BOOKING INFORMATION - PLEASE READ
These activities are for SEND families and young people living in the Manchester City Council area.
Booking is essential for most activities. Some are directly with the organisers. For everything else, it's our Specialist Resource Team on 0161 219 2125, Monday to Friday, 10am-4pm. If it's busy, we ask you to call back rather than leave a message for the team.
Please let us know if you can't make it, even if it's on the day - it creates space for another family. Thank you!
Cycling Out & About - NEW!
There is free cycling every Saturday in August for Manchester young people with SEND and/or Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs aged 12+. It’s 11am-3pm each time, starting on Saturday 6th August and meeting at The Procter Centre in Hulme, 235 Hulme St, Hulme, Manchester M15 5EF. It’s a chance to develop cycling and road safety skills and have fun on a bike. Bikes, helmets and safety equipment all provided. Activity followed by a meal. Any ability (including never ridden a bike before!) are welcome. Booking essential - call the Specialist Resource Team on 0161 219 2125.
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A Trip To The Tower Circus - NEW!
Wythenshawe Community Housing Group’s Youth Involvement team are off to Blackpool Tower Circus on Tuesday 9th August. Spaces are aimed at Wythenshawe young people with SEND aged 13-25 years, accompanied by an adult parent/carer as needed. Limited availability for a sibling. Transport, lunch, tickets and snacks all included. The meeting point is Woodhouse Park Lifestyle Centre at 10am, returning around 4.30pm. Please book directly by emailing bronwen.lewis-brooke@wchg.org.uk with the subject ‘Circus trip’ and names.
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SEND Soccer School - NEW!
City in the Community have a SEND Soccer School this summer! It offers specialist coaching football coaching and play for young people aged 8-18 with a disability and/or additional needs. Sessions are:
- Wednesday 10th August 10am-2pm, Manchester Tennis Centre, Etihad Campus, 9 Sportcity Way, Manchester M11 3DU
- Wednesday 17th August,10am-2pm, City Football Academy, Etihad Campus, M114TQ
- Wednesday 24th August,10am-2pm, City Football Academy, Etihad Campus, M114TQ
Booking essential - call the Specialist Resource Team on 0161 219 2125.
Mini Robot Races - NEW!
SENDCode are offering two ‘Love Digital’ days for young people aged 11-19 on Friday 19th and Friday 26th August 10am-2.30pm. Both days will follow a carousel of four activities, with roughly an hour on each. Learn to use block coding (Scratch) to programme mini robots, create a robot racecourse, and record and produce a video of a robot race in iMovie. Refreshments provided. It’s at SENDCode, Holyoake House, Hanover Street, Manchester, in a quiet and inclusive space with highly trained teachers of young people with SEND. Booking essential - call the Specialist Resource Team on 0161 219 2125.
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SUMMER AT HOME - NEW!
Music-making & Creating
A fantastic course is on offer at HOME from Monday 15th to Friday 19th August, 10am-3.30pm each day. It’s for Manchester young people aged 16-25 with SEND and an interest in making and creating music and learning new skills. Delivered by Digit Music, it’s an introduction to digital music-making using a range of technologies. Singing and instruments can also be brought to the activity. Ideally, young people will join each day as the group will be collaborating to create new music for a performance at the end of the week. The course will be held in a fully accessible space at HOME with a quiet space available. There’ll be food and refreshments throughout the week and any travel or additional access costs covered. Please go to HOME’s website for more information and to find out how to book directly with them (by 7th August).
Music Open Day
There’s an open day at HOME on Friday 19th August 2-5pm as part of the SEND Community Offer. It's aimed at 16-25 year olds interested in finding out more about AMP (Accessible Music Productions), HOME's inclusive music project for young adults with mixed abilities and additional needs. Carers, family and support staff are all welcome too. It’ll be an afternoon of performance, music activities, food, and getting to know HOME, hosted by the AMP group. Get in touch with lucy.follon@homemcr.org if there are are any travel costs or additional access support needs. No need to book, just drop in on the day.
