Celebrating 150 years ……. The Together Trust 1870-2020

The plan was a simple one.

After 150 years of caring for young people the Together Trust would mount a series of events, which described the history of the charity, explored its many and different activities over a century and a half and a look to the future.

The charity had begun in 1870 with the modest aim of providing a bed and a meal for some destitute young people found on the streets of Manchester and Salford.

Within a decade its work had expanded to include girls, maintained a series of homes, and training centres, offered holidays by the seaside, settled some children in Canada, and even operated a scheme to help newly released prisoners.

My involvement in collaboration with Liz Sykes who was the Trust’s archivist was to write the book.*

All was set fair, but things happen which as we all know was Covid, which meant celebrations were put on hold, and were revisited with a mix of virtual events including the traditional December festival.

But for an organization which had started with a handful of volunteers and access to a building which could provide bed and breakfast for just 6 destitute boys, weathered two world wars a Depression and sought a new caring role with the coming of the Welfare State, the Covid lock down was a mere inconvenience. 

And with relaxing of restrictions the charity staged the very successful unveiling of a plaque recording the first night shelter on Quay Street in July of last year.

This was followed up with an event in April at Centra Ref in St Peter’s Square with an exhibition of the Trust’s story which showcased some of the work and achievements of young people.

The event was a success and led to a renewed interest in the book, The Ever Open Door: 150 years of the Together Trust, by Andrew Simpson.*

The book is divided into three sections, which focus on the early work of the charity, describes its changing role as a partner of the agencies that made up the Welfare State, and looks forward to the challenges of the 21st century.

And if you want more on the story of the Trust and the book just follow the link*

So that is it ...... a good night was held by all with some pretty inspiring stories, a rich vein of history and an exciting look into the future.

Location; Manchester

Pictures; 150 Years of the Together Trust’ exhibition! April 27th, 202 Central Ref, courtesy of the Trust, https://www.togethertrust.org.uk/

* The Ever Open Door: 150 years of the Together Trust, Andrew Simpson, The Together Trust, 2020, 140p, £14-99. ISBN 978-1-5272-5671-2. Available from, The Together Trust, https://shop.togethertrust.org.uk/

**A new book on the Together Trust, https://chorltonhistory.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/A%20new%20book%20on%20the%20Together%20Trust