News and stories | Together Trust

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(DCP) we are launching research which finds that's disabled children and their families have had vital care and support withdrawn during the coronavirus pandemic.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.

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!

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.

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.

The Two Point Six Challenge

21 April 2020 - 1:30pm

Become part of #TeamTogetherTrust by taking on The 2.6 Challenge from Sunday 26th April. Whether you’re running around the balcony for 2.6 miles, baking 26 cupcakes in 26 minutes or completing 26 burpees in a row. Whatever you do, your support will help us continue to provide care, special education and support services for young people, adults and families across the North West.

Bridge College in Manchester extends its Supported Internship Programme

16 April 2020 - 10:15am

The Together Trust’s Bridge College has extended its Supported Internship Programme and opened applications for places for the next intake in the autumn. The programme is open to 16 to 24 year olds with an Education and Health Care Plan (EHCP) who are interested in getting into employment.

Bridge College in Manchester shortlisted for a national award

15 April 2020 - 11:15am

The Together Trust’s Bridge College in Manchester has been shortlisted for a national award, in recognition for its work in supporting students with profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD).

Natspec, the awarding body, shortlisted Bridge College from more than 50 entries from across the county in the ‘Inter-disciplinary Working’ category for the college’s project ‘Innovation in supporting students with PMLD: Achieving integration of learning and therapy through Physiotherapy and Sensory Sport.’

Daniel Turner, Managing Director at William Turner and Alicen Thorn, Corporate Fundraiser at the Together Trust

Stockport family run business William Turner raises £8,967.41 for the Together Trust

10 March 2020 - 10:30am

Daniel Turner, Managing Director of Stockport business William Turner, came to our Cheadle site recently to present us with a cheque for £8,967.41 raised by the company and its employees during its one year charity partnership with the Together Trust.

The family run business, now in its third generation, has been supplying high quality handmade school and corporate wear through independent retailers for more than fifty years. The company’s products, including school accessories such as bags, are manufactured locally in its own factories in Nelson and Skipton.

Wendy Coomer MBE and her husband Ian Coomer

The Together Trust's Wendy Coomer receives her MBE

26 February 2020 - 4:15pm

The Together Trust’s very own Wendy Coomer attended a ceremony at Buckingham Palace earlier this month, at which she received an MBE from Princess Anne.

BBC North West Tonight features the Together Trust

20 February 2020 - 12:15pm

The BBC came to see us this week, to learn all about the Together Trust and what we’re doing to mark our 150th anniversary, including our 150 Artists Exhibition at The Lowry Centre in Salford.