Naomi Hewerdine, Speech & Language Therapist, at Bridge College, tells us about sensory stories and how they're a great way to tell an immersive story to our learners. She explains how they're designed to support communication and language development.

Students at Bridge College were delighted to receive a visit from award-winning vlogger and disability advocate, Isaac Harvey.

We're delighted to have strengthened our board with the appointment of seven trustees. 

The new members, Gani Martins, Geoff Durbin, Jane Walapu, Jane Grime, Lyndsey Stark, Marcell Edwards and Nick Lowry each bring a wealth of expertise and lived experience to the organisation. 

Food and drink that your child consumes throughout the day, and especially in the evening, can have an impact on how well they settle to sleep. Caffeine and sugar both impact sleep quality and can cause more frequent night wakings.

We're delighted to announce that the Together Trust has retained the prestigious gold award by Investor in Customers (IIC) for our exceptional support of children, individuals and families.    

It is the third time we have received the gold standard accreditation, which recognises outstanding service for the people we support and the agencies we work with.  

People sleep significantly better and feel more alert during the day if they get at least 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity a week. Exercise is beneficial to both physical and mental health and increases your child’s need for sleep. 

The relationship between exercise and sleep is a reciprocal one. It’s easier for your child to sleep when they have been active, and it’s easier to be active after a good night’s sleep.

A new exhibition, exploring the 150-year history of the Together Trust, opened this week at Manchester Central Library.  

The exhibition, supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, tells the changing story of our work to champion and care for people in the region over the last century and a half.  

The Together Trust was founded in 1870, by Leonard Shaw and Richard Taylor, to provide shelter for homeless boys in Manchester and Salford. Its first home, the Night Refuge with 12 beds, was on Quay Street, Manchester.  In its first 50 years, the charity helped around 124,500 children.   

A bedtime routine helps to regulate children’s body clocks and aids relaxation, leading to a good night’s sleep. Trying a new bedtime routine might worsen sleep patterns before they get better. Consistency is important and we advise sticking to the new routine for at least two weeks before you start to see some positive changes.

Cortisol is a hormone that is raised during times of stress and makes us feel alert and awake. It naturally reduces at night so that we can sleep. If your child is anxious at bedtime, their cortisol levels will be raised, and they will find it difficult to sleep.