|
|
Welcome to the latest newsletter from Manchester Local Offer. We hope you had an enjoyable Easter holidays. In this issue, find out about our next drop in and how to have your say in the SEND Review.
|
|
|
Our next drop in is on Wednesday 27th April 10am-12 noon at the Woodhouse Park Lifestyle Centre, Portway, Manchester M22 1QW. It’s a chance to meet services and ask your SEND-related questions, including education, travel, stuff to do and Early Help. You can also chat with Manchester Parent Carer Forum (MPCF), Manchester Parent Champions and other parent carers. We’ll be sending out more information soon. Look out for it in your inbox!
Future dates:
Wednesday 18th May, Manchester Youth Zone, Harpurhey, 10am-12 noon
Wednesday 15th June, Moss Side Powerhouse, 10am-12 noon
|
|
Have Your Say In The SEND Review
|
|
|
|
The government has published an important green paper on the future of the special educational needs and disabilities and alternative provision system. Better support is needed to ensure every child and young person with SEND can thrive and be well prepared for adult life. Parents, carers and young people, and those who work with them, are invited to have a say. We suggest reading the green paper SEND Review: Right support, right place, right time or the Summary document. You’re then encouraged to do the online consultation running until 1st July 2022. There are also events - a virtual consultation on Monday 23rd May, 10am-3.30pm, which can be booked through this link, and a face to face event in Manchester on Tuesday 17th May 10am-3.30pm. The Manchester event is being run through the Council for Disabled Children and you can find out more on Eventbrite.
|
|
Music-Making & Skateboarding
As part of the SEND Community Offer and in response to feedback, a series of music-making and skateboarding sessions are being offered for free at Projekts skatepark near Piccadilly. Young people have the chance to enjoy an hour of skateboard coaching with trained staff and then an hour of music-making upstairs in the meeting room. It’s with Billy and Andy who offer accessible music workshops for young people with special needs and disabilities (SEND). The sessions are aimed at teenagers but if there is someone older or younger who would like to attend, get in touch for a chat. The first session starts on Friday 6th May and then it's Fridays 4.30-6.30pm into July. It’d be great if young people can attend every session or as many as they can. Parents are more than welcome to hang out in the cafe during the sessions or watch the skateboarders from the viewing balcony. To book places, contact info@billyandandy.co.uk, 07429 826053. To find out more about Billy and Andy, see their website.
 |
Inclusive Swims Coming Back
Inclusive swims are starting again at Moss Side Leisure Centre on Sundays 9-11.30am. These provide a calm environment and a clear process from entry to the pool for children and young people with special needs and disabilities (SEND). Families can access the small pool and floats for family fun or use the main pool for lane swimming. It’s the same price as the casual swimming. More information to follow!
|
Free Cycling Programme
Mancycles and GMYN are offering an exciting opportunity for Manchester young people with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs to take part in a weekly cycling project over the spring and summer. Weekly bike rides with a trained instructor are every Saturday 11am-3pm, meeting at the Procter Learning Centre, Hulme Street, Hulme. It's an opportunity to develop independence, build resilience and learn about road safety. Bikes, helmets and other safety equipment provided. There are also bike maintenance sessions at various venues on Wednesdays 4-6pm to learn basic maintenance such as changing tyres and repairing broken chains. Contact Euan Davies for more information on 07534 466607 or by emailing euan.davies@gmyn.co.uk.
|
|
Wheels For All Open Day
Join this free event for all abilities and ages, learning more about inclusive cycling and having your say on future plans for Wheels for All at Debdale Park. It’s on Tuesday 17th May, 11am-3pm, Debdale Park, Manchester, M18 7LJ. Book using this link. For further information, contact Jim Yeoman, jim.yeoman@cycling.org.uk, 07736 974537. Find out more about the regular Wheels For All Debdale sessions on the Cycling UK website.
Pop Up Percussion
Last year, Buzz Manchester collaborated with Becca from Pop Up Percussion to bring you 24 free wonderfully fun and creative music sessions for babies, toddlers and children aged 0-6. All 24 sessions are still available but with brand new sessions now being added each week. Join the fun with Becca as she explores the world around us using song, movement, live instrumentation and storytelling, developing new skills and confidence along the way. Check out all the videos on the Buzz Manchester website.
|
|
Money Matters
The Government has said that everyone in Council Tax Bands A to D will receive a £150 rebate this year to help with increasing energy costs. If you live in the Manchester City Council area and signed up to pay your council tax by Direct Debit before 7th April 2022, the rebate will be automatically paid into your bank account in most cases. Residents who pay their council tax in cash (by PayPoint or standing order/ bank transfer) or have no council tax to pay will receive a letter with details of how they can apply for the £150 payment. Letters are expected to be sent from 25th April 2022 – see the Manchester City Council website for more information.
|
Local authorities might offer families the option of a personal or individual budget to pay for services and practical support. If they do, you may be able to request a direct payment. Find out more in this information from Contact.
