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Local Offer Roadshow - NEW! |
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We're trying something new - the Manchester Local Offer Roadshow! The first of these is tomorrow at Newton Heath Library, Friday 26th November, 10am-12 noon. Team member Ali and one or two parent carers will be on hand to share information about the Local Offer and signpost you to support. If you are interested in bringing the Roadshow to your area, please email Ali at ali.davenport@manchester.gov.uk or call 07971 587963. Supported by Manchester Parent Champions and Manchester Parent Carer Forum.
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Festive Activities With Manchester Libraries
Tree Festival in Miles Platting & Newton Heath
This is the time of year to celebrate the love we have for our local leafy friends - trees! Join these art sessions to make colourful decorations for your favourite neighbourhood tree for the National Tree Dressing Day on 1st December. Suitable for all ages. Miles Platting Library, Saturday 27th November, 10-11am; Newton Heath Library, Saturday 27th, 2-5pm and Monday 29th November, 2-8pm.
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Christmas Tree Traditions
At Manchester Central Library on Saturday 4th December, 2-4pm, seven community Christmas trees are going to be decorated at in a range of traditional styles. Join Manchester communities as they share their traditional Christmas crafts and have a go at creating your own. Free drop-in, suitable for families.
Christmas Extravaganza
The whole family is invited to join Central Library’s free Christmas celebrations on Saturday 11th December, 10-4pm! There’ll be choirs singing songs, Christmas crafts for children, and mulled wine, hot chocolate and festive treats to warm you up in the cafe. The big man himself may also put in an appearance!
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Check out Manchester Libraries Children & Families November newsletter for more activities in the run up to Christmas.
There is also Loads To Do for events in the city and your area.
Open Doors At Manchester Art Gallery
Open Doors is a series of creative sessions at Manchester Art Gallery, especially for autistic children, their families and carers. Each month you can get hands on with a variety of making activities and explore the art gallery. Please book via Eventbrite; only one ticket needed for each family. The next session is Saturday 27th November. Arrive anytime between 10-11.30am, the session finishes at 12 noon. More information on the Gallery website. Any questions, contact katymccall@manchester.gov.uk or ring the main desk 0161 235 8888, leaving your name and number. Future dates: Saturday 8th January, Tuesday 22nd February, Saturday 19th March and Tuesday 12th April.
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Introducing Autastic
Autastic is a charity for disabled young people under 18 in the Manchester and Stockport areas. It's a place where young people can be themselves without being judged and develop their life skills in a safe environment. Although Gorton-based, they offer telephone support for parents and carers to discuss issues with EHCP's and DLA. They also offer one-to-ones via zoom for young people to have a place to talk and chat with someone who understands their needs. The charity runs an accessible dance session on the first Sunday of every month at Gorton Community Centre - £2 optional donation. To book and for further information, contact Hayley Peters at theautasticcharity@gmail.com. You'll find Autastic on Twitter and Facebook.
AFRUCA Family Support Service
AFRUCA promotes the well-being and protection of children in Black and Minority Ethnic communities. They provide support to parents with children age 11+ who may be at risk of county lines child trafficking or criminal exploitation. The contact in Manchester is Janete Seide, 0161 205 9274, 07547 139195, janete@afruca.org. This work is being funded through Manchester City Council.
Any child can be at risk of criminal exploitation by a county lines gang but there are some factors that make this more likely, including having a learning disability. If you would like to know more, see the Children’s Society website which includes a guide for parents worried that their child is being exploited. There is also information from NSPCC Learning.
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If you would like to share your group or service in the Local Offer newsletter, get in touch with ali.davenport@manchester.gov.uk.
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Winter In Manchester
Manchester City Council has a winter webpage, including details of Covid and flu vaccines, help with fuel bills, and more. There’s an accompanying video in British Sign Language with winter wellbeing advice.
The free Manchester COVID-19 Helpline is available seven days a week from 9am-5pm. Call 0800 840 3858 for help with Covid questions, booking vaccinations, help to book testing and questions about when to self-isolate. Advice is from a nursing team, with a translation service available. Here is an easy read pdf of this information and a video in British Sign Language.
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Warm Homes - Free Family Support
Warm Homes is a free family support service for families with disabled children under 19 in the North West, the East Midlands and West Midlands. The offer includes Home Energy and Family Needs assessments, funding for essential appliances and household items, and referrals to specialist organisations and agencies. Families can self-refer by going to the Caudwell Children Warm Homes webpage, emailing familyservices@caudwellchildren.com or calling 0345 300 1348.
See the ‘Household’ section of our SEND Information Hub for other places to get energy advice, including what to do if your supplier goes bust.
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There is still time for young carers in Manchester to be part of a special music video raising awareness of hidden young carers and how we can all support them. The video will end with a photographic tile sequence, a little bit like the one at the end of the film Love Actually (pictured). To take part, take a photograph of your young carer, either alone or with their loved one, then complete this consent form, sending it with the photograph to kelly.hockaday@manchester.gov.uk
by 30th November. You can also ask Kelly about support for your young carer, including signing up to the Young Carers newsletter.
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Here is the latest newsletter from Greater Manchester Autism Consortium, including an update on the national Autism Strategy.
Did you know you can sign up to Manchester Deaf Centre's newsletter? Subscribe through their website and find the latest issue here.
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Having Their Say
Greater Manchester Youth Network (GMYN) invites young people aged 13-25 with a disability or additional needs to join their Youth Voice projects. It’s a way of having their voice heard and campaigning with other young people to make changes. It’s also about having fun, trying new activities and making new friends. Young people will be fully supported to take part. Contact Joseph Cain at GMYN on phone 07592845246 or by email joseph.cain@gmyn.co.uk.
Free Travel Training - Places Still Available!
Free Travel Training is still available for young disabled people aged 14-25 living in Manchester. Travel Training is a one to one experience that is geared to the young person, developing their confidence and skills in travelling independently on public transport or by walking. It’s being run through Greater Manchester Youth Network (GMYN) with seasoned Travel Trainer Phil Samphire who has supported many young people in travelling around the city and beyond. Contact psamphire@icloud.com or 07429 351627.
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find out how to subscribe here.
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