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Our September Virtual Drop In |
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For the moment, we’re still keeping our parent carer drop ins virtual. The next one is Wednesday 15th September, 10am-12 noon. As usual, we’ll be sending out a list of who’s taking part a few days before. Look out for it in your inbox! (If you’re not subscribed to our newsletters, email ali.davenport@manchester.gov.uk to be added to the list.)
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Our SEND Summer Community Offer
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We’d like to say a BIG THANK YOU to everyone who made our summer offer so brilliant this year. There was crafts and music-making, storytelling and theatre, outdoor play, gardening, cycling, boating, watersports and more – and all for free! A special thank you to Manchester Parent Carer Forum (MPCF) and the Manchester Parent Champions for sharing their ideas and co-producing the programme with us and Young Manchester. Thanks also to the Parent Champions who welcomed families at activities – we know it made a difference!
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We’d love to hear from you!
It’d be great to get your feedback and see your photos. Which activities did you most enjoy and why? Do you have any tweaks or suggestions so we can make it even better next time? Contact ali.davenport@manchester.gov.uk, 07971 587963.
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Childcare - Your Experience |
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Manchester City Council would like to know about your experience of childcare in the city. The 5 minute survey asks you about the type of childcare you are using (eg. childminder, afterschool club), what’s important to you, and what you know about funding schemes to help with the costs. Even if you don’t use childcare, the Council would like to hear from you and your reasons why. The survey will help to inform the childcare strategy and is an opportunity to raise issues relating to children with SEND. There are two surveys - for children aged 0-5 and for children aged 5 years and above.
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Free Mindfulness Opportunity |
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Mindfulness meditations and simple daily practices help us to pay more attention to our thoughts, our feelings, and the world around us in ways that can help us to live better with difficulties and enjoy life more. Disabled Living is working in partnership with Breathworks to deliver Take Back Your Life, a mindfulness course. It’s for anyone living in the Manchester City Council area experiencing stress, anxiety, chronic pain or disability. If they get enough interest, they’ll offer a course especially for parent/carers. Email info@breathworks.co.uk or call 0161 834 1100, asking for Karen or Colin, saying that that you are a parent carer or involved in the care of a child or young person.
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Open Doors At The Gallery
Open Doors at Manchester Art Gallery is a series of creative workshops especially for autistic children and those with other social communication needs, their families and carers. You can get hands on with a variety of making activities, explore the art gallery or just spend time together in the new children’s space, The Lion’s Den, or quiet room. Book via Eventbrite for the sessions on Saturday 11th September and Tuesday 26th October, arriving anytime between 10-11.30 am – the sessions finish at 12pm. This helpful video about Open Doors shares a few changes that have been made to the art gallery so you are prepared when you visit. Future dates: Saturday 27th November, Saturday 8th January, Tuesday 22nd February, Saturday 19th March and Tuesday 12th April.
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Manchester Museum is now closed for refurbishment until late 2022 but all their collections are available online at mmfromhome.com. There are plenty of other museums and galleries in Manchester to explore - go to Loads To Do, the one-stop shop to find out what culture, leisure and sports activities are in the city and near you.
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Wheelchair Basketball Taster
The Giants Mavericks have two free wheelchair basketball taster sessions in September, open to children and adults from 6 years upwards. Basketball wheelchairs are provided and you can get involved or watch. The sessions are at the National Basketball Performance Centre in Longsight and 2-4pm each time. Register by clicking on the dates: Sunday 5th September, Sunday 12th September.
Drama At The Powerhouse
From Monday 13th September, Odd Arts are running ‘Drama Drop’ & ‘Social Action’ sessions at Moss Side Powerhouse. Sign up by emailing yasmin@oddarts.co.uk. If a young person has additional needs, let Yasmin know and they will be supported to take part and have fun.
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Being a Carer, Tuesday 14th September, 10am-12 noon - Carers Manchester is running a free online workshop to highlight the support available for carers, as well as exploring self-care and well-being. The session is run by carers and is an opportunity to meet other carers and share experiences. Register for the event here. For more information about Carers Manchester courses, call the learning team on 0161 834 6069 or visit their events page.
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Manchester Carers next virtual Carers Coffee Morning takes place on Zoom on 9th September 10.30am-12pm. This session is a chance to explore your creative side with some fun and interactive activities. See the poster here and join by emailing admin@manchestercarers.org.uk or call 0161 27 27 270.
A few weeks ago, Andy Smith and his charity Spectrum Gaming featured on ITV News. Andy, an autistic 24-year-old from Bury, created the online community for autistic children to play games, socialise, make friends, be proud of who they are, and have their voices heard. Watch the report.
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As part of the city’s COVID recovery planning, 2022 will be the ‘Year of the Child’. It’s a year to celebrate and further support children and young people in Manchester. The Council is asking children and young people what they want to achieve, what is great about growing up in Manchester and what could be better. Share ideas in this survey. Closing date: Thursday 30th September.
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COVID-19 Updates
Vulnerable children aged 12-15 who are eligible for a COVID vaccine should have received an invitation for their first appointment by now. Contact, the charity for families with disabled children, has lots of useful information on their website if you have not yet received an invitation, as well details on eligibility.
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Everyone over the age of 16 can now get the COVID-19 vaccine. 16 and 17 year olds will be invited by their GP for vaccination or can attend any of the vaccination pop up sites in the city.
As we get back to doing the things we love, you may be asked to show an NHS COVID Pass. This includes your vaccination details or recent COVID test results. Find out more about this and where to get your pass on the NHS website.
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