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Our next drop in is on Wednesday 8th February at Woodhouse Park Lifestyle Centre in Wythenshawe, 10am-12 noon. It’s a chance to meet a range of services and ask your SEND-related questions. You can also chat with Manchester Parent Carer Forum (MPCF), Manchester Parent Champions and other parent carers.
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Home To School Transport - Update
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 Thank you again to everyone who contributed to the conversation around Home to School Transport last year. The 'Travel to Access Education and Training Policy' review has now been completed.
Highlights include:
- Two separate policies: for ages 5-16 and post-16.
- More opportunities for Travel Training to develop lifelong skills in independent travel.
- More creative and attractive solutions, such as Walking Buses, access to bicycles and driving lessons.
- The introduction of 'Pick up Points' for children and young people in their local community alongside their peers.
- An increase in Personal Travel Budget mileage payments to parents/carers from 0.45p per mile to 0.65p.
Any new applicants will be assessed under the new policy from 1st February 2023. Children and Young People will then only be reassessed if the Council is notified of a change in family circumstances or when a child/young person reaches a transition point in their education. You can read more in this letter to parents:
If you would like to learn more about the transport solutions, please contact hometoschool@manchester.gov.uk.
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A-Z Travel Training for 14-25s |
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Our free Travel Training proved popular in the recent review around Home to School Transport. It is now called the A-Z Travel Training Programme and offers more opportunities for young people to gain confidence and independence in travelling around Manchester and beyond. It’s for young people with SEND aged 14-25 who live in the city, supporting them to access leisure activities. That might be the cinema, going to the shops or meeting up with a friend. They’ll be asked:
- Where do you want to go?
- How do you want to get there?
- How can we support you to get there?
There’ll be up to six sessions, each session lasting around three hours, depending on where the young person wants to go. They’ll also get useful information, eg. travel cards, CEA cards and Our Pass. See the flyer for more information. To find out more or register, contact 07851 249676, traveltraining@youngmanchester.org.
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Manchester’s SENDIASS team has joined with parent carers in the city (thank you!) to create SEND Talk Podcasts with easy to understand, jargon-free advice. Hosted by Vic Elizabeth Turnbull, the podcasts feature local carers who have been through the same hurdles you may be facing. Themes include: SEND support in school, preparing for school meetings, the EHCP process, and the Annual Review process. See this podcast page to listen for free from the SENDIASS website or your favourite podcast player. There are transcriptions of each episode too.
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SENDIASS is a free and impartial service for education matters in the city around special educational needs and disabilities. They offer information, advice and support for Manchester parent carers and young people with SEND up to the age of 25. They can also advise professionals needing signposting and procedure information around the SEND Code of Practice. Call 0161 209 8356 Monday to Friday daytime or email sendiass@manchester.gov.uk.
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SEND Community Offer
We’re delighted to share a video showcasing the summer activities in the city’s SEND Community Offer 2022. Thank you to SENDCode CIC for helping co-produce the video and to everyone in it - and to all the people who helped make it such a fantastic summer. Special thanks to The SPACE Group, Manchester Parent Carer Forum and the Manchester Parent Champions for their involvement in the co-production and delivery of the Summer offer!
We try to have a range of free activities in most school holidays, with some in term time too. If you have feedback on the SEND Community Offer 2022 or suggestions for things you’d like to see, please email ali.davenport@manchester.gov.uk.
Skating & Skateboarding
The FLIP sessions are back for the new year but are now on Tuesday evenings instead of Fridays, 4.30-6.30pm at Projeckts Mcr near Piccadilly Station. These sessions are for young with people with SEND aged 11-18 who live in the city of Manchester and are a chance to skateboard and make a bit of music - siblings can join in the fun too. Families are welcome to hang out in the cafe during the sessions or watch the skateboarders from the viewing balcony. Please book by contacting info@billyandandy.co.uk, 07429 826053. This fun video, made last year, gives you a taste of this activity!
Other Stuff To Do
ParaNetball Club
There's a free ParaNetball Club at Wright Robinson Sports College, Gorton on the first Saturday of every month, 10-11am. It's for young people aged between 9–25 with SEND and is fully inclusive. One of the coaches is deaf and able to offer additional support to anyone who is deaf or has a hearing impairment. Siblings welcome - although they won’t be able to take part in competitions. See the webpage for more information and how to book. The contact is Katie at katie@manchesterthunder.co.uk.
