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The Local Offer is all the activities, services, advice and support offered by numerous organisations across the city, for children and young people (0–25 years) who have special educational needs or disabilities. It includes things to do, places to go, rights, health, money, childcare, education, support groups, Short Breaks, and independent living. We’re more than just a website. Find out what we offer in our new flyer, co-produced with Manchester Parent Carer Forum and Manchester Parent Champions.
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Our next virtual drop in is Wednesday 20th October, 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.
After this date, we'll be returning to face to face drop ins. The first will be in North Manchester at Manchester Youth Zone, Harpurhey on Wednesday 17th November, 10am-12 noon.
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As part of the SEND Community Offer, Manchester families can access the Reward and Lifestyle Savings Group. It’s an online hub that has offers and savings in retail, lifestyle and leisure services. Through the mobile-friendly website and app, you can access discounts online and in-store across a wide range of national retailers including Asda, Tesco, Argos and Primark. You can also save on cinema tickets and venues like Alton Towers, Go Ape and SEA LIFE Manchester. Find out how to register.
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Aleiah's Adventure
As part of Manchester Libraries Black History Month, families can watch a free play for children - ‘Aleiah’s Adventure’. It’s about a young deaf black girl who becomes lost after leaving her family to prove her independence, leading her to the discovery of the importance of family values and growing up in your own way. It’s suitable for families with children aged 7-11+ and features integrated accessibility with British Sign Language and Visual Movement throughout. While the play is free, you need to call or drop in to libraries to book as places are limited:
Saturday 9th October, 2pm, North City Library – 0161 227 3780
Monday 25th October, 2pm, Forum Library, Wythenshawe – 0161 227 3770
Tuesday 26th October, 2pm, Manchester Central Library – 0161 234 1983
Saturday 30th October, 2pm, Longsight Library – 0161 227 3706
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New ParaNetball Club
Dominoes Netball Club in Manchester is proud to be hosting the North West’s first Core Inclusive ParaNetball Club in partnership with England Netball. The club takes place on the first Saturday of each month, starting on the 6th November, 10-11am, and will involve netball skills and fun games. The first three sessions are free and organiser Katie Thompson hopes to get further funding - otherwise, it will be around £3/£4 each time. The club is open to girls and boys, as well as siblings, and is at Wright Robinson Sports College, Gorton. While it’s aimed at the under 18’s, it's open to young people up to 25 with additional needs. Please book by emailing dominoesparanetballclub@hotmail.com.
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Carer Meet Ups
Meet other carers for a catch up, a brew and support with Manchester Carers Forum at Burnage Library on Friday 1st October, 5th November and 3rd December, 2-3pm. No need to book, just turn up.
There is also a peer support group in Cheetham Hill on the first Wednesday of the month from 6th October, 10.30am–12.30pm. Contact Miriam for details of the venue and more information on 07903 685 435, miriam@manchestercaresrforum.org.uk.
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GMAC Get-togethers
Dad’s Drop In - Monday 27th September, 7-8.30pm This online drop in with Greater Manchester Autism Consortium is a safe space with like-minded dads to share experiences of raising an autistic child. Book on Eventbrite by 23rd September (this Thursday!).
GMAC Drop in - Tuesday 28th September, 7.30-9pm This online drop in is for parent carers to share experiences of raising an autistic child. Book on Eventbrite by 24th September (Friday).
If you miss these dates, email abigail.gibson@nas.org.uk for future drop ins.
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Carers Manchester Events
Carers Manchester are on a Roadshow in the north of the city at the Lakeside Café, Boggart Hole Clough,Thursday 23rd September, 10am-2pm. Find out what local services are available and talk to staff about your needs as a carer.
See more on their events page, as well as their next ‘Being A Carer’ course on Tuesday 12th October.
