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In a recent newsletter, we shared organisations with coronavirus information, like Mencap and the RNIB. Here are some more:

Council For Disabled Children – EHC Update & FAQ

The CDC is a great source of trusted information. They have a monthly newsletter – here’s May’s edition. This includes the latest news on temporary changes to the law relating to Education, Health and Care Needs (EHC) assessments and plans and frequently asked questions (FAQ) on SEND support during the coronavirus pandemic.

Here is their help and resources page for parents. You can sign up for their newsletters towards the end of the page.

Books Beyond Words Wordless storybooks to download for free from Books Beyond Words. Includes ‘Good days and bad days in lockdown’ and ‘When someone dies from coronavirus’.

ChatterPack – Free SEND Resources

ChatterPack is a voluntary-run, special educational needs and disabilities hub. See their free speech and language, OT, and many other SEND resources for families and schools.

Complex Care In Lockdown

Simple Stuff Works have Complex Care in Lockdown You Tube videos, including Keeping Active, Simple Positioning, and Supported Lying.

Deaf Awareness Week Resources

It’s Deaf Awareness Week – 4^th to 10^th May. Twinkl has a free, downloadable Deaf Awareness Home Learning Resource Pack.

Disabled Living

Disabled Living can offer advice about products and equipment at this challenging time. Look to the right of their homepage to sign up to receive their newsletter, which includes information about their virtual Kidz to Adultz exhibitions.

Scope Resources

Scope have lots of COVID-19 advice around work, money, getting food, medicine and essentials, and cerebral palsy and coronavirus. (Helpful tip: When you click on a category, it doesn’t take you to an information page straight away. You get a list of topics that you need to select from.)

Stuck Inside – Free Book To Support Children  Stuck Inside is a new illustrated book by Dan and Kathryn Allman about COVID-19. It’s been written and illustrated with children in mind, to help them understand what is going on and why it’s important to stay indoors. The book is available to download as a PDF or as a free eBook.

Visual Impairment – Resources For Families

A specialist in the education of children and young people with visual impairment has pulled together some useful resources on her website, including relaxation, wellbeing and Facebook groups.

Stuff To Do

Bike Loans – Trikes Available Simply Cycling, who provide all ability cycling at Wythenshawe Park, have been loaning out bikes during lockdown. They have a few trikes available that they can deliver to the family home. You need to be able to keep the bike for the length of lockdown in safe storage. Donations welcome at the end of the loan. For more information, contact Sue Blaylock, 07753 428937, sueblaylock2708@aol.com, or through the website and Facebook.

Creative Challenge for Young People

On Monday, Manchester Libraries launched Express Yourself. It’s a ten-week online programme of arts challenges for young people, including sketching, writing, beat-making, and dance. Challenges will go live online every Monday until 6th July, and can also be explored on social media using the hashtag #CreativeSpacesMcr. Find out more at creativespacesmcr.com.

Dance Classes From Flamingo Chicks

Flamingo Chicks are offering free inclusive dance classes. This includes a space-themed dance, Cinderella & Chemistry, and a relaxation session for parents and carers.

Libraries Children & Families Newsletter

A weekly bulletin full of ideas and resources from Manchester Libraries. Sign up here.

Sensory Stories & Attention Autism Activity

Riverside School in Kent has free Sensory Stories and Attention Autism Activity videos.

NHS Bereavement Helpline

Stay Connected Through COVID-19

Have Your Say

Opportunity For Young People

The Council for Disabled Children (CDC) are looking for disabled young people and young people with special educational needs aged 12 – 25 years old to be part of their young people’s advisory group FLARE.

FLARE represents the views and voices of young people with special educational needs and disabilities all over England. The group can’t meet as usual but are looking for new members now and will be resuming face to face meetings later on in the year in London. Find out more here. Applications open until May 31st.

Your Experiences Of The Pandemic The Greater Manchester Disability Panel is doing a survey to find out what issues disabled people, including children, face during the Covid-19/Coronavirus Pandemic. It will be used to inform GM services how to meet those support needs.   Here are links to the survey and the easy version. Closing date: 11th May 2020.