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Support For SEND Families |
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There are many organisations, local and national, offering support to SEND families around emotional wellbeing during the pandemic. If you take a look at our Coronavirus Advice & Information webpage, under ‘Emotional & Mental Wellbeing’ and ‘Support From Organisations’, you will see groups and services, as well as resources.
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Contact's Listening Ear
Many parent carers are feeling hugely overwhelmed, confused and exhausted during the Covid-19 crisis. Perhaps the disruption to routines has badly affected your child's behaviour and you are looking for practical advice. Maybe you just need to talk to someone who understands the extra challenges you face and can point you in the right direction to get the family support you need. Contact offers one to one confidential phone appointments with a family support adviser. Visit their Eventbrite booking page to see available appointments and to make a booking.
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Local Helpline & Counselling
Respect For All has a helpline staffed by counsellors to support autistic people, people with learning disabilities, and their parents and carers affected by the coronavirus crisis in Greater Manchester. Call 0161 532 4075 - see here for current times. Respect For All also offers free counselling – see their website for more information.
Anxiety Videos
Two sets of helpful videos have been created by Surrey & Borders Partnership NHS Trust. The first is for people with learning disabilities around coronavirus, and includes ‘Anxiety & Your Body’, ‘Five Things To Do When Feeling Anxious’ and ‘The My Relaxing Place Exercise’. There is also a playlist for carers of people with learning disabilities, with guidance on talking to the person you care for about coronavirus and anxiety.
Easy Read Resources
At this time, it may be harder than usual for people with learning disabilities and/or autism to access face to face support. With this in mind, the Clinical Psychology team in Pennine Care Learning Disability Directorate have developed some easy read online wellbeing resources.
Amber’s 7 Tips
Venture Arts Public Engagement Assistant Amber Okpa-Stother advocates for people with learning disabilities and has written this helpful new blog on wellbeing.
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Anxiety UK - Anxiety UK have Coronanxiety Support and Resources and a Helpline Monday-Friday 03444 775774, 9.30am-5.30pm. They also provide support by text and email, and live chat.
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CALM - The Campaign Against Living Miserably is leading a movement against suicide. 75% of all UK suicides are male and CALM exists to change this. They run a free and confidential helpline and webchat, 7 hours a day, 7 days a week, for anyone who needs to talk about life’s problems. They also support those bereaved by suicide. See the website for more information.
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Domestic Abuse - Support & Advice - Manchester City Council has information on help and support around domestic abuse and what to do if you’re in a situation. If you need to get off the page quickly for any reason, there’s an exit button which takes you to an unrelated website.
Every Mind Matters - The NHS Every Mind Matters has guidance around low mood and depression, mood-boosters, and helpful suggestions for looking after your mental health, including ‘10 tips to help if you are worried about coronavirus’.
Free Family Wellbeing Courses - Manchester Adult Education has free online courses for parents around Confidence Building, Stress Management and Family Wellbeing.
Help Hub - The Help Hub is a group of over 800 qualified therapists and counsellors offering their time to listen and support people during the pandemic. If you would like a free 20 minute chat on Skype, FaceTime or on the telephone, you can book a session through their website.
Living Life To The Full - Living Life To The Full is a suite of free online self-help courses and resources that you can access at home or on the go. It teaches life skills and shares tools to improve wellbeing and resilience. There’s ‘Living Life To The Full’ for low mood and stress in adults, ‘Reclaim Your Life’ for people living with long-term conditions and the ‘Enjoy’ series for soon to be and new parents. You can register and go, pause and repeat elements as many times as you like. The e-books have been translated into a range of languages spoken in Greater Manchester.
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Looking After Your Mental Health - The Mental Health Foundation is part of the national mental health response during the coronavirus outbreak. They have put together some useful resources on how to look after your mental health during the pandemic. It includes loneliness, acts of kindness, nurturing relationships, and celebrating festivals.
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Manchester Mental Health 24/7 Helpline - Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust's helpline for their service users and carers is open 24/7 and can be called free of charge any time, day or night – 0800 953 0285.
Manchester Self Help Services - Manchester’s Self Help Services (part of Big Life Group) provide free therapeutic support for anxiety and low mood to the whole of Manchester and work with people over the phone and through video calls. You can be referred or self-refer. You can also email pws.manchester@selfhelpservices.org.uk or call 0161 226 3871. Online and email referral is advised at this time. If their service isn’t right for you, they can make onward referrals into other services to make sure you get the right support.
Mental Wellbeing Audio-guides - These NHS Mental Wellbeing audio-guides, include low mood and depression, anxiety control training, sleep problems, and unhelpful thinking.