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Tech News
Are you or do you look after someone who is need of internet access at home? Are you or they a Manchester resident and aged 18 or over? If so, tell Manchester City Council’s digital inclusion service and they will call you back to see if you are eligible for a free Chromebook or tablet with six months internet connection. Text or email your details, including the area of Manchester where you live, and saying you are a carer to digitalinclusion@manchester.gov.uk, 07860 064 128.
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A new ‘Passenger Assistance’ app makes it easier and quicker for disabled people to ask for assistance with their train journeys. It’s been designed to speed up the booking process for customers and provide frontline staff with real-time information on passengers' requirements.
Guide Dogs have a new pilot scheme - Tech for All. For a limited time, they are offering iPads to children with a vision impairment aged 3-18, while secondary school-age children can choose an iPhone as an alternative. The devices are free of charge, with the only requirement being proof of vision impairment. Find out more about the service and how to apply.
Sleep Support
The Seashell Trust offers a free sleep support service for families. See their events page for forthcoming dates for Sleep Success and Sleep Better online courses. Contact outreach@seashelltrust.org.uk to book and for more information.
Warm Home Discount Scheme
The Warm Home discount scheme opens on 18th October. If you are on a low income, you could get £140 off your electricity bill for winter 2021 to 2022 between October and March.
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Autism Courses
Sensory needs Online Webinar for families of children with Autism, Thursday 14th October, 10-11.30am - This Zoom webinar is a follow up for parent carers who have watched the Sensory Needs Seminar on the Greater Manchester Autism Consortium website. Please book.
GMAC Managing Anger Parent Webinar, Thursday 21st October, 7.30-9pm - This Zoom session is for parent carers who have watched the online seminar. It takes a deeper look and allows for questions. Please book.
Kidz To Adultz
Kidz to Adultz North returns on Wednesday 17th November in a new venue at Liverpool. This free exhibition is for carers, parents, professionals and all those who support children and young adults with disabilities and additional needs. Children welcome. In the meantime, take a look at Disabled Living’s relaunched Supplier Directory. They have products and services listed, reviewed and rated so you can easily find trusted suppliers.
Covid Updates
If you are a parent of a clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV) child, you should have received a letter by now advising they no longer need to shield. More information from the Council For Disabled Children.
Children aged 12-15 are now eligible for one dose of a Pfizer vaccine. The NHS is working with the school immunisation teams to deliver this programme. Invitations for the first dose of Pfizer-BioNTech will be sent to parents for consent. More in this BBC article.
The NHS is rolling out a booster vaccine programme this winter, giving those aged over 50 extra protection. It also includes unpaid carers, people living in care homes, front line health and social workers, those aged 16-49 with underlying health conditions that put them at higher risk and adult household contacts of immunosuppressed individuals. See this government information.
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The Department for Education has published updated guidance on actions for schools during the coronavirus outbreak. The Council for Disabled Children has more information.
The Government has discarded plans for Covid passports, where visitors would have to show proof of vaccination for venues such as nightclubs and large events. They could be introduced at a later date if the data supports it.
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Breakthrough UK have a new project supporting disabled people to reconnect with their communities and health services following Covid. It’s for over 18s living in Manchester who consider themselves to be disabled. The project offers one to one support to help with things like travel training, becoming more confident with technology, attending social activities and connecting with support services. Young people can be referred or self-refer. More information on Breakthrough's website and in this leaflet that has live links.
A year-long project from Archives+ and Manchester Libraries gives the city’s 11-25 year olds a chance to create a record of their life during lockdown. ‘On This Day Last Year’ is aimed at children and young people with additional needs, care leavers, children in care, young carers and home educated young people. Everyone taking part receives a free art pack and meets in small groups for one or two sessions - online or in person. The workshops give young people the opportunity to voice their feelings about their experience during lockdown, including what they have missed, new routines they have formed, and what could help them in going forward. They will express these feelings through a creative piece of their choice, whether artwork, poetry, creative writing or photography, and these will be displayed in Archives+. Email siobhan.o'connor@manchester.gov.uk.
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