Relaxed Cinema Screening
As part of the SEND Community Offer, we have a share of the tickets for ‘Where is Anne Frank?’, a new animation at a HOME Mcr Relaxed Screening on Sunday 21st August, 11am. In this PG film, fiery teenager Kitty, Anne Frank’s imaginary friend, comes to life in the modern day in the Amsterdam house where Anne had taken refuge with her family. Believing her to still be alive, Kitty embarks on a journey to find Anne in today's Europe. While the young girl is shocked by the modern world, she also comes across Anne’s vast legacy. Watch the trailer. Booking essential - call the Specialist Resource Team on 0161 219 2125.
Sow The City - Grow Veg At Home
Sow the City is sharing free Food Growing Packs to help your family engage and connect with nature. Inside you’ll find everything you need to grow wonderful seeds at home - pots, compost pellets and trowel. Follow the easy information sheet on how to get growing. For Manchester SEND families only. Booking essential - call the Specialist Resource Team on 0161 219 2125.
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Ceramic Popstar Boxes
Venture Arts are back this summer with another free box project that contains everything you need to make fun pieces of art at home. This time, you'll get everything you need to make your own ceramic popstars or bands. This will be professionally fired at Venture Arts and displayed for collection at a mini music festival celebration at the end of the project. All instructions and materials are safe and accessible, designed and prepared by artist Ben Goring (pictured work - Bob Marley’s Family Tree (2022)) and specialist facilitators for children aged 3+ with supervision. Booking essential - call the Specialist Resource Team on 0161 219 2125.
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Sensory Rooms - Wythenshawe & Cheetham Hill
SEND families have free use of the Sensory Room at Benchill Community Centre in Wythenshawe during the summer. Each slot is for 45 minutes and on the hour, Monday to Fridays from Monday 1st to Wednesday 31st August, 10am–5pm. Manchester families only. Call the community centre on 0161 946 9520 to book directly.
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The popular Sensory Rooms at Redbank House in Cheetham Hill are back! Free slots are available at various times between 9am-4pm (on the hour for 50 minutes) during weekdays from Thursday 28th July to Wednesday 31st August. Manchester families only. Book directly with Redbank House on 0161 214 5959 or email info@redbankhouse.com.
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Tree Top Trek
Enjoy tree-riffic bouncy adventure in the high trees at Heaton Park with Tree Top Trek. Play high up on huge bouncy nets with super-fast slides and aerial walkways. These free special sessions for SEND families living in the city of Manchester take place every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday during August,10am-12 noon, starting on Thursday 28th July - age 3 and upwards, including a free packed lunch. See the website for FAQ. Thanks to SPACE parent carer group and 4CT who are supporting this activity. Booking essential - call the Specialist Resource Team on 0161 219 2125.
Pedal & Picnic
Join Simply Cycling for a free all-ability guided ride and picnic. The activity runs over the summer holidays from Friday 29th July to Wednesday 31st August and is for up to 8 Manchester people per ride (additional parent support can be added if needed). Simply Cycling bring bikes that all the family will be able to ride or be supported to ride - including wheelchair accessible bikes and trandems - and the routes will be geared around needs and abilities. The rides don't need to start at the parks - alternative meeting points can be arranged::
- Boggart Hole Clough - Mondays 10am-12 noon & 12 noon-2pm
- Wythenshawe Park - Tuesdays 10am-12 noon & 12 noon-2pm, Wednesdays 10am-12 noon, Fridays 10am-12 noon & 12 noon-2pm
Booking essential – call the Specialist Resource Team on 0161 219 2125.
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Skateboarding & Scootering
There are fantastic free coached skateboarding and scootering classes for 11-19 year olds every Friday from 29th July until 26th August, 2-4pm. They're at Projekts MCR Skatepark on London Road in Manchester, with drinks and snacks for children and families. Booking essential - call the Specialist Resource Team on 0161 219 2125.
Forest School In The Market Garden
Manchester Bees Forest School is back in the Community Market Garden at Platt Fields on Sunday 31st July and every Sunday and Wednesday in August, from 10am-3pm each day, with lunch around 12 noon. You’ll get a warm welcome in these free sessions for Manchester families, with a range of outdoor activities including a mud kitchen and sand pit, nature crafts, and bug and scavenger hunts.The Market Garden is an enclosed allotment/growing area on level ground next to Platt Fields Park. Parents find it a real oasis for themselves as well as their children. (For any queries, not bookings, Siân Millward can be contacted on 07506 342945, hello@manchesterbeesforestschool.co.uk.) Please book directly using this online form: https://bit.ly/3RAtCmz.
