Together Trust Archive

Dear Interested party The charity is now two weeks into its new venture, providing a home for boys in a small building on Quay Street. There are now 16 residents aged 11-16 who enter the refuge each night, have supper, sleep on hammocks, receive breakfast and then leave for the day.  It may be interesting to note the few rules we have established to those who ask for admission: We desire in no case to interfere with the duty of the parent, and therefore consider boys who have parents living in Manchester ineligible, except under very special circumstances. As we propose to help those only who can help themselves, boys who will not do so are not eligible. We were at first reluctant to help boys whom still have parents alive, as it is parents duty to provide for their child. Similarly, we believe boys should understand the importance of contributing to their own wellbeing so we only provide for those who were prepared to work. Despite our strong protestant beliefs, no reference i...

Tomorrow, Saturday 4th January 2020, sees the Together Trust reach the grand old age of 150. The ‘Night Refuge for Homeless Boys’ was opened on the 4th January 1870 at Number 16, Quay Street. On that first night, 10 lads presented themselves for admission:

January 4th saw the Together Trust turn another year older. It has now been 148 years since the charity began on a wintery morning of 1870. The charity has grown exponentially since the small terrace house was opened as a ' Night Refuge for Homeless Boys' . However, the charity’s ethos remains to provide a service to children and families in the local area.  As we are aware the small home was a great success and resulted in the expansion to a large Refuge on Francis Street and the opening of many different services throughout Manchester, Salford and beyond. Of course it was not plain sailing and the early committee members worked hard to make the venture a success. A report in the Manchester Evening News on the 18th April 1870 however, showed how it was difficult to ensure the good behaviour of the boys once they had been found work in the city.  First Home, Quay Street

The 4th January is always a special date in the Together Trust calendar. It signifies another birthday, in this case 146 years since the charity was founded. Of course the charity has changed in those 146 years. It has had to, to allow it to continue caring for young people, as well as families and adults who need our support. But a birthday gives us time to reflect on our past, and appreciate the work carried out before us. So let’s have a look at the very first boy who entered into our home.  First Home on Quay Street

Somehow we find ourselves in 2015. I was reminded yesterday on Twitter (quite ashamedly) that the charity had turned 145 years old. England has changed a great deal in those 145 years but unfortunately not quite enough for the Together Trust to no longer be needed. It seems apt today to have a look at how the Refuge was viewed back in 1870 when it first began and how it fulfilled a need, long felt in Manchester, of providing a home and temporary employment for the destitute lads of the city.  First Home, Quay Street