In 2020 the Together Trust is celebrating 150 years of continuous service to children and families in the North West of England.

We’ve come a long way since 1870, when Leonard Shaw and Richard Taylor founded a ‘Night Refuge for Homeless boys’ on Quay Street in Manchester.  In the 150 years that followed we added new homes, opened our doors to girls as well as boys, went through names changes, added new services for our communities and opened schools, training and emigration schemes and a fostering service.

This month, exactly 150 years ago, our founders Leonard Shaw and Richard Taylor opened a ‘Night Refuge for Homeless Boys’ at 16 Quay Street in the centre of Manchester. This three storey Georgian terrace house, long since demolished, marks the start of our story, the story of the Together Trust.

We were treated to a moving speech at today's AGM from Inscape student, Ethan, where he talked about how much of a difference the Together Trust and staff at Inscape have made to his life. Around 40 people were at the event, including staff, trustees, governors and Salford ceremonial mayor and Stockport ceremonial mayors and mayoress.

We are joining 140+ organisations in a call to all political parties to put children and young people at the heart of this general election.

There are almost 14 million children in the UK but their voices are missing from the national conversation and far too little attention has been paid to their needs, particularly those of the most vulnerable. Instead, the debate on Brexit means the issues affecting children are being crowded out of the national debate.

Today the education select committee published its report on special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The committee's inquiry reviewed the government's changes to the SEND system in 2014 and the impact on families and young people with special education needs and disabilities.

We’re excited to announce that the National Lottery Heritage Fund has awarded us £99,200 to explore and celebrate our 150 years of history.

Our fostering service has been running for over 20 years, alongside our residential and short break services. 

The Together Trust’s very own Bridge College is the only specialist college in England to receive Sport England funding!