Art Events
Quiet Sundays At The Whitworth
Quiet Sundays are multi-sensory, open-ended family play sessions every last Sunday of the month at the Whitworth Art Gallery. They are designed for a quieter experience with children leading the way in their own time and at their own pace. Held in the School of Creativity space, they are free and there’s no need to book, just come along any time between 10.30am and 12.30pm. The next one is Sunday 29th January 2023. Find out more on The Whitworth website.
Open Door At Manchester Art Gallery
Open Doors is a series of creative sessions at Manchester Art Gallery for autistic children and their families. Run by Nadia from Autism for the Arts, families can get hands on with making activities, explore the art gallery or just spend time together in the children’s space. A quiet room is also available. The next one is Saturday 21st January. Arrive any time between 10-11.30am, sessions finish at 12 noon. Booking essential - you only need one ticket for each family. If you have trouble with this, ring the main desk 0161 235 8888.
Chinese New Year Celebrations
There’s a spectacular Chinese New Year celebration at Manchester Central Library on Sunday 22nd January 12noon-4pm. There will be amazing crafts, Chinese performers, workshops and talented face painters. There are also free events at local libraries. Drop in to make exciting Dragon Puppet crafts and traditional Chinese lanterns to take home:
This is family friendly activity, suitable for children aged 5-11yrs.
What's On In My Local Area?
The Stuff To Do section of our SEND Information Hub now has new sections for free or low-cost SEND-friendly activities in different parts of the city:
North / Central / South
If you have any suggestions for activities to add, let us know by emailing ali.davenport@manchester.gov.uk.
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Cost Of Living Updates
A £900 cost of living payment for people on means-tested benefits will be paid in three instalments across 2023/24. Eligible claimants will receive £301 in spring; £300 in autumn; and a further £299 in spring 2024. An additional £150 payment for those on disability benefits will be paid in the summer.
The Energy Price Guarantee, which caps the price of the average domestic energy bill on the variable rate, will be extended for a further 12 months from April 2023. But it will become less generous, with the average bill in 2023/2 being capped at £3,000, rather than the current £2500.
Read more on Contact’s website.
Other Useful Information
Your local area: Winter guides have been produced for each area of the city. This lets you know what is available locally, whether it’s community meals, free activities, food and clothing banks, or financial advice. You can find the guides on the Manchester Local Care Organisation website.
City-wide: Manchester City Council has a free telephone line offering support and advice around benefits and rent, debt and paying bills , food support and help to get online. Call 0800 023 2692, Monday to Friday, 9am-4.30pm. Translations and Sign Video services available upon request. There is also the Council's 'Help with the cost of living crisis' information hub.
There is an easy read leaflet about help for people in Manchester this winter. It includes what to do if you get ill, support with money and ways to keep warm.
Check out Carers Manchester’s Cost of Living Blog for the latest updates and how it relates to carers in the city.
Nationally: See the Government's Help For Households for support to help with the cost of living. National charity Contact, for families with disabled children, have a Cost of Living section.
Get On The Priority Register
If your child has a disability or relies on medical equipment, Contact strongly advises you to get on the Priority Services Register with your energy supplier. This means you’re more likely to get notice of planned power cuts and be offered priority support during emergencies. Some may be able to provide cooking facilities, hot meals or charge points to households that rely on medical equipment. Suppliers must take all reasonable steps to avoid disconnecting you during the winter months (1st October – 31st March). You can also join the register of your energy network operator. This is the company that provides the pipes and cables that bring energy from your supplier to your home. Find out more from Ofgem.
Here is some easy read information on support with water and powercuts. It's about network providers and getting on the list for priority support.
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Free SIM Cards In Libraries
If you’re a Manchester resident over 18 and finding it difficult to pay for data on your device, you can get a free SIM that comes loaded with free data. This will give you free internet access for six months, no monthly top up required. Just call into your local library. Find out more on the Let’s Get Digital website.
