SEASHELL TRUST STUDENTS BURY TREASURE

A special school and college have buried a treasure trove of memories to be discovered by future students.

The current students at Seashell Trust have buried time capsules under new buildings to show what life was like at the charity for disabled young people in 2014.

The trust, on Stanley Road in Cheadle Hulme, is building 17 houses for its residential students.

Seashell Trust runs the Royal School and College Manchester for children and young people with complex disabilities and communication disorders.

Left: From left Frank Donaldson, project manager Whitfield & Brown; Sofia Gawlyk, student at Royal School; Donna Sinclair, learning support assistant; Emma Toner, student at Royal College; Sara Asif, student at Royal School; Anna Davenport, learning support assistant; Ellen Hagi-Savva, student at Royal College; and Alan Pritchard, site supervisor at Whitfield & Brown

They filled the capsules with award certificates, records of achievements, current bands, photographs of themselves and staff who support them, and present day communication aids such as PECS (picture exchange communication systems) commonly used for children with autism.

Claire Bennett, from Seashell Trust, said:

“I was approached by the contractor Whitfield and Brown and asked if we would like to bury capsules under the flooring of the new residential houses. I knew our students would be keen to become involved. Each capsule was filled with lovely photos of our students and their achievements, timetables, and a DVD starring some of the students. I’m sure the capsules will prove a great find in years to come.”

Stuart Kay, construction director, said

“Whitfield & Brown are very privileged to be working with Seashell Trust on such an exciting project knowing the benefits the new accommodation will bring to the students. We are proud to help the children and young people create and bury a time capsule for future generations to open.”

The first nine homes are expected to be completed this October and the capsules will not be accessible until those houses are demolished.

Pic cap: From left Frank Donaldson, project manager Whitfield & Brown; Sofia Gawlyk, student at Royal School; Donna Sinclair, learning support assistant; Emma Toner, student at Royal College; Sara Asif, student at Royal School; Anna Davenport, learning support assistant; Ellen Hagi-Savva, student at Royal College; and Alan Pritchard, site supervisor at Whitfield & Brown