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 Our next drop in is on Wednesday 16th November 10am-12 noon at Woodhouse Park Lifestyle Centre in Wythenshawe. It’s a chance to meet services and ask your SEND-related questions, including education, travel, stuff to do and support in the city. You can also chat with parent carers from Manchester Parent Carer Forum (MPCF), Manchester Parent Champions and The SPACE group. It’d be great to see you there!
Future dates:
Wednesday 14th December - Manchester Youth Zone, Harpurhey
Wednesday 11th January - Moss Side Power House Library
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It tells you about us and what we do, including our online directory and how to get involved and have your say. There's guidance for new parent carers, answering some of your common questions.
There's lots of helpful information!
You can also find lots of information through our Local Offer SEND Information Hub. It covers education, stuff to do, household matters, sources of support - and much more!
For accessibility options, click on the orange circle to open the ReachDeck toolbar. This includes text enlargement, MP3 Maker and language translation.
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Cost Of Living Advice Line
Manchester City Council has a new Cost of Living Advice Line. It offers help around benefits and rent, debt and paying bills, food support, and getting online. Call freephone 0800 023 2692, 9am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday. There is access to a language line for residents whose first language isn’t English. Sign Video is also available. There is a contact form on this Council webpage about the advice line as an alternative way of getting in touch.
The Council’s Helping Hands Hub has various information, including financial support, food banks and free school meals.
Council Package Of Support
It’s estimated that the cost of living crisis could affect up to 100,000 households in Manchester this winter. In response, more than £8m is to be made available to support residents across the city and tackle family poverty and inequality. Find out more on the Manchester City Council website.
Priority Register Advice
National charity Contact are encouraging parents of children with disabilities or who rely on medical equipment to sign up to the Priority Services Register ahead of possible power cuts this winter. Contact your energy supplier directly to join their register. You will get priority support in an emergency — some may arrange heating and cooking facilities too. Read more about the Priority Services Register and where to get help with energy bills on Contact’s website. Visit their cost of living advice page for the latest information on support with household costs.
Free SIMs & £50 Laptops
Low-income Support Payments
The second instalment of a £650 payment for those on means-tested benefits will be paid between 8th and 23rd November. The £324 payment follows an earlier payment of £326 that eligible families should have received in July. The government announced the total package of £650 in May 2022 to help low-income families through the cost of living crisis.
To find out places where kids eat for free (or for a £1) this October half term, see Money Saving Centre. This information is updated for every school holiday so it’s worth saving the link.
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SEND Community Offer
Last week, we sent out a newsletter with free activities for the Half Term as part of the SEND Community Offer. Take a look to see what's on offer!
The activities are for SEND families living in the Manchester City Council area and include sensory rooms, Forest School, cycling and Halloween parties. Please note, the Community Kitchen is a family activity.
ParaNetball Taster
Loads To Do
There’s lots on in Manchester Libraries for children and families – check out the latest newsletter. There’s also Loads To Do for events in the city and near you.
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Funny Face Competition
You have until 17th November to share funny faces in parent carer Facebook groups - Manchester Parent Champions and The Space Group. All entries will be placed in a random draw for free family tickets to Lightopia at Heaton Park!
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SPACE Goes South
Following their success in the north of the city, The SPACE Group are starting a new South Manchester Group in Burnage. This welcoming group of parent carers has its launch event on Wednesday 9th November, 10am-12 noon, at St Margaret's Church on Burnage Lane M19 1FL. No need to register – just go along for refreshments and the usual SPACE fun. The group will meet fortnightly at the church. Contact Jenna 07731925208, spacegroup@manchesterparentcarerforum.org.uk.
Carers Manchester Newsletter
Support From Contact
Contact’s online workshops for families with younger children are back. They’re on early years entitlement, toilet training, speech and language and more. See their workshop and events information.
If your child has regular hospital appointments or stays in hospital, Contact offer virtual Coffee & Chat drop ins. You’ll meet their By Your Side team alongside other parents to share experiences and get advice.
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Have A Say Opportunities
There’s an opportunity for young autistic adults to have a say in developing a support service. It’ll be a few hours every other week in November and December, meeting and talking with the people responsible for commissioning the services that families need. It’s Wythenshawe-based with some virtual activity. If interested, contact Liz Goodger, Senior Commissioning Manager, Manchester Local Care Organisation, at liz.goodger@manchester.gov.uk, 07949 525768.
Manchester Youth Climate Conference is taking place on Saturday 12th November. The event is for young people/young adults aged 16 – 28 and is atTrinity High School, near Manchester University. Register places through Eventbrite.
Free Event From Disabled Living
Kidz to Adultz North is back in Manchester - Tuesday 1st November, Manchester Central, 9.30am-4.30pm. The event - with over 180 exhibitors - is dedicated to children and young adults with disabilities and additional needs, their parents, carers and the professionals who support them. Register for free.
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