We are 150
For 150 years we’ve been working to champion the rights of people in need of support.
We were founded in 1870 by Leonard Killbe Shaw and Richard Bramwell Taylor as the Manchester and Salford Boys and Girls Refuges and Homes. They aspired to improve the lives of young people neglected by the state. Their work continues to inspire our modern-day values and that commitment to the people we support never falters because they are at the heart of everything we do.
Our commitment to the people we support never falters because they are at the heart of everything we do.
Thanks to the Heritage Lottery Fund and Arts Council England we’ll be opening up our history throughout the year in lots of ways. See below for what’s in store:
150 Artists exhibition, The Lowry, 1 February – 25 May
Our 150 Artists exhibition is a display of work created by the people we support at the Together Trust. We co-commissioned with the people we support 7 pairs of artists, who have worked across our services between November-January. Focusing on the Trusts past, present and future, people from across our services have used art forms from dance and movement to photography and chalk work to convey what the charities history looks like and what it means to them going forward.
The exhibition is free to view and can be located in the Circle Bar cases at The Lowry.
Memory Collecting Events, 24 April and 25 September
Join us in April and September as we gather at the Upper Room in Cheadle Village to host two Memory Collecting Events. These events are for anyone who has a memory of the Trust from the past 150th years, whether that be a story, a photograph or a piece of memorabilia, we’d love you to come and share it with us.
Care Leavers Reunion, 1 August
This summer we will be hosting a reunion for care experienced people who have come through the Trust. This is an opportunity for people we have supported over the years to come together and share their experiences, as well as meet other people who have followed a similar path.
Manchester Central Library exhibition, 7 September – 18 December
Following its run at The Lowry, from the 7 September, art work featured in our 150 artist’s exhibition will then be featured at Manchester Central Library. Along with material from our archive, this will be an opportunity to explore the Together Trusts history of pioneering change alongside some of the art work created by the people we support
Our Digital Timeline
Our Heritage Lottery Fund has made it possible for us to digitalise lots of our archive across the last 150 years, which is then being developed into a digital timeline that celebrates our pioneering achievements since 1870. This will be available on our website from June 2020.
‘The Ever Open Door – 150 years of the Together Trust’
In spring 2020 we will be releasing ‘The Ever Open Door’, a book which chronicles the Together Trusts rich history from 1870 all the way through to the present day.
Oral Histories Project
We are keen to gather stories from those who have been in the Together Trust’s care. Thanks to the Heritage Lottery Fund we can add these important memories to our archive, which will be preserved for the future. The project aims to get care experienced people’s voices heard and will be collected by other care leavers. If you would like to tell your story or are a care experienced person who would like to gain skills in oral history interviewing, recording and transcribing please contact us.
150th Heritage Plaque
We are proud of our history and want to make other people aware of our rich heritage and humble beginnings. In 2020, we will be unveiling a heritage plaque to mark our very first home at 16 Quay Street in Manchester.
For more information on any events listed above, please contact our Project Coordinator Rebecca Finley on rebecca.finley@togethertrust.org.uk or 0161 423 4801
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Our history
From humble beginnings to supporting thousands of people each year, we’ve been championing the rights of young people since 1870.