What is in a name?

“It caused us a great deal of distress to give up the name by which we had been known for ninety years, but time does bring change and change has had to be gone through.”

- Anonymous, A Potted History of the BGWS (c.1977).

Since the charity’s beginnings in 1870 it has been known under three different names. All chosen to reflect the work carried out by the organisation, they also reveal how the charity has changed. So what is in a name?

 

(1870 to 1960) Manchester and Salford Boys’ and Girls’ Refuges and Homes

When the charity first began in 1870 the home located on Quay Street was simply known as the ‘Night Refuge for Homeless Boys’. As the charity developed however, and more services were added, (including a home for girls) it soon became known as the Manchester and Salford Boys’ and Girls’ Refuges and Homes and Children’s Aid Society. For obvious reasons this was shortened by many to the Boys’ and Girls’ Refuges. And by this it remained for ninety years.

(1960 to 2005) Boys’ and Girls’ Welfare Society

By 1960 it had soon become apparent that the name Boys’ and Girls’ Refuges no longer reflected the charity’s work. For a start the organisation was no longer resident solely in the Manchester and Salford area. Nearly all of the buildings in the city centre had been sold and children were been cared for from many different authorities. There was also confusion regarding the work the Refuge did with other similar sounding organisations. These had being set up to help refugees that were entering the country due to the various international tragedies at the time.

The charity wanted to reflect the work now carried out as well keep something of the old name. Thus the Boys’ and Girls’ Welfare Society was born on the 21st June 1960. To many in the local area the name Boys’ and Girls’ Welfare Society is still widely recognised today. The name changed at the same time that the Bethesda service moved over to the Cheadle site and the two went hand in hand. Circumstances however, dictated that further changes needed to be made in the 21st Century.

(2005 to present) Together Trust

On the 3rd October 2005 the charity changed its name to the Together Trust. As services adapted to meet the changing needs of the community and local authorities the charity’s previous name no longer reflected the new work being carried out. An increase in community services had meant the charity was now working closely with vulnerable adults, not just children.

At the Together Trust we believe everybody deserves an equal chance in life. There are no exceptions.