Our identity and sense of belonging are tied up in the memories of our childhood but for children in care, their records are often the only thing they have to piece together their life story. 

At the Together Trust, we have a substantial archive of records dating right back to 1870 because our founders recognised the significance of keeping records for the young people they cared for. It is part of our DNA to ensure that our care records help people understand their childhood. 

We are proud to announce that we have won a Natspec award for our innovative work in specialist education at Bridge college for introducing robots into the curriculum.

Our Bridge college won the Innovative use of technology award for our ongoing work we’re doing with LuxAI and Association of Colleges.

Children in care that live in unregulated accommodation are only entitled to support, not care. They are expected to fend for themselves with just a few hours of adult support a week. Unregulated accommodation can be a flat, bedsit, hostel or a caravan. At any one time, around 6,000 children aged 16 and 17, looked after by local authorities live in unregulated accommodation.  These are children of compulsory education and training age that the local authority has parental responsibility for. 

On 29^th April Bridge College students took part in an ‘all-college’ Student Parliament meeting via Zoom as part of the Student Voice curriculum.

This event enabled students across the country to meet, discuss and collaborate on topics that are important to them. It was an opportunity to bring the collective Learner Voice to one forum and have their say.

Marie spoke to us about her time in unregulated accommodation before moving to the Together Trust and her experience of moving to independence.  

To help celebrate World Autism Awareness Day 2021, 2 April, and raise awareness, we would like to introduce one of our pupils’ favourite staff members at our specialist school, Inscape House School - Coco. A gorgeous Shih Tzu support dog who has been an invaluable member of the transitions team since 2019.

At Inscape House School, we break down barriers to learning for children with autism, and we support young people from Year 1 to Year 14.

We like Article 39, Become, the Care Leavers Association and many others are in disbelief that the clear evidence on the isolation and risk that young people face in unregulated accommodation is being ignored. 

Are you interested in local history? Would you enjoy learning a new skill and helping to preserve people’s stories and experiences? 

As part of the Together Trust’s 150th anniversary celebrations, we are looking for volunteers to take part in an Oral Histories Project.  

Each year we run our annual easter appeal, where we ask people from our local community to donate chocolate eggs to the people we support. This year, due to the impact of Covid-19 and local restrictions, we need your help to raise money to ensure we can provide treats for the people we support this Easter.

Not all of the young people we support are able to have chocolates or edible treats, so we want to ensure we have alternative gifts available as well as the traditional chocolate eggs.