News and stories | Together Trust

Joyful news for Pride Month

24 June 2022 - 1:45pm

With the LGBTQ+ month well underway, here are some of the ways our Together Trust team is marking it across the services. The Together Trust has recently launched a brand new network for LGBTQ+ staff that is all about creating inclusive and supportive communities for queer people and allies. The network aims to provide our LGBTQ+ staff and allies with a safe space to discuss experiences, celebrate events, raise awareness and effect change. The network is open to all staff members - whether you identify as LGBT+, are still questioning, or are an ally.

a man with two children smiling at the camera. They are holding hands and the man is holding an umbrella.

Our position on the Care Review

21 June 2022 - 12:45pm

When the Care Review was announced in January 2021, it was described as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reset the way that children were cared for in England. Care experienced people, campaigners, and charities rang the alarm on the children’s social care system years ago. The review comes to us with an early acknowledgement that the present system is not working. For staff in our residential care homes, social workers, advocates and more importantly, care experienced people themselves, this is a truism.

Students and staff in a row on stage. They are playing the drums.

Greater Manchester’s specialist schools join forces for music extravaganza 

17 June 2022 - 12:00pm

Pupils from specialist schools across Greater Manchester and Cheshire came together for the Together Trust’s Music Festival. 

Hosted at the Lowry in Salford Quays, the festival showcased performances from 90 students from the Together Trust’s specialist education settings and other specialist schools from the region. 

young boy smiling wide with both of his thumbs up. he is standing above a gingerbread man decorated to look like Iron Man

Students foster empathy through cookie decorating, paper dolls and reading

13 June 2022 - 11:30am

Students from Inscape House School got to lead their own fun activities on Empathy Day 2022. We spoke to Talia, Alice and Amy to find out how decorating gingerbread people, making empathy dolls and reading can help improve our relationship with emotions.

Young girl holding deer antlers. She is looking down smiling. Next to her is a staff member from Dunham Massey park explaining. They are stood outside in the park.

Teaching life skills to autistic youth: combining work experience with animals and nature

10 June 2022 - 1:45pm

Young people from Inscape House School got a private tour to Dunham Massey and an invitation to join their team for work experience in September. The enthusiastic volunteers from National Trust told us all about the park, the resident deer and how current work experience students Jake and Talia have fun working in the park.

How volunteering can help change your career pathway

6 June 2022 - 8:00am

From doing something great for your community and making new connections to being a stronger candidate during your job search - volunteering comes with many personal and professional benefits.

Did the Care Review listen to the people we support?

1 June 2022 - 11:15am

Earlier this week, the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care was published. Since the Review commenced in March 2021, we have campaigned to ensure that the views of the people we support are represented in roundtable discussions and meetings with the review team, amplified through our involvement with the Alliance for Children in Care and Care Leavers, and heard within our response to the Case for Change.

The benefits of volunteering with a disability charity

1 June 2022 - 8:00am

Volunteers’ Week, 1-7 June, provides an ideal opportunity to thank our inspiring community of local volunteers who give their time so freely to make a difference in the lives of the people our charity supports.

Increasing skills and knowledge by volunteering at the Together Trust

31 May 2022 - 4:45pm

Tahira Poswal works at one of our schools, Inscape House, as a reading support volunteer working on a 1 to 1 basis with students. Tahira helps the students with reading and numeracy and has been filling this role now for a few months.

Valuable contributions of Together Trust volunteers documented in new report

31 May 2022 - 2:30pm

As Volunteers’ Week (1-7 June) gets underway, we are releasing our new annual volunteering report which celebrates our helpers and the value they generate for the people we support.

Overall, the Together Trust has approximately 60 volunteers in a variety of roles from trustees and governors to reading supporters and musicians.

We're looking for governors to support our specialist schools

27 May 2022 - 3:00pm

A rewarding opportunity to influence the strategy and direction of our specialist schools and college, supporting children and young people who have struggled to cope in other settings because of their individual barriers to learning.

What we learned at the SEND consultation event

24 May 2022 - 2:30pm

On 17 May 2022 our Campaigns and Advocacy Officer, Styliana, attended an event hosted by the Council for Disabled Children. The event was about the SEND and Alternative Provision (AP) Green Paper and was facilitated by officials from the Department for Education (DfE).

Attendees consisted of professionals working with children and young people with SEND and parents/carers. Here, Styliana shares what was discussed and reflections on SEND provision.

a photo of a student working at a laptop with their support worker

National ‘Thank A Teacher’ Day – 26 May

24 May 2022 - 11:45am

National Thank A Teacher Day is an annual celebration of our schools, colleges, teachers and support staff across the country. The Thank a Teacher Campaign is run by The Teaching Awards Trust, which was established in 1998 by Lord David Puttnam CBE, to celebrate and recognise excellence in education.

Michael Morpurgo, celebrated author and former Children’s Laureate, and President of the Teaching Awards Trust said:

RAF pilots and DJs inspiring Inscape students to explore career opportunities

24 May 2022 - 8:00am

A one-day event celebrating the joys of innovation and hands-on learning was delivered at Inscape House School. The day helped our students explore a wide range of fun, interactive, and educational activities and games in the fields of science, technology, engineering, art, and maths (STEAM).

to the left - a photo of Naomi holding an umbrella over a learner. top right - a still from the series Heart Stopper. bottom right - Naomi pouring water from a watering can onto the top of an umbrella.

Heartstopper Sensory Story at Bridge College

23 May 2022 - 10:15am

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 N and J with Isaac posing for a photo in college

Bridge College visited by award winning vlogger and disability advocate

19 May 2022 - 12:00pm

We were delighted to receive a visit from award-winning vlogger and disability advocate, Isaac Harvey, this week.

The influencer, who was born with a form of limb hypoplasia, is a powerful advocate of what disabled people can achieve and uses his videos to inspire millions of followers.

Isaac visited Bridge College, where he was given a tour by students Natasha, 23 and Jamal, 17. He met learners from across the college and heard about their favourite classes, work experience, and what they love about Bridge college.

Sleep tips: Light

16 May 2022 - 8:00am

How much light your child is exposed to before bedtime and in their bedroom itself can have a significant impact on how well they sleep as light disrupts their circadian rhythm and tells their body it is time to stay awake and alert. However, your child’s sleep isn’t just affected by light levels in their bedroom, but also by light levels during the day.

Headshots of seven new trustees against a blue background

Together Trust welcomes new trustees to its board

13 May 2022 - 10:45am

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.

Photos of Humzah busy at the National Football Museum

Humzah developing work skills and growing in confidence at the National Football Museum

10 May 2022 - 12:15pm

At Bridge College, we prepare our students for all aspects of adulthood, from community life to independent, healthy living and the world of work. We want everyone to leave feeling confident for their future. Every day, our students develop their work skills and self-confidence. We do this by supporting students to develop on-the-job training through work placements with community-based partners.

Sleep tips: Food and drink

9 May 2022 - 8:00am

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.