Adults no longer need to pay fines at Manchester Libraries if they are late returning the items they’ve borrowed. This includes books, DVDs and CDs. The decision is part of a bid to make libraries more accessible and encourage everyone to rediscover what’s happening at their local libraries. Head over to the Libraries blog to read more.
|
The CEA Card is a national card scheme developed for UK cinemas by the UK Cinema Association (UKCA). The Card enables a disabled cinema guest to receive a complimentary ticket for someone to go with them when they visit a participating cinema. Find out more about the CEA scheme. If you require an adjustment to visit a cinema because of your disability, cinema staff should make them for you whether you have a CEA Card or not.
Covid Updates
Free lateral flow tests are no longer available except to those eligible. This includes: patients in hospital, people being admitted to hospital for surgery or a procedure, people who have a health condition which means they are eligible for Covid treatments, staff and residents in homecare organisations, supported living services and care homes, people who work in the adult social care sector and NHS workers. If you are not eligible, you can buy lateral flow test kits from Boots, Lloyds Pharmacy and some major supermarkets. There is more information on the government website - please be aware, the guidance around eligibility is subject to change.
|
The NHS has published some guidance on the different types of Covid vaccines available, including vaccines for children aged 5-15 and people with a severely weakened immune systems. Find out more on the NHS website.
|
For information on vaccinations in Manchester see the Manchester City Council website. You can also find out about free transport to selected sites – ManchesterJabCab – and how to record vaccinations you have had overseas.
Other News In Brief
The Alex Foundation runs a parent carers group every Wednesday 11am-1pm at St George’s Community Centre, Miles Platting M40 7NY. There is also an Impact Project every Sunday 1pm-3pm at Manchester Youth Zone for children with special needs from 3 years and over. If transport is difficult for either session, support may be available. To find out more, call 07411 496555 or email info@alexfoundation.org.uk.
|
Parents, carers and professionals are invited to a new Autism Care Pathway Free webinar on Tuesday 26th April, 12.30-3pm. Find out more and how to book.
The new Greater Manchester Autistic Adult support group kicks off on Thursday 28th April with ‘Grow Confidence in your Autism’, on Zoom 6.30-8.30pm. Book through Eventbrite. The group is for autistic adults over 18 living in Greater Manchester. There are two autistic facilitators Emmy and Mark and all the sessions will be delivered via Zoom. Any questions please email emmy.clarke@nas.org.uk or mark.simpson@nas.org.uk.
Across the country, integrated care partnerships (ICP) are being set up to allow health and care organisations to work better together to plan and deliver services. Greater Manchester ICP is running a Big Conversation to get feedback, thoughts and ideas on what should be included in the GM strategy. For more information and for a chance to win one of four £250 Love2Shop vouchers, visit the Big Conversation to complete the short survey.
|
|
Future You
‘Future You’ is a free mentoring programme for 18-24 year olds in Greater Manchester not in education, employment or training. A dedicated mentor works with a young person one to one once a week for up to nine months, with a view to progressing them into a job, apprenticeship or course. The mentoring is geared to the young person. If they are anxious about using public transport, they can do travel training to slowly build up their confidence and independence. If they are close to being ready to work, the sessions might focus on CV writing and mock job interviews. Meetings can take place wherever the young people feel most comfortable – in the office, a café or community space, or even in their home. To refer or receive more information please visit the Future You website or call 0800 0249006.
 Next Round Of Hatch
Hatch is an employability programme aimed at Young People aged 16 to 24 who are ready to enter the workplace but just need a little extra support. Run in partnership with UK Youth and The KFC Foundation, young people attend pre-employability workshops and then four weeks of work experience. After completing the programme, they will be given a £500 grant and an opportunity to have a real interview at KFC. Hatch are now recruiting for Group 2 starting May 30th. Future start dates: August 1st and October 3rd. To sign up or for any questions, contact Rachael on 07592 886665 or rachael.barber@gmyn.co.uk.
New Online Platform For Autistic Young People
Ambitious about Autism is excited to announce the launch of the UK’s first online platform for autistic young people aged 16 to 25. The Ambitious Youth Network offers a safe and moderated online space to help them understand their autistic identity and reduce isolation and loneliness that many feel. Young people will be able to take part in peer support sessions, share experiences and find volunteering, work experience and employment opportunities. There will also be opportunities for them to work together and campaign for change. Find out more on the Ambitious about Autism website.
|
If you don’t receive our newsletters and would like to,
find out how to subscribe here.
|
|
|
|
|
