A Northern Ireland charity has planted 30 native trees at Mount Stewart to mark its 30th year of supporting people with learning disabilities, acquired brain injury and autism.

Positive Futures, which operates across the island of Ireland, held the anniversary event in partnership with the National Trust. Health Minister Mike Nesbitt was present for the tree planting.

The saplings were donated by the National Trust and put into the ground by staff, volunteers and the people the charity supports. National Trust personnel provided guidance on planting techniques.

The event forms part of the National Trust’s ‘Roots to Recovery’ project, a DAERA-funded initiative that aims to restore habitats and increase biodiversity. Positive Futures staff and service users will take part in further work under the project, including collecting tree seeds, supporting propagation in a new nursery and planting trees on other National Trust properties.

Mr Nesbitt said the charity had made a tremendous impact on many lives over three decades and that the tree planting highlighted the importance of its work in helping people live as independently as possible.

Co-founder Dr Agnes Lunny described the day as uplifting for everyone who attended. She said staff from the charity’s head office and local services had a welcome break from their usual routines, and that several people promised to return for more planting sessions.

Stevie McMullan, project manager at the National Trust, said the event was met with great enthusiasm and demonstrated how nature can bring people together, improve wellbeing and create a lasting environmental legacy.