Boating At Heaton Park
Manchester SEND families can have fun on Heaton Park lake every Monday morning in August. These free sessions are every half hour from 10am-12 noon with a choice of electric boats, pedalos and rowing boats. Thanks to SPACE parent carer group and 4CT who are supporting this activity. Booking essential – call the Specialist Resource Team on 0161 219 2125.
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Family Watersports At Debdale
Manchester SEND families can try out outdoor water activities for free at Debdale Outdoor Centre on Hyde Road, Gorton this summer. This includes kayaking, raft building and sailing, with food and snacks provided. You’ll need to wear clothes and trainers that you don’t mind getting wet and to bring a full set of spare clothes, footwear and a towel. The minimum age to be on the water is 8 years old and children need to be water confident. Under 8s can watch but will need an adult with them. The sessions are every Monday and Friday evening in August 4.30pm-7.30pm, starting on the 1st, plus two Sunday Sessions on 14th and 28th August 1pm-4pm. Thanks to 4CT who are supporting this activity. Booking essential – call the Specialist Resource Team on 0161 219 2125.
Outdoor Storytelling
Free interactive storytelling is brought to you by Manchester Libraries with the support of Manchester Parent Champions. While it’s aimed at younger children, everyone can join in with the singalong and activities and listen to some great stories, followed by light refreshments. Every Tuesday in August, 11am-12 noon:
- Wythenshawe Park, Hall Gardens - 2nd August
- Alexandra Park, next to children's playground - 9th August
- Boggart Hole Clough, next to cafe - 16th August
- Wythenshawe Park, Hall Gardens - 23rd August
- Alexandra Park, next to children's playground - 30th August
Manchester SEND families only. Booking essential - call the Specialist Resource Team on 0161 219 2125.
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Summer Feelgood Arts Club
A chance to have fun as a family mindfully exploring the gardens at Whitworth Art Gallery. These free sessions are every Tuesday in August starting on 2nd, 11am-1pm. They’re aimed at Manchester children with SEND aged 6-12 and led by Jess Wilkinson from The Sea Within. Booking essential – call the Specialist Resource Team on 0161 219 2125.
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Summer Drama Workshops
Odd Arts are running free drama and creative workshops with games and improvisation. There are two series of 4 sessions, Tuesday to Friday on 2nd-5th August and then again on 9th-12th August, 1-3.30pm each day. It’s for Manchester young people with SEND aged 8-16 and is at The Edge Theatre, Chorlton, M21 9JG. Ideally, young people would go to all 4 sessions in one of the weeks. Book directly with Esther at esther@dsmanchester.org.uk or 07593 542107.
Get Out & About With MYZ
Manchester Youth Zone have some spaces on fantastic trips for young people with SEND who are not already members of the centre:
* Legoland, Trafford Centre, Tuesday 2nd August, 10.30am-2.30pm, 8-12 year olds
* Flip Out Trampoline Park, Tuesday 9th August, 10.30am-2.30pm, 13-25 year olds
* Sea Life, Trafford Centre, Tuesday 23rd August, 10.30am-2.30pm, 8-12 year olds
* Cinema & Pizza Hut, Tuesday 30th August, 10.30am-2.30pm, 13-25 year olds
Young people can have one space, with names added to a reserve list for anyone wishing to attend multiple activities. Once a space is secured, young people are asked to attend a ‘Getting to know you’ session at Manchester Youth Zone on a Sunday prior to the trip, 12-3pm. Book directly through Corrina the Inclusion Manager, Corrina.aitchison-hayles@manchesteryz.org or 0161 203 5333.
