Together Trust
2017/18 Annual Review
See our highlights
Welcome From The Chief Executive
We are Together Trust. We’re here to improve the lives of people with disabilities, complex needs, autism and their families. In 2017-18 we delivered our life-changing services to over 3,700 people. We have not done this alone. We have worked in partnership, forging local and national alliances with organisations that share our values. We do all this because we believe in a world where everyone is equal. I would like to thank all our staff, volunteers and supporters who have helped us to ensure that the people we support can live the life they choose. I hope you enjoy reading about our work and the difference we have made this year.
Mark Lee, Chief Executive
May
Together Trust Joins The Disabled Children’s Partnership #SecretLifeOfUs
We joined the Disabled Children’s Partnership as a supporter of the group alongside 25 other charities such as Mencap, Scope and The National Autistic Society. This year the partnership worked with young people and their families to start a new public facing campaign in England.
July
Courage in the face of a challenge
We celebrated our annual achievement awards. Amongst the award winners was Bridge College student Gary, recognising his courage when faced with a difficult task. Consistently pushing himself to do better, Gary made great progress this year, including overcoming difficulties in numeracy and literacy and completing a test paper with no breaks.
1,410 people suppported by our community services
John Lewis Foundation Helps Students ‘inEmployment’
The National Autistic Society estimate that only around 16% of autistic adults are in full time employment. We want to change this. With support from the John Lewis Foundation, Inscape House School embarked on an ambitious project, inEmployment. The project’s goal was to give students the skills, experience and exposure to the world of work. Thanks to the funding, we were able to train 10 of our education assistants as job coaches so they could support 40 students through their work experience placements and as they developed life skills in the classroom. Alongside providing hospitality skills onsite at our student enterprise inCafé, we created partnerships with employers across Greater Manchester. Student placements have included the Hilton, Next, Quarry Bank Mill and Oddfellows on the Park. During this year we were delighted that Inscape House School received the Quality in Careers Standard. The award recognises the commitment to providing excellent careers education and information, advice and guidance.
Marie Young, Work Experience Coordinator and Post-16 Teacher said:
"Work experience is essential to preparing our students for the future. Yes, they will face challenges but we can help them to overcome those barriers. We want them to be able to shine."
Providing the best possible support and outcomes for our foster carers, and the young people they care for, was a huge focus in 2017/18. And we were proud to be recognised for our work in the government’s fostering stocktake. Part of that support includes our annual fostering holiday. This year, Beverley and Casey* joined over 50 foster carers and young people on our annual fostering holiday in Chester. When Casey*, 12, was placed with Together Trust foster carer Beverley* in 2017, things were hectic. Casey has emotional difficulties stemming from her experiences in early life, and had already been through the breakdown of two foster care placements. Despite a few bumps along the way, Casey is thriving. She regularly goes on days out with Together Trust’s support workers, who are helping her to work through her emotions.
Beverley said:
"A lot of what we were doing was completely new to her. She really enjoyed the zoo – getting up close to the animals was a first for her. We’re trying to do all the things she wants to do but hasn’t had the chance to, and it was great for her to mix with other children too."
* Names have been changed to protect the young people
Nurture approach helps students to achieve
Ashcroft School is a specialist provision for children and young people with social, emotional and mental health needs. Many students, such as James, have faced multiple exclusions from school. James would avoid school on days when he was struggling with depression or anxiety. Because of this he was excluded from two mainstream secondary schools and was placed in a pupil referral unit before joining Ashcroft in year 11. For James, Ashcroft was the first secondary school that supported his emotional and mental health needs. From speaking to James and his family, staff at Ashcroft were able to rekindle his interest in guitar. Not only helping with his mental health, music has been the key to unlocking James’ academic potential.
James’ dad Mick said:
"Ashcroft has rekindled his interest to the point where he is expected to obtain a BTEC Distinction. It is not only James’ wellbeing that has been improved by attending Ashcroft; we as parents have received incredible support too. We have finally found somewhere that doesn’t try to make students fit into the regiment of mainstream schooling. We have found a school that treats every student as an individual in a safe, caring environment."
Thanks For Dropping By :)
Find out more about our services
Registered charity number 209782