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Bikers get festive!

Hundreds of members of local motorcycle group, Roughley’s Bikers, rallied together in December to deliver Christmas gifts to young people at the Together Trust. The bikers – who were dressed as a motley crew of Santas, elves and Christmas fairies – visited our headquarters in Cheadle to spread a bit of festive joy to our young service users.

The Roughley’s Bikers’ present drop has been an annual occurrence for over ten years, and has become a well-loved tradition for the children and young people at the Together Trust, a care and specialist education provider for those with physical and learning disabilities, including autism spectrum conditions.

Helena Brailsford, Fundraising Manager at the Together Trust, explained; “Receiving an unexpected present like this makes such a difference to the young people we work with, so the present drop has become a real highlight in their festive calendar. Each year, we’re overwhelmed by the support and generosity of the Roughley’s Bikers, and 2011 was no different. They’ve really helped brighten up Christmas for those people who otherwise might not consider it such a happy time.”

Andy Roughley, leader of Roughley’s Bikers, commented; “Santa, elves and fairies aren’t necessarily the first things that spring to mind when you think of bikers, but that hasn’t stopped us getting in the festive spirit for the Together Trust for over a decade. The Together Trust is a really worthwhile cause, which is why we’ve been supporting it for so many years. The present drop is a fantastic day out for everyone involved – we have good fun dressing up, and it’s great to be able to put a smile on the children’s faces.”

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Sleep clinic nominated for award

Chris Hoyle from Inscape House School is through to Laing & Buisson’s 2012 Independent Specialist Care Awards final in the special education category for her work on the development of the school’s sleep clinic. The clinic works with families to develop programmes at home to improve the quality of life.

Two in three children with an autism spectrum condition experience sleep problems and the pupils at Inscape House School are no exception. Lack of sleep has a serious impact on children’s ability to learn and can lead to seizures, depression and self harm. The effect on families is shattering; sleeping patterns out of step with normal family life leave parents sleep deprived with reduced resilience.

The Inscape House School sleep programmes are unique as they are based on autism specific approaches including social stories, the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS). The outcomes for pupils and their families have been very positive. To date, over 25 children and families in the school have benefitted from individual sleep programmes.

The Care Awards Final is on 15th March – good luck Chris!

For further information about the Sleep Clinic click here

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Call for garden designers!

Bridge College and The Manchester College are hosting an exciting competition to give budding landscape designers the chance to see their designs exhibited at the prestigious Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Flower Show at Tatton Park in July 2012. Bridge, a specialist college for young people with learning difficulties, disabilities and complex needs, is relocating in September next year to a new site in Openshaw shared with The Manchester College.

Members of the general public are invited to submit a design for the project, which will be used to celebrate the two colleges partnership in the construction of a new, state-of-the-art, education facility for students with highly specialist needs. The new Bridge College is due to open in September 2012 and will be a centre of excellence for learning support. A substantial area of the site will be dedicated to promoting horticulture in an urban setting.

Building on Bridge College’s Silver award at the RHS Flower Show in Tatton in 2010, the winning design will be selected by a judging panel of students and staff from both colleges, and will be created on site by a team of Manchester College and Bridge College students. The judges are looking for vibrant, artistic and creative designs that will reflect the two institutions coming together to give young people with complex needs access to some of the best, most innovative services in the UK.

The competition is a fantastic opportunity for landscape design students or amateurs to showcase their skills. No formal qualifications or professional experience are required, but competitors will need to have a good knowledge of garden design and be able to display a realistic understanding of the creation and costing of the garden. Designs should take account of the needs of disabled young people.

David Marriott, Chief Executive of the Together Trust, said; “By sharing their knowledge and expertise, Bridge College and The Manchester College have created an exceptional unique and exciting education project, so we’re looking for designs that will reflect and celebrate this groundbreaking partnership. I’d encourage everyone with an interest in gardening or design to get involved.”

Carl Miller, from The Manchester College, said; “We want to give garden designers an opportunity they might not otherwise have, and the RHS show is a fantastic opportunity to show off their skills. Last year, a student from The Manchester College designed our garden and those from the Horticulture and Construction teams built it, and they managed to win a silver medal in the process.”

Entrants have until 16th December 2011 to submit their designs. For more information on entering the competition, email tatton@themanchestercollege.ac.uk