You chose St Christopher's Trust as our new nominated charity to support through sales of the Chronicle in the coming months - but how much do you know about what they do?

St Christopher’s Trust began as a school for children with learning disabilities in 1954. Since then, it’s continued to show the utmost support and care for those living with learning difficulties in the High Peak by maximising ability and minimising disability.

A spokesperson for the charity said: “We have been supporting people with learning disabilities for over 60 years and are thrilled to have won. On behalf of SCT we would like to thank everyone who voted for us, it means so much to each and every one of us. 

“The Trust appreciates your support and is very grateful to everyone who took the time to vote and take a look at what we do. 

“We would also like to thank Glossop Chronicle for the opportunity to be nominated, it is such a kind and inspirational idea that you offer to all the charities within the area. 

“Our clients will choose how they want to spend the donation and it will go towards a number of different projects they have in place, from afternoon teas, garden accessories, sensory gifts and one-to-one support care. The last 18 months have been challenging for us all, however this has put a huge smile on all our faces.”   

The Trust has a residential home in Redcourt on Hollincross Lane in Glossop, but also provides services to adults in their own homes.

Redcourt currently accommodates and caters for 14 residents. Each resident has a personalised bedroom and access to communal lounges and dining rooms. Outside, they can enjoy landscaped gardens, woodland and natural habitats.

Every chance for celebration and creativity is had at Redcourt, with parties and crafts for Easter, St Patrick’s and Valentine’s Day.

In the Glossop area, the Trust owns a number of other houses and bungalows, which are used to offer supported tenancies to adults with learning disabilities.

Those that engage the service, but aren’t residential, benefit from the support of the Trust to live independently, involve themselves in the community and achieve their ambitions. Whether that’s gaining employment or travelling the globe, St Christopher’s encourages adults to dream big.

St Christopher’s Trust prides itself on providing dignity in care and has been recognised by Derbyshire County Council and Tameside and Glossop NHS. 

In their annual inspection from the Care Quality Commission, the Trust never fails to receive praise and has earned a five-star excellence in food hygiene.

To show their commitment to the safety of their users, the Trust has established a consultancy health group. Through regular reviews, they can ensure the health, behavioural, emotional and social well-being of those in their care.

Staff also undertake comprehensive training, including in Dementia and Epilepsy care, so that they can look after users long-term or respond to deteriorating health problems.

Raising money for their life-changing services can be challenging, but the Trust makes every effort to fundraise. 

Before the pandemic, coffee mornings were held in Bradbury Community House, with the entrance fee going toward St Christopher’s.

They also created the Silver Smarties Fundraiser, where the Trust gave away free tubes of Smarties, in return asking people to fill them up with coins and bring them back. 

Larger fundraisers have taken place over the years, such as an Autumn Ball at Glossop Cricket Club, but St Christopher’s is always looking for more people to donate or host fundraising events.

What's the Charity Edition of the Chronicle? 

In the months ahead, every 20p from each copy of the Glossop Chronicle that is sold will be donated to St Christopher's Trust.

Our very first charity editions of the Tameside Reporter and Glossop Chronicle was launched last September as we endeavour to help those who need it the most in what have been extraordinarily difficult times - and not least for charities.

The first local charity we raised money for was Finding Rainbows and the total amount to be donated to the baby bereavement charity was £3,044.

Since then we have also been raising money for Our Kids Eyes (through sales of the Tameside Reporter) and Glossop Mountain Rescue (through weekly sales of the Glossop Chronicle). 

The pandemic has hit all charities incredibly hard - they have been unable to organise and stage any of the usual fundraisers they rely on each year and which guarantee their futures and the vital work they undertake. For larger charities the cost has literally been measured in millions of pounds of lost fundraising and revenue. 

But for smaller causes without the reserves and resources to fall back upon, the consequences have been even more catastrophic.

Many came up with ingenious online money-raising ideas, but they still continue to struggle.

Our communities have literally been amazing at rallying round to help and support each other throughout the pandemic. 

We aim to continue to play our part to help our local charities right here in Tameside and Glossop.

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