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Our next Drop In is tomorrow! It's Wednesday 8th February, 10am-12 noon at Woodhouse Park Lifestyle Centre in Wythenshawe. It’s a chance to meet a range of services and parents and ask your SEND-related questions. The city’s special needs nurses will have a stall, as well as local parent/carer groups, so come and have a chat!
COMING UP:
Wednesday 8th March, Manchester College Openshaw Campus - morning
Tuesday 18th April, Manchester Youth Zone, Harpurhey - morning
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‘About Me’ has been developed in Manchester to give children and young people a concise and clear person-centred profile of just one page or two pages that can be used in all settings. It saves repeating their story. Appointments or social events can also be better when key information is shared beforehand. Download the templates which are easily filled in electronically or can be printed out. If you want to find out more and how to use ‘About Me’, have a chat with Tracy Feeley at one of our Local Offer Drop Ins. There’s also a parent/carer training session coming up – we'll keep you posted!
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Supported Internships
The Department for Education want to double the number of supported internships across the country over the next three years. In Manchester, we are fortunate to have lots already. Here are two new organisations offering supported internships to those with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
Project Choice
Project Choice is a national specialist post-16 college providing individually tailored supported internships for 16-24 year olds with learning difficulties, disabilities and/or autism. The internships are for one year, delivered within NHS organisations, the independent sector and private business. There are no academic requirements, however individuals will need an aspiration to work and a current EHCP. Find out more in this information flyer or on the Project Choice website. They will be hosting some Q&A drop ins: Friday 10th February, 2pm; Friday 24th February, 2pm; Friday 10th March, 2pm. If you would like to attend, please contact Steph Walker on 07866757262 or Stephanie.walker@hee.nhs.uk.
DISC
DISC, a partnership between Digital Advantage and SENDCode, are recruiting young people with additional needs who are passionate about pursuing careers in the digital creative industries. DISC provides a unique approach to supporting young people into the workplace by combining years of industry expertise with the very best SEND support, all at their city centre studio. Check out this Eventbrite link to find out more and book on their open days.
Hotel Recruitment Event
Treehouse Hotel, a new hotel opening in Manchester, is holding a recruitment day event like no other on Friday 17th February at HOME, First Street, Manchester. Designed with neurodiversity in mind, the day offers candidates a fun day where they will be able to feel, smell, hear, see, and taste what Treehouse Hotels is all about. Register via the Treehouse recruitment event link or feel free to turn up on the day between 11am and 5pm.
New Social Group
There is a new social group for visually impaired adults of working age, 18+. The next one is Thursday 16th February 6-8pm at Creative Support, Ground Floor Courtyard, Swan Buildings, Swan Street, M4 5JW. Access is on one level and fully accessible, including disabled toilets. Booking isn’t necessary but it’s helpful to know numbers. Email Zoe Garner at zoe.garner@creativesupport.co.uk.
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Updated Transport Policies
 Following completion of the ‘Travel to Access Education and Training Policy' review, the updated policies are now available:
Thanks again to everyone who contributed to the review last year.
Carers Support
MPCF events
Manchester Parent Carer Forum (MPCF) are taking names for the waiting list for their free Parent/Carer Wellbeing Event on Thursday 9th February, 10.30am-12.30pm at St. Thomas Centre M12 6FZ. Find out more on the MPCF website.
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MPCF are also holding a free Sibs workshop for parents/carers on Monday 27th February, 10am-2.30pm at The Hive in the city centre. Delivered by Sibs, it has been opened to all parents of disabled children in Manchester to find ways of giving attention, information, and support to the other children in their families. Find more information and how to book on the MPCF website.
Carers Wellbeing Walks
There are free walks - Our Wellbeing Matters - every Thursday morning in North Manchester run by Regen Me for parent/carers. Email jg@regen.me.uk for more information.
Helpful Guidance From Contact
Contact, the national charity for families with disabled children, has lots of helpful advice and information. Here is some recent guidance:
Take a look at Contact’s website for information across a range of subjects, as well as support and training. You can also sign up for their newsletter.
Voter ID - What You Need To Know
Voters now need to show photo ID when voting at a polling station at some elections. This applies for the first time in England at the local elections on Thursday 4th May 2023. You may already have a form of photo ID that is acceptable, such as a passport, driving licence, Blue Badge, or an eligible travel card. If it is out of date, you can still use it if it resembles how you look now. If you don’t have an accepted form of photo ID, you can apply for a free voter ID document, known as a Voter Authority Certificate. Find out more in this Manchester City Council information and how to get support with applying. There is also easy read information from the Electoral Commission and Manchester People First.
Calm Clinic
COVID-19 and Flu vaccines for ages 5+ are available at an accessible Calm Clinic in Wythenshawe on Saturday 11th February. It’s 11am-3pm at Hall Lane Resource Centre, 157/159 Hall Lane, Baguley, Manchester M23 1WD. You won’t be rushed, there’ll be a quiet space, and a BSL interpreter can be booked if needed. Please make an appointment by calling the Gateway on 0161 947 0770 or texting the helpline 0789 003 6892. The Gateway can book you a free taxi if you need one. There is also plenty of parking. Here is some easy read information on the clinic.
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News In Brief
The Greater Manchester Post Diagnostic Standards for Supporting Autistic Children and Young People and their Families has been published. This sets out expectations of what good quality post-diagnostic care looks like for autistic children and their families.
There is a Greater Manchester Asian Family Rights Day, for unpaid family carers, on Thursday 23rd February, 9.30am-4pm at the British Muslim Heritage Centre, Whalley Range, M16 8BP. Find out about culturally appropriate care, help with completing forms, and more. Interpreters and refreshments available. See the Eventbrite link for more information - ticket not needed, it's just for an idea of numbers.
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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.
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