Our partners: Seashell Trust

Bruntwood has been proud to support Seashell Trust for over fifteen years. Dedicated to providing a creative, happy and secure environment for young people between the ages of two to 25, the Seashell Trust works with individuals with complex and severe learning disabilities. 

Seashell Trust was formed in the early 1800s when Robert Philips and William Bateman founded the original charity to aid learning for deaf children. After a few years, demand grew leading to the need for a purpose-built school.

Fast-forward to present day, and the Seashell Trust is now home to the Royal School Manchester and the Royal College Manchester, offering day placements, residential and short break packages. These independent specialist further education institutions tailor their programmes to meet the diverse needs of its students through the use of varying communications methods.

At Bruntwood, we believe in forming long-term partnerships with charities that are aligned with our own company values. We want to encourage a proactive and personal approach to community health and reducing health inequalities, and by partnering with local organisations like Seashell Trust, we are able to do just this.

Bruntwood colleagues regularly help out with events such as toy sales, bonfire events, grounds maintenance and CADs (children’s able and disabled) sports days; many of which wouldn’t be possible without the support of volunteers. Our support includes managing the activities, supporting the groups of young people and encouraging the less confident to take part.

In addition to giving our time to help with events we have also supported the charity financially through the Oglesby Charitable Trust. In 2015, the Trust donated £500,000 to the Seashell Trust as part of a multi-million pound Transforming Lives appeal to build homes for 68 children.

“Seashell Trust is proud to have had the support of Bruntwood over a number of years. Teams of regular committed volunteers help to keep our campus looking its best. The Oglesby Charitable Trust is transforming the lives of some of society’s most vulnerable children, having funded one of seventeen state-of-the-art children’s homes on site - appropriately named Oglesby House,” says Dominic Tinner, Head of Fundraising and Community Development.

Chairman of The Oglesby Charitable Trust, Michael Oglesby said: “A visit to the Seashell Trust is a deep emotional experience the like of which one does not get from any other charity, and the work undertaken is truly inspiring. The new houses that have been built for the young people are of outstanding design and quality as befits young people with some of the most challenging needs in our community.”

To find out more about the Seashell Trust, visit their website.