'The Ever Open Door' exhibition

Helping people in need for over 140 years


Venue: The John Rylands Library,
150 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 3EH
FREE ENTRY
From Monday 4th July 2011 to Saturday 10th December 2011
 
Drawing on its extensive archive as one of the North West region’s founding charities of social care and special education services, the Together Trust marks its 140th anniversary with a major exhibition from its formation as the Manchester and Salford Boys’ and Girls’ Refuges and Homes in 1870 through to the present day.

Historic Reading Room, The John Rylands Library, Deansgate, Manchester

The charity provided an ‘ever open door’ for children and young people, initially giving them an alternative to living on the streets or in the workhouses of Manchester.
The exhibition features oral case histories and was complemented by talks from the charity’s archivist.
 
On 14 July the Together Trust hosted a special event to mark the launch of the exhibition, which runs until December 2011. A number of special guests joined current and former staff and users of the charity’s care and education services for the evening which was arranged with the support of the Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester and Barclays Bank. 

At the open evening event, The John Rylands Library

One of the exhibition cases

Through a collection of photographs, Lego (thank you to everyone who donated Lego!), videos and other memorabilia, visitors can see how the organisation was first established by Victorian philanthropists in response to the vast number of disadvantaged children on Manchester’s streets. Visitors are also able to explore how the charity has developed over the years to become one of the region’s largest voluntary organisations supporting children, young people and adults.

Lego used to compare building use in 1925 with 2011

 
With the support of Resolution DV in Stockport we have also produced a DVD-ROM which charts our achievements from 1870 to 2011. To request a copy please contact Liz Sykes.
 
As well as raising awareness of the Together Trust’s long and proud heritage, the exhibition and DVD-ROM also aims to demonstrate the breadth of services we currently provide. The exhibition also reveals the future of the charity, as David Marriott explains;  
“Not only are we proud of the work we have done to date, but we are also extremely excited about our ideas and projects moving forward. We hope that when visitors come to see our ‘The Ever Open Door’ exhibition, they will see how their support and donations have helped – and will continue to help – improve the quality of life, open up new opportunities and promote confidence and independence for our service users here in the North West.
 
For more information please click here, phone us on 0161 283 4848 or email us.

Historic Reading Room, The John Rylands Library, Deansgate, Manchester