Mind Listening Service - Manchester Mind’s Listening Service for adults is for anyone over 25 who lives in Manchester and is struggling with their mental health, social isolation, or worries and anxieties. Ring 0161 769 5732 between 10am and 2pm (if phone lines are busy or you call outside of these hours, leave a message and someone will get back to you). You can also email info@manchestermind.org. National Mind has guidance on looking after your wellbeing at this time.
Over 50’s Alcohol Helpline - The charity We Are With You has an over 50s alcohol helpline and webchat service providing support and advice to individuals aged over 50 worried about their drinking and their concerned others. As we get older, alcohol has more of an impact on our health and wellbeing, and changes in our lives – like the pandemic - can lead us to drink more than we used to.
Samaritans - Whatever you’re going through, the Samaritans are there 24 hours a day. Call them free at any time, from any phone on 116 123. They also have advice if you’re worried about your mental health during the coronavirus outbreak.
SilverCloud Free Online Therapy - SilverCloud is open to all Greater Manchester residents. It’s a free, online therapy programme to help with stress, anxiety, low mood and depression. It uses proven methods to help ease stress levels, improve sleep and build resilience.
Sleep Help - Good-quality sleep makes a big difference to how we feel, mentally and physically. You may be finding it harder to get a good night’s sleep at the moment. Resources are available from Public Health England at Every Mind Matters.
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Carers Manchester
Carers Manchester can signpost you to support around emotional wellbeing. They also run courses throughout the year, including meditation and dealing with stress, to provide you with the tools you need to take control of your caring role and offer you the opportunity to meet other carers who have similar experiences. Helpline: 0161 543 8000 (Monday to Friday 10am-4pm, Wednesdays till 6pm, except bank holidays), email: contactpoint@carersmanchester.org.uk, Facebook and Twitter. The team includes advice workers that can provide support in other languages.
Carers Manchester is a partnership which includes 18 organisations who support unwaged carers in the city. You can find out more about each of them on the website. Here is their information on health and wellbeing.
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Support For Parent Carers Over 50
Thrive is part of Talbot House Support Centre and provides support to older parent carers of people with learning disabilities. They offer a range of information, advice and support, including emotional support and befriending. For more information visit their website, email fran.crake@talbot-house.org.uk or call 0161 203 4095 (Monday – Friday 10am – 3pm).
Support From Other Parent Carers
The Manchester Parent Champions are connected to the Manchester Local Offer. They have a Facebook group as a place to support each other and share information. Parent carers in the city of Manchester are encouraged to join - take a look here.
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The Manchester Parent Carer Forum (MPCF) has a website and a Facebook page with helpful information for SEND families in Manchester. Both MPCF and the Champions understand the day to day challenges faced by parent carers, as they are parent carers too. They are there to give you a voice and make sure that parent carer views are heard in the improvement of services.
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Manchester Helpline
Ear For You, a Greater Manchester Service, offers support to any Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) families who are self-isolating, recovering, bereaved, or have family members who need help. Call 07862 279289/07894 126157 or text HELP and someone will get back to you. Open 7 days a week 10am-6pm. See more information on the NESTAC website.
South Asian COVID-19 Wellbeing Support Service
This is a support service provided by a partnership of five community organisations in Manchester. It includes one to one support, befriending, chai and chat and webinars. See this leaflet for more information.
Barnardos Helpline
Barnardos has a COVID-19 helpline for Black and Asian families. It’s called Boloh, which means speak in many languages. The charity is encouraging Black and Asian children, young people and families affected by Covid-19 to speak to them about their worries, problems and stresses during this time. The helpline is open between Monday to Friday 10am-8pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am-3pm - 0800 1512605 – and staff can talk in a range of languages. There is also a webchat facility.
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Carers Manchester can signpost you to a range of organisations if you have recently been bereaved.
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Cruse has some special resources, including ‘Grief & Isolation’ and dealing with funerals at this time.
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Caribbean & African Health Network offers a Bereavement Service for people in Manchester affected by the loss of a loved one to COVID-19.
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Greater Manchester Bereavement Service, 0161 983 0902, Monday to Friday 9am-5pm (except Bank Holidays), Wednesday 9am-8pm or visit their website.
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NHS Bereavement Information offers guidance and advice on dealing with grief and loss.
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Winston’s Wish offers information and guidance on supporting bereaved children and young people during the coronavirus outbreak. There is also this guidance sheet from One Education.
Writer Stephanie Nimmo has created a free audio version of her book ‘Goodbye Daisy’ on You Tube. She hopes it will help children, particularly those with learning disabilities, with their emotions around the death of a loved one at this time.
