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  • What we do
    Everyone deserves to lead a happy life – together, we make that possible

    What we do

    At the Together Trust, we deliver individual care, support and education services across the North West.

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    • Education
      • Bridge College
      • Inscape House School
      • Inscape House Vocational College
    • Caring homes
      • Homes for children and young people
      • Short breaks
      • Fostering
    • Therapy and specialist support
      • For schools
      • For families
      • For professionals
    • Helping families
      • Specialist information, advice and support
      • Mediation
      • Sleep services
      • Short breaks
    • Community support
      • Out in the community
    • Campaigning
      • Our campaigns
      • Our research
      • SEND reforms
      • Keep Caring to 18
      • Accessible travel
      • Mental Health
    • What we do
  • Get involved

    Get involved

    Whether it’s joining the team, becoming a foster carer or making a regular donation, your support changes lives.

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    • Ways to give
      • Make a donation
      • Sponsor our support animals for just £3 a month
      • Celebration giving
      • Play our weekly lottery
      • Charity partnerships
      • Give monthly
      • Recycling
      • Shop with us
    • Come to an event
      • Fundraising events
      • Join Together Festival 2025
      • All events
      • Community events
    • Get fundraising
      • Take on a challenge event
      • Take on a fundraising challenge
      • Run the London Marathon for Together Trust
    • Help shape our work
      • Volunteer
      • Campaign
    • Get involved
  • About us

    Together we thrive

    At the Together Trust, our vision is a society where people thrive because they are valued within their communities.

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    • Who we are
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Contact us Contact us

Secret Santa with a twist

the hr team stood together at the Christmas markets
18 November 2024

Candles, novelty socks, bath kits – how much difference can your team really make with Secret Santas? 

For the past two years, the HR team at Together Trust has traded their traditional team Secret Santa for a generous donation of vouchers to our services – helping make Christmas a little brighter for people across the Northwest.


“Rather than having something we didn’t need, we put the money together in the hope it could make a difference to our services,” explains Kate.

“I enjoy doing this more than Secret Santa because I find buying a present for a colleague stressful,” adds Jenny. “I don’t always know what they want and often think that the gift ends up as clutter or in a drawer unused.” 

“I would much rather that I spend that money on something that somebody else really needs and can benefit from, which is why I prefer to buy the vouchers – it is much easier, less stressful, and I know it is going to be useful and well received.

Donations to the Together for Christmas Appeal help purchase vouchers for care leavers and families on pupil premium, relieving some of that Christmas stress and making this time of year a little bit brighter. Last year, donations from efforts like HR’s Secret Santa helped 80 care leavers and families have an easier winter.  

"We’ve been blown away with the generosity of the HR team at Christmas over the last two years. The £190 they raised last year is truly incredible and our services are always so grateful for vouchers to spend as they need!"
Lottie, Fundraiser at the Together Trust

Last year, our amazing supporters provided 416 gifts for the young people and adults across our services – matched as closely as possible to their unique interests.

We know that Christmas can be difficult for everyone, but the HR team’s brilliant Secret Santa idea shows how small swaps can make a real difference.

a young girl holding a Christmas present

"The festive period is a time to celebrate with friends and family and is a time of happiness and generosity. In a time when budgets can be tight, it’s always amazing to see how generous people can be for those who truly benefit, this is why as a team we decided that, rather than spending the money on each other, we would donate to the Trust’s Christmas appeal.

Knowing that a young person we support may enjoy the festive period a little more due to our contributions - is to me - what it should be about. I will continue to donate to the Trust’s Christmas Appeal and would really urge others to do the same."

Meg from the HR team

A huge thank you to the HR team for their fantastic and thoughtful fundraising.

 If swapping your office’s Secret Santa for a donation to the Together for Christmas Appeal is something you’d like to start doing – or you have another idea of your own! – please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our Fundraising team at fundraising@togethertrust.org.uk

Learn more about the difference you can make this Christmas

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Contact us: Together Trust Centre, Schools Hill, Cheadle, Cheshire SK8 1JE | Tel: 0161 283 4848

Established 1870 | Registered charity No. 209782 | Registered in England 00301722 | Vat No. 611 4005 06