Together Trust Archive

Recently, we uncovered the mystery behind the charity’s first logo which was created by Enid Blyton illustrator, Grace Lodge. Discovering this fact prompted the investigation into the illustrations of the charity’s early urban services that graced (excuse the pun) the pages of the early annual reports and charity magazines. An illustration of the early Manchester and Salford Refuges and Homes Some of the above illustrations are the only records we have left of our early buildings. The engraved images are copies of original photographs, some of which still survive in the archive. Looking closely at the only surviving reproduction of the interior of the Mission Hall, the illustrator’s signature, reads ‘LANGTON’. Robert Langton (1825-1900) was a Manchester-based engraver and illustrator from Gravesend, Kent. An Associate of the Manchester Academy of Fine Arts , his most well-known work was The Youth and Childhood of Charles Dickens (1891) which he both authored and illustr...

From 1 February until 24 May 2020 the Together Trust is taking over (a small corner of) The Lowry at Salford Quays! The  150 Artists  exhibition is result of an inspiring project which has seen young people currently supported by the Together Trust delve into the charity's archive to interpret, celebrate, and reflect on the charity and what it means to them, through artwork and other forms of media. The young people who created the content for this exhibition collaborated with 14 artists who were co-commissioned by people supported at our Newbridge service. Funded by Arts Council England, the project has also enabled seven trainee artists to enhance their skills and experience throughout the project. Be sure to check out the amazing artwork, as well as a brief, yet insightful, look into the charity's Manchester and Salford based services of old, at the Circle Bar at  The Lowry , Pier 8, The Quays, Salford, M50 3AZ. Here's a peek at the archive d...

As we hit 2019, the Together Trust once again finds itself on the brink of yet another birthday. This is its last one before the big 150 in January next year. Like many of us, teetering on the edge of a decade, we gaze back in wonder at how quickly the years have passed and what has been achieved in the last decade.  Our earliest photograph taken 1873

The Together Trust is excited to be part of a new online exhibition celebrating the history of the North.  

The Together Trust has been busy over the last few months preparing for its obligations under the new Data Protection Act, 2018 . This is an important piece of legislation affecting everyone, which ensures that the personal data organisations’ hold is kept safe and held legally. Consequently, this blog has taken a back step as we’ve worked to ensure your data is compliant with the new Act. However, now we’re back and we hope you’ll be back with us.  The age of technology

Our project Deep Pockets and Dirty Faces has now come to an end. It has been a fascinating journey through the archives for our young people as they discovered stories about not only the charity’s own history , but also what Manchester was like in the nineteenth century. 

Our admission books are at the very heart of our archive collection. We have many records relating to the administration of the charity: how it was managed; who was in control; what needed doing on a day-to day business; how money was collected and spent. These are hugely important records to show who we were. However, it is the individuals who tell the real story, not only about the charity itself but also about the evolution of childcare and the social conditions that were experienced in each decade of the Together Trust’s history . Orphan Home Admission Book

We came across a newspaper article in the archive the other day, written by an individual who was ‘investigating the results and prospects of juvenile emigration’. Concentrating on those sent to Marchmont Home , the writer visited 50 boys and girls in the area surrounding Belleville over three weeks. Outside Marchmont Home

Our case files that sit at Manchester Archives take up around 11.5 linear meters in space. Each case file, which exist from 1886, contains details of every single child that entered one of the Manchester Refuges’ Homes. These can vary in content for the genealogist searching for details on their ancestor’s past. Some contain only an application form. To many this is the most important find, as it details previous addresses, family members and circumstances leading up to admission. Other files can be bursting at the seams with documents pertaining to that individual’s life.  Envelopes for case files

It is now only a few days until our two HLF performances of Deep Pockets and Dirty Faces. The young people involved have been working hard to create a theatrical extravaganza to entertain and educate the local population about the Together Trust’s past. Orphan's histories

The Archives and Records Association (ARA) Conference is over for another year but as always it created plenty of opportunity for debate and learning. For a charity archivist it was a bit like being the proverbial ‘small fish in a big pond’ as professionals gathered from all sectors, ready to convey new techniques, technologies and ideas to the world of archives. For this small fish it meant an opportunity to discover and rethink methods of how to preserve, make access to and promote our own small collection.  Wembley Stadium

With only a week left to go until our first live performance of our Heritage Lottery Funded Deep Pockets and Dirty Faces , we thought we’d tell a few more stories about the orphans taking centre stage on Tuesday 7th June.  Lily, Sophia, Richard and Joseph

We’ve been playing in the archive again! This time I took two of the Charity’s Design Team to have a look at a few of the treasures within our collection (it was definitely for their benefit and not just because I wanted them to take some lovely photographs for use in this blog!). It also gave me the opportunity to have a closer look at some of our photograph books and select some powerful images not previously seen by the Together Trust. You lucky people will be the first to view these photographs over the next few weeks. John G. ‘posing’ for the camera

I found this photograph within the archive this week. At play at the Central Refuge

  Are you interested in the history of Manchester? Want to know more about the many different organisations who contribute towards our understanding of our historic city? Then you have to be at this year’s Manchester Histories Festival 2012! http://www.manchesterhistoriesfestival.org.uk/whatson/ Following on from its successful event in 2009 the Manchester Histories Festival is gracing our doorstep again with the aims to “both celebrate the familiar and reveal the new and hidden histories from across Greater Manchester” . The festival runs from Friday 24th February to Sunday 4th March 2012 with a whole host of talks, walks and events on subjects that will interest everyone. Highlights include finding out more about your family history, participating in an archaeological dig or getting involved in a football debate. Annual Bazaar, 1930s The main ‘celebration day’ takes part on the 3rd March, largely centred around Manchester’s fabulous town hall. This will be bustl...

One of the lovely things about compiling this blog every week is that it gives me a chance to show you some of the absolute gems the Together Trust holds in its archive. In terms of a charity collection we have a staggering wealth of archival material (even if I do say so myself!), documenting the charity's actions and the people who have been in our care. Our earlier material gives researchers an insight into later Victorian Manchester in terms of charity, philanthropy and attitude towards children. There are few gaps and all of the children who entered any one of our homes or services are documented. Not only were our founders and early committee inspirational in the work they did, they also had the foresight to ensure these records were preserved for future generations… Pamphlets written by committee members advertising the charity

"Foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests but many a little child received there has had no mother’s arms outstretched to receive him, no place to lay his head." This was observed by William Edmondson, Secretary to the Manchester and Salford Boys’ and Girls’ Refuges and Homes, in 1921, when speaking of the charity’s Children Shelter on Chatham Street. The home was opened in 1883 to give shelter to children sleeping on the streets of Manchester. Up until 1920 it received 15,000 children through its doors, taking them out of the cold and into safety.  Children’s Shelter ‘Mother’ receiving a child from a policeman

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.