News and stories | Page 3 | Together Trust

Photo of a drama session with a quote, “It’s great when Bridge College staff feedback to us that students have learnt a new skill, or they’ve seen someone achieve something they haven’t before.”

The National Youth Theatre bringing drama to life at Bridge College

31 January 2022 - 1:45pm

Inclusion Facilitators, Ada and Jayran from the National Youth Theatre of Great Britain have been leading drama sessions in Bridge College for the last 4 months. The National Youth Theatre said, “Inclusive Practice is essential to the work that we do, and we want to make sure that NYT is always a welcoming and accessible place for disabled and neurodiverse young people.”

Bridge College learners immersed in the amazing Van Gogh experience

26 January 2022 - 11:15am

Students at Bridge College had a brilliant opportunity to visit the Van Gogh Live experience at Media City. They followed Van Gogh on a journey through the Netherlands, Arles, Sain Remy and Auvers-sur-Oise, where he created many of his timeless masterpieces. Set to an evocative classical score.

The PMLD (Profound Multiple Learning Disabilities) group attended. It was their first trip out of college since lockdown and they had an amazing time!

Celebrating 30 years of service at the Together Trust: Ian Riley’s story

14 January 2022 - 12:00pm

As we begin the new year, we at the Together Trust are looking forward to many special events and occasions. One of these occasions is celebrating 30 years of service for a very special support worker at our charity.

To mark Ian Riley’s milestone, we interviewed him to find out what made him leave the engineering industry for the social care sector, even if it meant cycling 26 miles every day, how he was chosen as ‘No 17th Happiest Person in Britain” thanks to his work at the charity and what inspires him to keep working with the Trust after 30 years of service.

Facts and myths about the employment of people with disabilities

13 January 2022 - 9:00am

According to the Labour Force Survey, there were 4.4m disabled people in employment in the UK in Q2 2021. In addition, the disability employment rate was 52.7% in Q2 2021, compared to 81.0% for non-disabled people.

Although disability inclusion in the workforce becomes more prevalent, tackling stigma and unconscious bias is still a significant hurdle in bringing on disabled hires at the workplace.

We spoke to Chloe Parker, Job Coach, and Lorraine Ashworth, SEND Tutor, at our specialist college - Bridge College, about some of the potential barriers and their solutions regarding hiring, supported interns.

Bridge College students making a positive impact locally

11 January 2022 - 2:30pm

Work experience at Bridge College is a great way for students to gain invaluable skills that they can use in the future. There are lots of ways students benefit from work experience.

Students, Tom and Charles, currently have a placement working at The Bread and Butter Thing. They have been there for 12 weeks since August 2021 and have made such an impression already.

152 years of the Together Trust

4 January 2022 - 10:00am

On 4 January 1870, our first home opened as a 'Night Refuge for Homeless Boys' in a small terraced house on Quay Street in Manchester. The charity provided basic shelter for the night and food for boys who would otherwise be living on the streets.

They averaged around 40 permanent residents each month, with 144 boys admitted from 4 January – 4 July 1870. The children were in three separate divisions: shoeblacks, messengers and those who had acquired permanent situations. They all earned wages, and a proportion of this paid for their maintenance. The rest was spent on clothes for themselves or lodged as savings.

£22,000 raised at our Christmas appeal

4 January 2022 - 9:00am

We are incredibly thankful and proud that our Christmas appeal #TogetherForChristmas 2021 raised over £22,000 from cash donations and gifts These have gone to the children, adults and families we support to make their holidays a little brighter. Thank you to everyone who donated, supported, shared and showed us kindness this season.

"Christmas can be an extremely difficult time for our young people, some of whom do not get to see family over the holiday period. Receiving additional presents from people outside of the home provides a sense of belonging to the community and instils the sense of Christmas spirit."

Inscape House School welcomes author and his loveable companion

17 December 2021 - 2:45pm

Last week, we welcomed Robert Martin and his friendly companion Dusty at Inscape School for an engaging book reading of his new children's book, Joe and Dusty.

Students were invited to learn more about the book, ask questions to the author and meet Dusty, his Bull Terrier and star of his book.

Inscape House School students sell Van Gogh inspired art

10 December 2021 - 8:00am

Students from Inscape House School are selling their artwork to raise money for a school trip. The Post 16 students created the art as part of their Enterprise Art Sessions, where they drew inspiration from visiting the Van Gogh exhibition at Media City. The project was led by Lisa Bowyer, an Associate Teacher at the school.