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Family Day Trips
This summer, there are fantastic coach trips setting off from various locations in the city to Formby Beach, St Annes, Lyme Park and the Children's Adventure Farm. Trips are £5 per adult, children 17 and under free, include a packed lunch, and are from 10am to approx 4pm each day. The first trip is to Formby from Wythenshawe on Wednesday 3rd August. This activity has been put together by 4CT, Manchester Parent Carer Forum and SPACE parent carers group. Find out more on the 4CT website and book directly for each trip using the Eventbrite links -
https://4ctltd.blogspot.com/p/trips-activity-days.html.
Family Climbing Fun
There are fun family climbing sessions every Wednesday in August, 11am-12 noon, starting on the 3rd at Parthian Climbing Centre, St Benedicts Church, Ardwick. Sessions are an hour’s climbing with qualified instruction, followed by a snack and drink in the café. It’s for all the family, age 5+. Manchester SEND families only. Booking essential - call the Specialist Resource Team on 0161 219 2125.
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Community Kitchen
Get cooking this summer with the Community Kitchen! These free sessions are every Wednesday in August 3-7pm, starting on the 3rd, for young people with SEND and/or social emotional and mental health needs (SEMH). Young people are encouraged to attend with their families and cook (and eat!) together, learning about healthy food and healthy food cooking techniques. All food and tuition provided. It’s at Procter Learning Centre, Hulme Street, Off Jackson Crescent M15 5EF. Manchester SEND families only. Booking essential - call the Specialist Resource Team on 0161 219 2125.
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Games & Sports In The Park
Groundwork are offering informal, non-competitive sports and games in Crumpsall Park every Thursday in August 4-6pm, starting on the 4th. (Activities may not be fully accessible for young people with ambulant disabilities. If you’d like to check or for any other queries, not bookings, please contact Carlos at carlos.dore@groundwork.org.uk or 07739978798.) Manchester SEND families only. Booking essential - call the Specialist Resource Team on 0161 219 2125.
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Family Activity Days
4CT and SPACE parent carers have joined together to offer free activity days during August. There'll be lots of fun stuff, including a bouncy castle, obstacle course, arts and crafts, plus drinks and refreshments:
- Monday 8th August, Ladybarn Community Hub, Fallowfield. M14 6RN, 12-3pm
- Wednesday 31st August, Grange Community Resource Centre, Pilgrim Drive M11 3TQ, 12-3pm
- Friday 12th August & Friday 19th August, St George’s Community Centre, Bothwell Rd M40 7NY, 2-4pm
Book directly through 4CT's website, using the Eventbrite links -https://4ctltd.blogspot.com/p/trips-activity-days.html
Adventure On The Water
Have fun at the Water Adventure Centre (WAC) in Droylsden on Monday 8th and Monday 15th August, 2-4pm, with an introductory kayaking and water-play session, food included. The activity is for Manchester SEND children and siblings over 8 who must be able to swim a minimum of 25 meters and be accompanied by adult in the canoe if they're not able to go in it by themselves. The Water Adventure Centre is at The Old Boathouse Fairfield Locks, Off Maddison Road M43 6ES (Sat Nav: M43 6DS). It can be tricky to find so see their website for directions. (Please contact them if you have questions about access or any other queries, not bookings - 0161 301 2673, info@wateradventurecentre.org.uk.)
Booking essential - call the Specialist Resource Team on 0161 219 2125.
Children's Adventure Farm
There are free visits to the popular Children's Adventure Farm on Wednesday 10th August 12-2pm, Friday 12th August 2-4pm, Wednesday 24th August 10am-12 noon and Friday 26th August 2-4pm. The farm is at Reddy Lane, Altrincham WA14 3RE. You need to be able to make your own way there, with your own packed lunch. Enjoy feeding and petting the animals, have fun in the playpark, and explore the woodland – and more! Manchester SEND families only. Booking essential - call the Specialist Resource Team on 0161 219 2125.
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Day Trip To Chester Zoo
There’s a day trip to Chester Zoo with HideOut Youth Zone in East Manchester on Wednesday 31 August. It’s aimed at young people local to the centre aged 8-25 with additional needs or a disability, along with a family member, friend or carer. Lunch and snacks included, plus a year’s free membership to HideOut for those not already a member. To register interest, email enquires@hideoutyouthzone.org.
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