The Together Trust celebrates the official opening of Lyndene: A new service for children and young people
On 19 June, The Together Trust charity proudly announced the official launch of its newest service, Lyndene, aimed at supporting children and young people with learning disabilities and autism aged 8 to 18. Situated in Wythenshawe, this service was established through a collaborative effort involving Manchester City Council’s social care team and NHS England.
Lyndene is dedicated to supporting families and children through the development of systems and strategies aimed at keeping families together. The service works in partnership with schools and multidisciplinary teams to facilitate improvements in school attendance and access to the education system for children.
The celebration commenced with an opening speech from Mel Dunn, Chief Executive of the Together Trust, who commended the incredible dedication and passion displayed by the Lyndene team.
“The commitment of our staff to the wellbeing of our young people is remarkable,” said Dunn.
Sean McKendrick, Strategic Director of Children’s Services and Education for MCC addressed the audience, emphasising the importance of empowering children and young people with autism and learning disabilities to gain independence skills. They highlighted the incredible work and progress made by children and young people at Lyndene so far.
Although the official launch took place this June, Lyndene has been operational for a year, positively impacting children, young people, parents, and families.
Mel Dun and Sean McKendrick during the opening speech
Another young person at Lyndene, improved his baking skills, mastering recipes for brownies and pizza in just two weeks. He takes great joy in sharing his culinary creations with staff and family.
A social worker, expressed his admiration for the Lyndene staff, stating, "I have witnessed the excellent work conducted by the team. They have shown exceptional commitment supporting the young people and remain dedicated despite any challenges faced."
A parent shared their gratitude, saying,
"I just want to extend my thanks for all the support you are providing us, especially regarding school. Sue was outstanding yesterday."
With the addition of Lyndene, the Together Trust charity offers over 40 services across the North West of England, encompassing education, care, and support for children, young people, and adults with various needs.