Together Trust Archive

Looking back at our long history it seems strange to think of a time when the charity would only provide for boys. However for the first eight years of its existence, the Refuge did not take in girls. It wasn’t until 1878, with the opening of a detached house on Broughton Lane, that girls were provided for, for the first time. As more and more boys applied to the Refuge, those that investigated their circumstances were frequently coming across girls that needed aid. Rosen Hallas, George Street

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

"A refuge for the destitute lads of the city has been opened in Quay Street, under the care of Mr WF Brown, who has had considerable experience of the management of similar institutions in London. Forty inmates have taken advantage of the home, of whom twenty-four belong to a shoeblack brigade, six to a newspaper brigade, two are messengers, five are in situations, and three are employed in the refuge. The lads are charged one penny for their breakfast, one penny for supper, one penny for bed, and threepence for dinner." - Manchester Evening News, (22 February 1870) This is the first known reference to the Charity in the local newspapers. At the time it was the main source of news to the community and was integral to the promotion of any organisation. The Refuge regularly used the newspapers to fundraise and promote its work.  Advert for funds

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

With the excitement of the London Olympics and Euro 2012 , the summer has been filled with sporting achievement. There’s not really been time to sit back and relax however, as barely a week after the closing ceremony of the Olympics the football season kicked off again. As one friend commented "We now have something to live for again".  The nation’s sport frustrates and thrills in equals measure.  Football at the Summer Camp, c.1920s

One of our more popular blogs entries on this website appears to be the story of William (14th February 2012). This was a boy of thirteen who was emigrated across to Canada and wrote back to the Refuge requesting for news of Nellie, a girl he fell in love with whilst in Styal Cottage Homes . As our audience seem to have a soft spot for all things romantic I thought I’d delve back into the archive and see what other stories of love could be found. From 1872 until the beginning of World War I various children were emigrated across to Canada from Manchester. From the Marchmont Receiving Home they were then placed out with various farmers (and in some cases, clergymen) in the district. Indenture, 1890s

“We are again in the midst of summer joys and sunshine, and to many of your readers it will mean happy times in the fields and woods, or by the cool seashore. But to hundreds pent up in the great city it will mean weariness and wasting. Dirt and squalor are bad enough in the winter, but sunshine and beauty of summer seem to exaggerate these miseries.” - Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser (May 1888). In the dreariness of our so-called summer in Manchester this year, the above quote may seem a little mocking, but so read an article in a local newspaper in 1888 calling for funds to send a ‘sick and pale-faced child’ to the Seaside Home at Lytham . Seaside Home, Lytham

We’re heading back across the seas today to sunny Canada, simply because I’d like to relate to you some of the letters sent back to the Refuge by the children who went to live in Ontario. Within the Together Trust emigration collection there are many of these letters which give us an insight as to what life was like in Canada in the late 19th and early 20th century. Marchmont Receiving House, Belleville, Ontario

I’ve been attempting to do some indexing recently of our very first admission book. The archive collection for the Manchester and Salford Boys’ and Girls’ Refuges and Homes is extensive. Every child that was resident in any of our permanent homes have been recorded in varying amounts of detail. From 1886 case files were compiled on each admitted child, which comprised of material such as admittance forms, investigation forms, declaration forms and letters. All of these case files have already been indexed. Before this however the children were recorded in our admission books giving details such as age, parents names, previous address and circumstances leading up to admittance. First admission book

As a result of our recent Cheadle Festival the Together Trust raised a well-earned £14,000 . These are vital funds towards the charity’s services providing much needed holidays, equipment and activities for the children, young people and adults we serve. Simplyhealth team - winners of It's a Knockout round one

The Together Trust Cheadle Festival on Saturday was a huge success and to our great delight it (largely) stayed dry. As always much food was eaten, fun had on giant soapy inflatables and music filled the air (see some photos here from the day). Of course most of the success of the day was down to the hard working staff and volunteers that gave up their time to ensure the day went ahead as planned. As a charity the Together Trust relies on its volunteers. Whether this is through fundraising or participating in activities with the young people in our care, they are vital part of the organisation. Volunteers at our Cheadle Festival, 2012

We have fingers crossed for sun on Saturday as the Together Trust celebrates its 91st Cheadle Festival here on our site at Schools Hill, Cheadle. The family fun day is the social highlight of the year for the charity, as it lets service users, staff and the local community all come together, as well as raising much needed funds. It also allows us to promote the work we do within the area and a fun time can be had by all. Partakers in ‘It’s a Knockout’ at the Cheadle Festival 2011