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COVID-19 Vaccinations

Manchester Programme Manchester’s vaccination programme started in mid-December, with priority given to residents aged 80 and over, care home staff, and NHS staff who are at higher risk. Local NHS and community workers have been working hard to organise this huge logistical challenge. The city now has seven community vaccination sites across the city in addition to the Greater Manchester mass-vaccination site at the Etihad Tennis Centre.    You will be contacted by your GP or the NHS when it is your turn to be vaccinated. You can read here about what happens at your appointment. Arrangements will be made to get the vaccine to people who find it harder to travel, or who are housebound.   Here is some information in different languages (scroll down the page) about how the community vaccination for COVID-19 is being organised in Manchester, with the city’s Director of Public Health Dave Regan answering community questions about the vaccine.

Who Gets It First

This easy read sheet outlines the order of priority for the vaccination. Adults who have Down’s syndrome now come under Priority 4 - see the DSA’s 30 Nov article. Unwaged carers have recently been added to Priority 6. If that applies to you, make sure you are registered with your GP as a carer.

Why Vaccination Is Important Having the vaccine is the best way to protect the most vulnerable people from coronavirus and has the potential to save tens of thousands of lives. It prepares your body to fight off the disease if you are exposed to it. For most people, this stops them getting very unwell. When enough people are vaccinated, we can create herd immunity, which prevents the virus from spreading. Until we have vaccinated the majority of adults, we must all continue to wash our hands regularly, wear a mask or face covering, and maintain social distancing.   Here is some easy read information from Mencap answering some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about COVID-19 vaccination.

Vaccine Safety The COVID-19 vaccine has been through three phases of clinical trials to ensure it meets the highest standards of safety and effectiveness. You can read more here (scroll down).

Scam Alert

You will only be invited directly by your GP or the NHS when it is your turn to be vaccinated. Anyone offering a paid-for vaccine or making a house call to deliver or discuss the vaccine is committing a crime. The NHS will never ask you to press a button on your keypad or send a text to confirm you want the vaccine. You will also never be asked for payment or for your bank details. If you believe you have been the victim of a scam, you should report this directly to Action Fraud. Where the victim is vulnerable, and particularly if you are worried that someone has or might come to your house, report it to the Police online or by calling 101.

Finding What You Need

There has been such a lot of information during the coronavirus crisis – and it keeps coming. That’s why we’re trying out a new way of supporting families. You’re invited to contact Ali on the Local Offer team. Whatever the question, she will do her best to respond in a way that is geared to you and where you live in the city. Email Ali at ali.davenport@manchester.gov.uk or call/text 07971 587963. She usually works all day Monday and Tuesday, and Wednesday morning, and will get in touch as soon as she can.

Home Learning Resources

Last week, we shared the home learning resources in our Local Offer Coronavirus Advice & Information. Here are some more:

Teach Me Too provides on-line learning resources for children with communication delay/special educational needs and have been designed with families in mind. Stage 1 and 2 are being offered for free for any parents/families/professionals. Access to Stage 1 is here. Stage 2 will be launched at the end of January and a Stage 3 is being planned for in the spring.   Two resources for families at home from 3PP Psychologies – 10 More Activities For Home, Even more activities to do at home   Parent/carer Home School Survival Toolkit – Tips around home schooling and taking care of your wellbeing from Healthy Schools Manchester and the Manchester Local Care Organisation.

Sleep Support

Seashell Trust offer free workshops about sleep and children and young adults (2-25yrs) with additional needs. Sessions run throughout the year and are currently being delivered via Zoom:

• Sleep Success - A one day workshop offering an introduction into the behavioural approach to sleep. (22 April, 9.30am-1.30pm)
• Sleep Better - A five week course (one morning per week) giving parents evidence-based strategies as well as group support. (June 14, 21 & 28 June, July 5 & 12, 10am-12 noon)
• Sleep Clinic - A one to one intervention over a five week period, supported by a qualified sleep practitioner. (Please contact for availability)
• Sleep Success for Practitioners - This focuses on contextualising sleep issues and suggesting some strategies which may help. Aimed at practitioners working with families and/or children and young adults with complex needs. (April 19, 9.30am-1.30pm)

These sessions are very popular, so book soon by contacting: outreach@seashelltrust.org.uk.

Sleep Hygiene Tool - This tool is underpinned by a programme theory, which explains how sleep hygiene education works to improve the sleep of children with developmental disabilities.

News In Brief

This video in British Sign Language (BSL) tells people about Manchester City Council’s Community Response Hub. The Hub can help with a range of needs, including delivery of food and medication, and managing fuel top-up payments. There is also a Warm Homes video in BSL, about help with energy bills and energy efficiency this winter.

The Autistic Society of Greater Manchester has recently rebranded as I AM - The charity works with and supports people aged 10 and upwards who have a diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Condition (which can also be called Asperger Syndrome, High Functioning Autism or Autistic Spectrum Disorder) as well as their families, guardians and carers in Greater Manchester. See their website or contact 0161 866 8483, admin@i-am-autism.org.uk – also on Twitter and Facebook.

State of the City Report 2020 - This sets out how Manchester is progressing against the vision and ambitions outlined in the Our Manchester Strategy (2016–25). Read more here.

Laughter Yoga Exercise - In this short Henshaw’s video, Sara Kay from Serious Laughter Yoga demonstrates an exercise that all the family can join in with at home. Laughter exercises create so many benefits inside your body – reducing physical, mental and emotional stress – while being great fun! To find out more about Serious Laughter Yoga and how to book virtual sessions and training, visit the website.

Here is the latest NW SEND Regional Network News.

Creative Wellbeing

Have Your Say

Disabled Children’s Partnership Survey - Parent carers with disabled children under 25 in England are invited to take part in 3-5 short surveys between January and April 2021 around the impact of Covid-19. It’s to give parent carers a stronger voice with government and help influence the levels of support for disabled children in the future. Find out more here.

Are you a young person or parent with experience of having had a social care assessment? Living Assessments, a five-year project, is recruiting for three groups of ‘Experts by Experience’ to be part of the project from Jan 2021 until Dec 2022. Not only will you get the opportunity to have your voice heard as part of a national project but you will also receive a £20 voucher for each session that you attend, skills training, references and support, and access to team building activities and events (to be decided by you!). Find out more on the National Children’s Bureau website.

REMINDER! Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is making changings to buses in GM - Find out more here.   New Plans For Manchester Hospitals - You are invited to comment on exciting new plans to transform hospital sites in North Manchester and Wythenshawe.    Consultations are open until Friday 29th January 2021.

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