A photo collage of the young people doing a haristyle, nails.

Beauty day at Ashcroft College

1 December 2021 - 12:00pm

In November, students at Ashcroft College organised a ‘Client day’, which takes place every term and aims to support our learners, working towards their Hair and Beauty BTEC Level 1 qualification. The young people invited all the Together Trust colleagues to take part and get treated with a day at the college salon. Clients had the opportunity to choose from a range of beauty treatments the students have been learning about throughout the term, including hairstyling, nails and facials.

Ashcroft student speaks at the Together Trust's annual general meeting

30 November 2021 - 10:00am

Kyran is 13 years old and has been a student at Ashcroft School since May last year. As well as thriving in his new educational environment, Kyran has also quickly become a strong advocate for the Together Trust outside of school. Last week, Kyran and his mother Kylie spoke at the Together Trust AGM about the difference Ashcroft has made to their lives. In this blog, Kyran shares how Ashcroft has helped him.

The Together Trust welcomes new Chair of Trustees

26 November 2021 - 3:15pm

The Together Trust is delighted to welcome Giles Gaddum as the new chair of trustees. The Cheshire based business owner is the fifth member of the Gaddum family to serve on the board of the Together Trust. The family have supported the charity since 1902 when Henry Theodore Gaddum took the position of trustee. His son Harry followed in his father’s footsteps and in 1920 he became the first member of the family to chair the board. Giles has served on the board since 2009 and has supported the charity all his life.

A collage of the students during the filming process.

Ashcroft College students show filming skills

20 November 2021 - 9:00am

Students at one of our specialist schools, Ashcroft College, have worked with the digital agency Creative Concern to produce a short film about their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. Guided by Claire and Chris from the agency, the students planned, filmed and edited the short piece, experiencing what it is like to work as a professional filmmaker. The young people enjoyed learning new practical skills such as filming, sound recording, post-production, and screening the finished product, but the experience also allowed them to develop their leadership and creative thinking skills.

Students displaying their designed tote bags

Bridge College students designing tote bags

12 November 2021 - 11:00am

Students at one of our specialist schools, Bridge College, have been designing and selling food-themed tote bags within the college as their first major print project of the academic year, thanks to funding from the Karten Network.

The main focus of the project was designing and making a product the students felt other people would buy, so they agreed on an item that is not only practical but eco-friendly – tote bags. The design theme was fruit and vegetables and aims to encourage a healthy lifestyle.

A photo of a student and staff on bikes.

Road Safety Week at Bridge College

9 November 2021 - 2:15pm

“Road Safety Week is the UK's biggest road safety event. Every year, thousands of schools, organisations and communities get involved to shout out for our right to make safe and healthy journeys every day.”

Find out more from the Brake – the road safety charity here.

The Together Trust taking part in Manchester Pride Festival 2021

20 September 2021 - 4:00pm

Manchester Pride Festival is one of the world's leading celebrations of the LGBTQ+ community and took place over August 2021 Bank Holiday weekend.

Although the pandemic restrictions changed the format of the day and reduced the number of people who could participate, staff members from across the Together Trust volunteered to get involved in the Equality Marches. Participants were encouraged to bring protest placards and banners to highlight the inequalities prevalent within our society.

A photo of Jeremy, Assistive Technologist, testing the VR equipment

Bridge College features in Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership film

16 September 2021 - 11:30am

Bridge College had a fantastic opportunity to work with the Manchester Health and Social care partnership to share students’ experiences of transitioning from school to further education. Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership (GMHSCP) is supporting the city region’s pupils through its mental health in an education programme and Bridge College are proud to be part of this great initiative.

New research: Where's the care?

13 September 2021 - 11:00am

Together Trust research finds high numbers of children in care of compulsory education age are not in education, employment or training living in unregulated accommodation.

Young people overcoming mental health issues through learning to DJ

9 September 2021 - 9:00am

Learning to be a DJ is not maybe the first thing you would think of when considering what to do to help young people with their emotional and mental well-being. However, Rebecca Highton, an occupational therapy apprentice at the Together Trust, tells us how she has found common ground between music and supporting young people with autism and mental health needs.

Photo of a family eating breakfast together

Together Trust responds to the Case for Change

14 August 2021 - 10:45am

In June, the Independent Children's Social Care Review published it's first report, the Case for Change. Together Trust has contributed to the Care Review in a number of ways: