News and stories | Together Trust

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.

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.

Sleep tips: Exercise and daytime activity

2 May 2022 - 12:00pm

People sleep significantly better and feel more alert during the day if they get at least 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity a week. Exercise is beneficial to both physical and mental health and increases your child’s need for sleep.

The relationship between exercise and sleep is a reciprocal one. It’s easier for your child to sleep when they have been active, and it’s easier to be active after a good night’s sleep.

Sleep tips: Example of a bedtime routine

28 April 2022 - 11:30am

A bedtime routine helps to regulate children’s body clocks and aids relaxation, leading to a good night’s sleep. Often, when trying a new bedtime routine, sleep patterns get worse before they get better. Consistency is important and we advise sticking to the new routine for at least two weeks before you start to see some positive changes.

Below is an example of a bedtime routine for a child whose bedtime is 8:15 pm.

Sleep tips: Bedtime routine

25 April 2022 - 11:00am

A bedtime routine helps to regulate children’s body clocks and aids relaxation, leading to a good night’s sleep. Trying a new bedtime routine might worsen sleep patterns before they get better. Consistency is important and we advise sticking to the new routine for at least two weeks before you start to see some positive changes.

Sleep tips: Beds

18 April 2022 - 10:00am

Make sure your child only uses their bed for sleep in order to associate it with relaxation and a pre-bedtime ritual such as reading a book, rather than homework, gaming or playing with toys, for example.

Avoid using your child’s bed for time-out, or they’ll learn to associate it with punishment.

Sleep tips: Anxiety and fear

11 April 2022 - 9:00am

Cortisol is a hormone that is raised during times of stress and makes us feel alert and awake. It naturally reduces at night so that we can sleep. If your child is anxious at bedtime, their cortisol levels will be raised, and they will find it difficult to sleep.

Sleep tips: Afraid of the dark?

4 April 2022 - 8:00am

These fears are very normal and usually start showing up around the age of two. The reason for this is that a toddler’s mind is maturing, their memory is getting longer, and their imagination continues to develop. They are starting to become more aware that there are things that can hurt them. They may have even watched a show or read a book that frightened them.

World Sleep Day 2022: Tips for a good night’s sleep from our sleep specialist

18 March 2022 - 2:30pm

18 March marks World Sleep Day - the annual celebration of healthy sleeping patterns and awareness-raising of sleep problems. Quality sleep is essential to good mental health and living a happy life. This year’s theme is ‘Quality Sleep, Sound Mind, Happy World’.

Census support materials for adults with special educational needs and disabilities

26 February 2021 - 9:30am

The next Census is taking place on 21 March 2021 but what is different about it is that the Census will be digital for the first time, and people will be encouraged to fill it out online. The Census is required by law, and in early March, households will receive a letter with a unique online access code, allowing them to take part in the Census.

Because of this, we have put together a bunch of support materials to support young people and adults with special educational needs and disabilities and prepare them for the upcoming Census on 21 March:

Tips and ideas to look after your mental health during COVID-19

15 February 2021 - 10:45am

Like the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19), infectious disease outbreaks can be unsettling and impact the state of both our physical and mental health. While it is important to stay informed, we can also do things to support and manage our wellbeing during such times.

In the resource below, we have put together a comprehensive wellbeing guide to help you and your family look after their your health during the current pandemic and lockdown.

A Bridge College student sat at a table smiling at a member of teaching staff

Manchester Parent Carer Forum Surveys

12 February 2021 - 11:15am

Each year, the Parent Carer Forum carry out a survey of the views of parents/carers of children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.

Vaccination visual support materials for people with communication difficulties

2 February 2021 - 4:00pm

With the UK's vaccination programme in full swing and the government aiming to offer the vaccine to 15 million people by mid-February, those most at risk will be shortly, or potentially already be going through the process of getting vaccinated. Further news has now reported that everyone on the GP learning disability register should be prioritised for a Covid vaccine.

Task planner for autistic young people

26 January 2021 - 9:15am

The ability to organise, sequence and prioritise helps young people to plan their activities and manage their time effectively. However, some autistic people may find this difficult. As many students are learning at home, without the support of their usual school staff and resources, we have found some students asking for help to organise their schoolwork.

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.

Helping the young person you foster get settled in six easy steps

31 January 2019 - 4:45pm

We’re passionate about seeing our fostering families thrive together, so we’ve put together these handy steps to help the young person you’re fostering get settled at home.

Difference between education and clinical psychologists

31 January 2019 - 4:15pm

We have a team of dedicated, skilled and experienced therapists and practitioners who support people across our services. Fleur-Michelle Hope, one of our clinical psychologists, explains in her blog below the difference between clinical and educational psychologists.

A boy in the bathroom brushing his teeth

Six steps to a good night’s sleep

1 January 2019 - 2:45pm

A good night’s sleep can make a huge difference to our daily life. Sleep can help us stay healthy, improve our mood and is super important when it comes to learning. To help you or your child get a good night’s sleep, here are six easy steps to follow.

Blocking out the light

1 January 2019 - 2:30pm

If sleep (or lack of) is an issue in your family, the good news is you can do something about it. Disturbed sleep isn’t something you just have to ‘put up with’. A little knowledge goes a long way.

A girl in a red top looking at a mobile phone

How gadgets impact sleep

1 January 2019 - 1:45pm

Nowadays, mobile phones and other handheld gadgets are a big part of our lives. But does this allow us to get the best night’s sleep?