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Time To Talk
As we enter 2023, too many young people with additional support needs lack confidence and ideas about their future. The life-changing Time To Talk Next Steps programme is open for new referrals. It's a free online support and self-advocacy programme for young people aged 16-25 who are experiencing anxiety, isolation and have limited or no plans for the future. They may be in school or in college or have finished all education and be unsure how to move forward. The experienced team provide virtual one to one support to build confidence and help navigate life's challenges. They also work without labels; young people don't need to have a diagnosis or Education Health and Care Plan. If you know a young person who would benefit, let them know or see if they would like you to get in touch on their behalf. Find out more at Time To Talk – Next Steps.
Free Activity Group
There’s a free activity group for young people aged 14-25 with SEND and SEMH (Social, Emotional & Mental Health) to make new friends, gain confidence and improve their wellbeing. It’s run by the charity KIDS and is on Monday evenings 6-8pm at 422 Community Hub, M12 4EX in the Longsight/Ardwick area. It’s easy to find, with the 192 bus stopping outside and parking on nearby roads. Activities include arts and crafts, cooking, healthy living and having a say. The contact is Kerry at kerry.hassanpour@kids.org.uk or 07815 922910. Please feel welcome to give Kerry a call. They offer a one to one session at home to help smooth the way. Parent carers can also stay at sessions whilst young people settle in.
Careers Event
Do you want to support your child to get a job or training? Not sure what’s available for them in your local area? Come along to the Forum Library in Wythenshawe on Friday 27th January, 9am-1pm to meet employers and training providers who have opportunities for new year starts. (First floor, lift available.) This event is aimed at young people in South Manchester between 16-24 who are not currently in work or training and their parents. For more information, call Career Connect on 0161 232 7863 or email eet@careerconnect.org.uk.
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Carers Support
See Carers Manchester’s latest newsletter, including activities for carers and information on Accessible Transport in the Manchester area. You can sign up for the free newsletter on their website (scroll down the page for the subscription link). There is also their Learning and Development newsletter with 'Welfare & Benefits Advice' and 'Being A Carer' workshops and e-learning courses.
Greater Manchester Autism Consortium is offering a range of free seminars for the new year. These include: What does autism look like in teenagers?, Managing Anger parent seminar, and Grow in confidence in your autism. See their events page.
SENsitive is a supportive and welcoming group for parent carers of children with additional needs and disabilities. They come together to share their hopes, struggles and advice through lived experience. They have changed venue and now meet on Mondays 10am-12 noon at the Forum Library in Wythenshawe – on the first floor, lift available. Find the group on Facebook (SENsitive), Twitter (@SENsitive_Mcr) or contact 07591 078944, sensitiveparents@gmail.com.
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New Autism & Trauma Guide
Autism & Trauma is a new guide for parents and professionals by Spectrum Gaming. It has been co-produced with input from autistic young people and adults, as well as parents and professionals, and been reviewed by experts. It includes understanding autism and trauma, preventing and reducing trauma, and understanding meltdowns.
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Nothing About Us Without Us
Nothing About Us Without Us is a landmark exhibition at The People’s History Museum. Running until mid-October, it explores the history of disabled people’s activism and ongoing fight for rights and inclusion. Co-curated by four community curators who identify as disabled people, it’s the most accessible exhibition that has ever taken place at the museum, with a range of accessible formats, including Large Print guides, a British Sign Language interpreted and captioned film, an audio narration, and braille transcriptions. There is also a programme of accessible events and activities to accompany the exhibition. Suitable for 12+.
Covid & Other Infections
COVID-19 is still with us. If you know you have COVID-19, stay home for 5 days after you test positive, and stay away from other people so you don’t spread it. If you live with someone who has COVID-19, or have stayed in their house, be careful for 10 days. Don’t meet people who may be at high risk or have a health condition.
It can be hard to tell the difference between COVID-19 and a cold, flu or infections. If you feel unwell and have COVID-19 symptoms it is best to stay at home and stay away from other people.
Contact’s website is packed with information on respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), the flu vaccine and Covid-19. Here is a recent Facebook Live Q&A event - ‘Protecting disabled children from winter illnesses’. You can also visit the NHS website for more advice on Strep A and scarlet fever.
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