News and stories | Together Trust

A student laughing looking at lights on a table along with a support worker

Bridge College Virtual Open Evening

6 October 2021 - 10:30am

Families and carers are invited to our Zoom conversation where they can meet the team here at Bridge College and ask questions about the facilities, curriculum and Supported Internship Programme. We'll explain our application and admissions process and answer any questions you might have. We will also send you a link to our virtual tour.

All you need to do is call the college to book your place. Leave your name and email address and we'll send you the link to the Zoom meeting.

We can't wait to meet you!

A photo of Jeremy, Assistive Technologist, testing the VR equipment

Bridge College features in Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership film

16 September 2021 - 11:30am

Bridge College had a fantastic opportunity to work with the Manchester Health and Social care partnership to share student’s experiences of transitioning from school to further education. Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership (GMHSCP) is supporting the city region’s pupils through its mental health in education programme and Bridge College are proud to be part of this great initiative.

New research: Where's the care?

9 September 2021 - 11:00am

Together Trust research finds high numbers of children in care of compulsory education age are not in education, employment or training living in unregulated accommodation.

Young people overcoming mental health issues through learning to DJ

9 September 2021 - 9:00am

Learning to be a DJ is not maybe the first thing you would think of when considering what to do to help young people with their emotional and mental well-being. However, Rebecca Highton, an occupational therapy apprentice at the Together Trust, tells us how she has found common ground between music and supporting young people with autism and mental health needs.

Photo of a family eating breakfast together

Together Trust responds to the Case for Change

14 August 2021 - 10:45am

In June, the Independent Children's Social Care Review published it's first report, the Case for Change. Together Trust has contributed to the Care Review in a number of ways:

The Together Trust achieves Investors in People Gold Award

2 August 2021 - 9:45am

The Together Trust is celebrating, following the announcement of being successfully accredited the highly prestigious Investors in People Gold Award for the first time since 2001.

The ‘Gold’ status was awarded following the results of an independent staff survey and series of staff interviews which highlighted that our charity demonstrated excellence in leading, inspiring and empowering the workforce and recognising and rewarding high performance.

The Together Trust leaves its mark on Manchester building where it all began

21 July 2021 - 10:15am

A new plaque was unveiled by Cllr Tommy Judge, the present Lord Mayor of Manchester, on Tuesday, marking the Together Trust’s very first home on Quay Street thanks to funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Photo of three children and young people on a colourful background

Together Trust's joint submission to the Committee on the Rights of the Child

15 July 2021 - 5:15pm

We are proud to be a member of Family for every Child, an international alliance of organisations that unite their skills and knowledge to achieve change for children and families worldwide.

Consultation response - Introducing national standards for independent and semi-independent provision

15 July 2021 - 1:15pm

Together Trust's response to the government's consultation on introducing national standards for independent and semi-independent provision for looked-after children and care leavers aged 16 and 17.

Question raised in Parliament

15 July 2021 - 12:15pm

At the end of June, Jill Sheldrake (Service Director), Amanda Hampson (Head of Community and Personalisation), Rick Vogan (Head of Clinical Services) and Ali Gunn (Communications and Campaigns Manager) met with Cheadle MP Mary Robinson in June to discuss the integration of health and social care.

New leadership at Bridge College

15 July 2021 - 11:00am

Sara Bayley,
Head of Service at Bridge College

I’m very excited to become part of #TeamBridge.

A term of sporting events at Bridge College

14 July 2021 - 4:15pm

Virtual Boccia

The virtual Boccia tournament was organised by Boccia England and AOC Sport. If you’re unaware, Boccia (pronounced bot-cha) is a Paralympic sport with no Olympic equivalent and is similar to bowls. Read more about Boccia England here: https://www.bocciaengland.org.uk/what-is-boccia This year more than 5,400 students from over 140 schools and colleges took part.

Local volunteers help care leavers to share their experiences

2 July 2021 - 1:30pm

Thanks to the National Lottery's Heritage Fund's generous funding, our charity has been opening up its rich history to the local community. Most recently, the charity, which supports over 2,000 children and adults each year, has been working with local volunteers on an oral histories project.

Jakeb: Pride month and the LGBTQ+ care experienced community

25 June 2021 - 4:15pm

As we come to the end of pride month Jakeb shares his reflections on LGBTQ+ young people in the care system.

I'm going to talk about being LGBTQ+ and being a care experienced person and growing up in the care system.

Bridge College students pleased to take part in an art project

23 June 2021 - 11:45am

The Turnpike in Leigh launched, a development programme for artists to engage and collaborate with organisations in Wigan, Stockport and Salford. The project is made possible with funding from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.

Nutrition and Hydration Week, 14 - 18 June

21 June 2021 - 12:30pm

Students helped to design activities for the week and led on how to involve their fellow students. They also decided that there would be a theme for each day.

Menu Monday:

Students were asked what their wish list menu would look like for either a meal or a day. A piece of fruit, a bottle of water and/or healthy breakfast were supplied to all staff and students.

Taste Test Tuesday:

A selection of smoothies/snacks/drinks was provided, and students tried to guess the ingredients. Students also participated in a taste quiz.

Water Wednesday:

Film brief - 150th evaluation

18 June 2021 - 8:45am

Thanks to funding as part of our Heritage Lottery Funded project ‘The Ever Open Door – 150 years of the Together Trust’, we are looking to produce a film that will document the main outcomes of the project and sit alongside our evaluation report.

Care Review case for change - our response

17 June 2021 - 11:30am

There has already been great analysis of where the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care case for change has got it right and where it has missed the mark, particularly on the issue of unregulated accommodation.

Positive feedback for our Mediation and Disagreement Resolution Services

15 June 2021 - 11:30am

Our specialist mediation and disagreement resolution service brings different parties together to work towards a positive outcome. We run an impartial service offering factual and unbiased information. We create neutral spaces where everyone feels heard and supported. We champion every young person’s voice, making sure their needs and ambitions are at the heart of the conversation.

A team member from Booths holding a collection bucket next to another sat on an exercise bike

Booths team raise over £1000 for local young people in care

15 June 2021 - 10:45am

The team from Booths in Hale Barns recently took part in the Captain Tom 100 challenge raising money for the fostering service at the Together Trust and the young people it supports.