News and stories | Together Trust

A webinar session in collaboration with NATSPEC about positive behaviour support

Darren Evans, Positive Behaviour Support lead, hosts a webinar in collaboration with NATSPEC

21 July 2020 - 12:00pm

Last month, Darren Evans, Behaviour Analyst and PBS Lead at Bridge College, hosted a webinar in collaboration with The Association of National Specialist Colleges (NATSPEC). The webinar provides an opportunity to learn about a range of practical positive behaviour support (PBS) strategies and how these can be used to improve access and engagement in learning. The session also includes strategies for use by parents, staff and students, in the home learning environment and an education setting.

A painting of a person undergoing an eye test

Inscape Art Department has plenty to celebrate!

17 July 2020 - 1:15pm

There have been multiple reasons to celebrate for art students at Inscape House School with recognition for their fantastic work coming in various shapes and sizes. While the current healthcare pandemic has put a hold on the majority of school and college work across the country, a number of students from Inscape have been able to complete their projects and start planning for what their future holds.

Bridge College photo competition winners announced

10 July 2020 - 2:30pm

Bridge College has held its yearly photography competition and we’ve been truly blown away with all the stunning entries.

The competition was open to students that attend specialist education schools and colleges throughout the North West. Students were invited to send us their photography around the theme, “This is me” This was a great opportunity to get creative and to show off photography skills while schools and colleges haven’t been open to all during this unprecedented time.

Celebrating School Diversity

3 July 2020 - 10:15am

As part of National School Diversity Week (22 June – 26 June 2020) we engaged in a range of activities with our students and staff at our three educational schools.

Family Fund applications

22 June 2020 - 11:15am

If you would like to make an application our advisors can help you gather the information you need to confidently apply for funding.

Left in Lockdown

16 June 2020 - 2:00pm

As part of the Disabled Children’s Partnership (DCP) we are launching research which finds that's disabled children and their families have had vital care and support withdrawn during the coronavirus pandemic. Over 4000 families with disabled children and young people told us that they were being #LeftInLockdown.

Ashcroft School students have a heart for NHS workers and patients

12 June 2020 - 12:15pm

Students at Ashcroft Services, the Together Trust school that supports children and young people with social, emotional and mental health needs, have been getting crafty to show their support for frontline NHS staff and Covid-19 patients at Wythenshawe hospital.

Jacob hits top gear to help Inscape School

11 June 2020 - 6:30pm

Jacob Milward is a student at Inscape House School, the Together Trust school that breaks down barriers to learning for children and young people with autism. When Jacob realised that there was a gap in accessibility in transport at the school he was determined to help solve the matter. So, here’s Jacob’s story, and it’s a good one.

“I really love driving. I’ve got my own car at home but at school I noticed that the cars we had weren’t accessible for all our staff to drive.

Two Bridge College staff stood side by side getting ready to sign along with the text 'Shake it off' visible in between them

How Bridge College has been using Makaton to keep staff’s health and wellbeing on the agenda during covid-19.

10 June 2020 - 11:15am

Rachel, Bridge College’s Makaton Tutor, has been leading the way in getting staff to collaborate in Makaton challenges while most are working from home, offering a fantastic opportunity for everyone to get involved whether at home or in college. We spoke to Rachel about why she has been setting these challenges and heard what staff had to say about them:

Manchester Evening News Print Editor set to judge Bridge College photo competition

29 May 2020 - 12:30pm

Students at specialist schools and colleges across the North West have a chance to show off their photography skills and win a tablet device, to help them develop their creative and photographic skills. The competition is being run by the Together Trust’s Bridge College and is being judged by Paul Coates, the Print Editor at the Manchester Evening News.

The Together Trust on TV!

26 May 2020 - 3:00pm

Mark Lee, our chief executive, was recently interviewed by that’s TV Manchester, along with Stuart Wickstead a senior support worker at Lerryn, one of our residential care homes.

Stuart and Mark were talking about our recent initiative where the children and young people we support have been creating art for use in NHS primary care settings.

National Thank a Teacher Day

22 May 2020 - 4:45pm

This week saw the Together Trust celebrating National Thank a Teacher Day in all sorts of fun ways across our three schools, and here’s a round-up of what went on!

Supporting young people's wellbeing

22 May 2020 - 11:00am

This week is Mental Health Awareness Week and this year the theme is kindness. As a little act of kindness to all our supporters, we would like to share some wellbeing resources for you to enjoy.

Bridge extend their photo competition

20 May 2020 - 1:00pm

Bridge College have extended their photo competition until 6th July. If you're a student at a specialist school or college across the North West, why not use your extra time at home to get creative and share your best shots with us? The theme is 'this is me' and there are two categories that you can enter:

Bridge College celebrate National Smile month

19 May 2020 - 6:15pm

For many of the young adults we work with at Bridge College, learning to brush their own teeth without any help can be a huge milestone. Brushing your own teeth is not just about keeping them clean either; it can help young adults increase their self-confidence, which is a wonderful thing.

Created by one of our children in foster care.

Art for carers

19 May 2020 - 3:45pm

Last month we asked the children and young people we support to get creative for carers in response to the call from the Greater Manchester Health & Social Care Partnership for art to brighten the walls of the new NHS Nightingale Hospital North West, at Manchester’s G-Mex Centre.

15-weeks old Flo taking part in the 2.6 challenge to raise vital funds for the Together Trust

Meet our youngest fundraiser at the Together Trust

12 May 2020 - 1:30pm

The London Marathon is one of the most significant fundraising events every year. However, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it was cancelled which disappointed thousands of runners. Along with this, many charities across the UK have been left struggling to raise vital funds to support their work.

Deaf Awareness Week 2020

5 May 2020 - 5:15pm

Bridge College are celebrating Deaf Awareness week and this year's theme is, acquired deafness. Acquired deafness is where a person develops hearing loss at some time during their life, as opposed to at birth. When it is present at birth, it is known as congenital deafness.

The Together Trust launches its new ‘I am thankful…’ appeal

5 May 2020 - 1:30pm

The Together Trust has launched its new virtual ‘I am thankful for…’ appeal this week, with the official launch date being Tuesday 5 May to coincide with ‘Giving Tuesday Now'.

Giving Tuesday happens every year, however this year Giving Tuesday Now has been created in response the COVID-19 crisis. As charities have seen such a huge reduction in income since the outbreak of the virus, digital campaigns are now the focus for engagement with the community and businesses.

Art for NHS Nightingale Manchester

29 April 2020 - 3:45pm

The Greater Manchester Health & Social Care Partnership has asked for art to brighten the walls of the new NHS Nightingale Hospital North West, at Manchester’s G-Mex Centre. And we at the Together Trust are responding.

The children and young people in our schools and care settings, who in many cases have learning disabilities, complex needs, communications difficulties and autism, have been busy creating art in all shapes and sizes.