have prepared.

Work in the section is geared towards giving students a realistic experience of working in a busy professional catering team. If a student wishes to take this further he/she can access appropriate training courses in catering and hospitality at a local sector college.

As well as catering skills students learn how to work in a team, to deal with time constraints and about the pressures of catering for groups of people in a small, friendly yet professional environment. Elements of  the ICAN awards scheme are used to assess levels of achievement and progress.

The Pottery offers small groups of students the opportunity to explore their creativity and practical skills through the use of clay. Sessions are tailored to the particular interests and skills of each person and visits are made to local pottery studios and elsewhere for inspiration. Other regular activities enable the students to be involved in sculpture, painting, drawing and photography.

Participation in drama groups is another very popular activity which enables the students to put on frequent performances in front of a variety of audiences.

Studies are based on individual need and are assessed by the tutors and other members of staff. Sessions are usually short to maximise concentration and are de be encouraging and motivational. Teaching is usually on a one-to-one basis and is carefully planned to be interesting and topical.

Regular reviews enable each student's tuition to be tailored to meet his/her changing needs and in most cases is linked to other work in the Project such as landscape or material measurement, cooking, shopping or plant pricing. Students have the opportunity to broaden their IT knowledge.  A dedicated IT room has Internet access and six computers with associated peripherals including some equipment for handicapped users. A specialist IT tutor develops individual training programmes and provides students with IT familiarity often using specialised software.