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 Greater Manchester Youth Network (GMYN) are running a series of online sessions for young people aged 17-20 with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). It’s a chance to meet new people and connect online, share experiences, overcome barriers in accessing services – and have fun! Sessions are every Wednesday over Zoom from 5-6.30pm, from 17th February to 24th March, and will hopefully continue in some form. Young people can go along to sessions as and when they want to. Contact Joseph at GMYM via email joseph.cain@gmyn.co.uk or phone 07592 845246.
Health Action Champions
Greater Manchester Youth Network (GMYN) are looking for young people with experience of social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) difficulties to become Health Action Champions. This new youth leadership and empowerment programme is an opportunity to develop the skills and tools to lead change and improve the health and wellbeing of other young people across Manchester. Training will be provided and there will be opportunities to gain accredited awards and certificates. It will also be a fun and social experience. The programme is open to young people aged 13-17 and 18-25. Get in touch with Anna at GMYN on 07895 710845 or email anna.skatun@gmyn.co.uk.
Mental Health & Autistic Young People
Autism Peer Education from Great Minds Together is a new programme that has been set up to provide free education and support around the mental health needs of autistic young people.
42nd Street - 42nd Street offers online support to young people in Manchester. Check their website for more information on this and updates about the service.
Coping With Coronavirus - The Mental Health Foundation is part of the national mental health response during the coronavirus outbreak. Their resources include a guide for young people on coping with coronavirus.
Creative Activities To Support Mental Wellbeing - The Lowry has launched an activity programme called Creativity for Wellbeing, led by professional artists and workshop practitioners, including crafts, dance and yoga. No experience or skills are required to take part.
Check out Kat Taylor, Art’s Culture & Mental Health Programme Manager’s latest blog filled with ideas and resources for creativity at home.
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There are more creative activities in our Coronavirus Advice & Information page, under ‘Stuff To Do’ and ‘Young People’.
Health For Teens - Health For Teens is a website about health, relationships, feelings, lifestyle and growing up, plus information on services in your area.
Kooth - In response to the current situation, free online counselling is now available for all young people aged 11-18 across Greater Manchester. It’s free, safe and anonymous - find out more at https://kooth.com.
Manchester Mind - Manchester Mind have free services for young people that they have adapted at this time. See their website for information about counselling, advice, their Listening Ear helpline and virtual Wellbeing Café.
Myplace Eco-therapy Sessions - The Myplace project offers free activies for young people in Lancashire, Manchester and north Merseyside, including face to face and virtual nature sessions, Myplace gaming activity and one to one support. They help reduce loneliness, provide connection to nature and to others. Young people aged 16-24 can self-refer online. 12–15 year olds can be referred by organisations and agencies using this form (to the left of the page).
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Papyrus - Papyrus’ HOPELINEUK is for children and young people under the age of 35 who are experiencing thoughts of suicide. It is also for anyone concerned that a young person could be thinking about suicide. The service now has extended hours and is open 9am to midnight every day, including weekends and bank holidays. Call: 0800 068 4141, Text: 07860 039967, Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org.
Stormbreak - Stormbreak have released new mental health videos and activities, with the aim to act as a ‘break’ from the storm and help children be happier and more resilient. Stormbreaks consist of short videos with activities for children to participate in, as well as explainer videos for parents and education staff with more detail.
The Mix - The Mix is a free and confidential multi-channel service for the under 25s. It has lots of tips and information around dealing with the coronavirus crisis.
Young Manchester Hub - The Young Manchester hub has resources for young people and families.
Young Minds - Young Minds has suggestions for what to do if young people are anxious about coronavirus and how they can look after their mental health. Madeleine, 19, shares how the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has affected her mental health as an autistic person.
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COVID-19 Carers Peer Support Group
There is a weekly COVID-19 Carers Peer Support Group set up by Manchester Health and Care Commissioning, Gaddum and the Greater Manchester Neurological Alliance (GMNA). It’s for unwaged carers in Greater Manchester who are recovering from coronavirus or been affected by it and is an opportunity to come together to share experiences and speak to other carers. Meetings are on Mondays, 12.30-1.30pm. Call/text 07702 668169 or email mhcc.engagement@nhs.net for a Zoom invitation. Expenses are available to help you join online or by telephone.
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COVID-19 Recovery Support Group
The Manchester COVID-19 Recovery Peer Support Group is for people who would like to talk to others going through a similar experience. The group meets online every Wednesday evening from 6pm. People can call in or join on a tablet or laptop (expenses provided for data if needed). Please text 07702 668169 with your name or email val.bayliss-brideaux@nhs.net at Manchester Health and Care Commissioning.
Your Covid Recovery
Your COVID Recovery is an NHS website to support recovery from the long-term effects of COVID-19. It includes information from rehabilitation experts about how to manage ongoing symptoms and health needs at home, and signposts to sources of support.
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