The new Inclusive ParaNetball Club is on the first Saturday of every month, 10-11am. The next date is Saturday 5th March - book using this Eventbrite link. The club is open to girls and boys, as well as siblings, and is at Wright Robinson Sports College, Gorton. See the Dominoes website for more information.  Currently the sessions are free to attend. Future date: Saturday 2nd April.

Open Doors is a series of creative sessions at Manchester Art Gallery for autistic children and their families and carers. The next session is Saturday 19th March. Arrive any time between 10-11.30am, the session finishes at 12 noon. Book through Eventbrite. Any questions, contact katymccall@manchester.gov.uk or ring the main desk 0161 235 8888.  Future date: Tuesday 12th April.

Z-arts in Hulme have a free Z-access Day on Sunday 20th March, 11am-2pm. Join them for a day of joy-filled creativity in a safe and welcoming environment for families with disabilities and additional requirements. There’ll be drama, music, arts and crafts and creative play sessions, as well as a sensory space and a time-out space. Please book using this Z-arts link.

Manchester Libraries invite the city’s children to send in designs for their new children’s library cards. Submissions will be judged in three age categories - 5 to 8, 9 to 11 and 12 to 16. Category winners will receive a £40 Fred Aldous voucher to spend on art supplies and have their designs printed on thousands of library cards. Open to children between 5-16 living in Manchester or attending a Manchester school. Closes 29th April. Find out more in this Libraries blog. 

There is a relaxed concert for parents and carers of children and young people with SEND in Manchester on Monday 28th February, 11.30am-1.30pm. It’s at The Grange Community Resource Centre, 4 Pilgrim Drive, Beswick, M11 3TQ. Many parent carers have little or no access to live music. With the help of Music in Hospitals & Care, the aim is to create meaningful moments and memories of joy, relaxation and engagement together. The concert is free and includes a light lunch and refreshments. Please book through the Manchester Parent Carer Forum website.

Carers Manchester offer free regular courses. Coming up is Welfare and Benefits on Tuesday 15th March, 10.30am-12.30pm at FC United Football Club. There’s also Managing Stress onTuesday 22nd March, 10am-12pm, online. See the events page for booking and more activities.

A new parent and carers support group – SPACE – runs every other Friday 11am-1pm at St George's Community centre, Bothwell Rd, Collyhurst M40 7NY. Set up by parent carers Hayley and Jenna, it’s more than a coffee morning, with activities and workshops based around themes. 

The current theme is mental wellbeing and building new friendships through the group. On 11th March, the health visiting team will be sharing information about their service and there’ll be a guest speaker talking about hope. On 25th March, Music in Hospitals and Care are giving a free concert, including food and refreshments. While there isn’t a booking system, it helps if you message to let them know you’re attending so they can manage numbers and refreshments. Email thespacegroup@manchesterparentcarerforum.org.uk. SPACE are also on Facebook.

Carers Manchester have a new group in South Manchester for people who care for an autistic adult. It meets on the third Tuesday of every month and is a chance to meet up, share experiences and have lunch together. The next is on Tuesday 15th March 11.30am-1pm at the Dandelion Centre, Wythenshawe. Future dates: 19th April, 17th May, 14th June and 19th July. If interested or you have any questions, please contact: cms@manchestercarersforum.org.uk or call Steve on 07494097568.

There is a SEND-friendly vaccination clinic for children aged 5-17 years at clinical risk, Friday 25th February 10am-3pm, at the Jain Community Centre in Longsight.

The clinic is for children who are at serious risk from complications of coronavirus, including those with learning disabilities. There will be health play specialists to hand who are experienced with supporting children and teenagers who have additional needs and fears around the environment. Call the Gateway for free on 0800 092 4020 to book and to arrange free transport if you need it. Find out more on the Manchester Parent Carer Forum website.

The Government has announced a two-part Energy Bills Rebate. This includes an upfront discount on bills worth £200 for all domestic electricity customers in the UK. However, it’s expected to be recovered through an increasing standing charge on bills in the future. The Rebate also includes a non-repayable council tax rebate of £150 for households in bands A to D, as well as £144 million of discretionary funding for those in need not eligible for the council tax rebate. Find out more in this government news.