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Summer SEND Community Offer

Water Fun

Play and have fun on the water this summer with the Water Adventure Centre (WAC). There are kayaking and water-play sessions at two sites for SEND children and siblings aged over 8 up to 25 living in the Manchester City Council area. Children and young people must be able to swim 25 metres or more to paddle in their own boat. If they can’t swim, they must be accompanied by an adult (18+) in a double kayak or a rafted Canadian.

The free sessions (please book) are welcoming, safe, informal and fun. It’s an opportunity to try a range of craft ranging from kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, crocodile sit-on-tops, rubber rings and even a slide. There are double kayaks so children and young people can paddle with their parent, carer or sibling. Two canoes can also be rafted together to create an extremely stable boat for anybody anxious or nervous.

Ashton Canal, Droylsden

Sessions are 2-4pm on Thursday 3rd August, Tuesday 8th August and Thursday 31st August at the Water Adventure Centre, The Old Boathouse, Fairfield Locks, Off Maddison Road, Droylsden, M43 6ES (Sat Nav: M43 6DS) Please see the directions – it’s tricky to find! https://www.wateradventurecentre.org.uk/about/directions

Accessibility information:

• There is an onsite car park.
• The clubhouse has no steps or stairs.
• There is an accessible path leading to the canal side.
• There are breakout spaces available.
• There are two group changing rooms and three separate cubicles.

Note: there is a drop of 30-40 cm from the bank side to the water. Please contact the team to discuss any access requirements.

Chorlton Water Park

Sessions are Wednesdays 1.30-3.30pm on 26th July, 2nd August and 9th August at Chorlton Water Park, Maitland Avenue, Manchester, M21 7WH. Meet beside the first jetty/slipway nearest to the car park.

Accessibility information:

• There is an on-site car park with disabled bays.
• There is one accessible toilet. 
• A small section of the lake will be used.

Pre-booking is essential by contacting WAC on 0161 301 2673 or info@wateradventurecentre.org.uk. Part of the SEND Community Offer for families living in the Manchester City Council area.

Family Coach Trips

There are going to be some fantastic coach trips with The SPACE Group and 4CT! A share of the tickets will be available to book face to face at the following venues:

• Wednesday 21st June, 10am-12.30pm, Wythenshawe Lifestyle Centre, Portway, M22 1QW (As part of the Local Offer Drop In!)

• Friday 23rd June, 11am-1pm, St George's Community Centre, Bothwell Road, M40 7NY

• Saturday 24th June, 1-3pm, The Grange Community Resource Centre, Pilgrim Drive, M11 3TQ

• Wednesday 28th June, 10am-12 noon, Rodney House School, 1 Albert Grove, M12 4WF

Please note: The number of tickets at each venue will be limited - first come, first served. It's only ONE trip per family and bookings need to be made with cash (most trips are £5 per adult). 

More coach trip information will be released soon. Keep up to date through Facebook with The SPACE Group Manchester.

Education News

Following the updated Department of Education’s ‘Suspension and permanent exclusion guidance’ (May 2023), a further document has been published to support parents in their understanding. This document will be effective from September 23rd 2023 - School exclusions: guide for parents.

The Council for Disabled Children has created some guidelines for parent carers looking for support with tribunals or disputes. Whilst parents and young people are free to use whoever they wish to support them, these guidelines are to help inform and support that choice. You have a right to free impartial information, advice and support from trained, SEND specialists. In the Manchester City Council area, this is offered by the SENDIASS team - check out their Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).

Schools in England can use lunch parcels or voucher options to ensure they provide free school meals to those children entitled to them and on the school roll. In response to Contact’s campaign letter, the minister for schools has confirmed that maintained schools and academies have a duty under the Education Act 1996 to provide nutritious, free meals to eligible pupils wherever they receive education. This applies both in school and at home. Learn more about the free school meals campaign.

Other News

Give Your Family Feedback

The city’s parent/carers are invited to help design a new website and brand for the new Family Hubs in Manchester. These are a new initiative being developed nationally to ensure services and support for families are better connected. The hubs will be based within communities so that families can easily access the support they need locally. If you would like to learn more and give feedback on ideas for the Family Hub brand and website, there is a session on Thursday 15th June, 10am-12 noon (followed by lunch) at St Thomas Centre in Ardwick M12 6FZ. Find out more on the Manchester Parent Carer Forum website: http://manchesterparentcarerforum.org.uk/event/family-hubs-consultation/.

Miracles In Manchester

Last week was Carers Week, the annual campaign to raise awareness of caring and celebrate the contribution unpaid carers make to families and communities throughout the UK. Here’s Carers Manchester newsletter special, with news of a song written by local carers – ‘Miracle’ – about what it’s like to look after someone you love. Hear the song on You Tube. 

Grants For Families

React charity have been in touch to let us know they currently have funding to help children in the Manchester area. They will assist any child under the age of 18 diagnosed with a life-limiting illness and whose family is in financial need. Funding is for items that improve a child’s quality of life around basic, essential needs (specialist medical, mobility, hygiene and educational equipment). Find out more on the React website.

Families with children that have complex needs and disabilities can apply to the Family Fund for grants for vital equipment - such as computers, specialist equipment and educational toys. It can also help with the cost of goods or services, like washing machines and refrigerators. See the Family Fund website for how to apply. In 2023, they introduced a new grant for young people aged 18-24. Check out Your Opportunity, which has a video on how to apply. Grants can be used for a range of activity, including day trips, club membership, laptops and musical instruments.

Child Trust Fund Campaign

There are 80,000 disabled young people in England and Wales at risk of losing £210 million. A difficult and costly process means many are unable to access the savings held in their Child Trust Fund. Contact are supporting a parent-led campaign to help disabled children access their savings. The have a special Facebook Live Q&A session on Monday 19th June at 2pm. You don’t need a Facebook account to watch the livestream but you must be logged in to ask questions or post any other comments.

Easy Read Health Information

Manchester People First have produced an easy read booklet about Annual Health Checks. Everyone over the age of 14 who is on their doctor's learning disability register is entitled to one. Learn more in this NHS information on annual health checks.

Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust have created easy read resources around a range of health topics, including anxiety, epilepsy, nutrition, and sleep. The guides were made with the Trust’s learning disability care hub. Contact details on the guides may be different for people, depending on where they live.

Universal Credit Updates

If you are under 66 and claim Income Support, income-based Jobseekers Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Tax Credits or Housing Benefit in Greater Manchester, you will be transferred to Universal Credit from June 2023. Find out more from Citizens Advice.

In other Universal Credit news, there will be an increase in late June to the payment that eligible claimants can get towards childcare costs. Also, parents on Universal Credit who are moving into work or significantly increasing their working hours will receive help with childcare costs upfront, rather than in arrears. To learn more, see Contact’s information on Universal Credit.

Autism Webinars

Did you know Greater Manchester Autism Consortium have an ongoing programme of webinars? There are still places on two of the Zoom sessions: Teen Q and A, Tuesday 13th June, 7-8.30pm and Sensory Webinar, Tuesday 28th June, 10am-12 noon. Check out the events page and click on the flyer of the seminar you would like to attend to book.

Have Your Say

There are plans in Manchester to develop a number of outdoor multi-use facilities within communities - called PlayZones. MCRactive would like to understand the barriers for parent/carers and young people with limited mobility or disabilities around using these types of spaces. How can they be accessible to all? You can email or telephone to respond to the following questions or give any other comments: 

• Which sports or activities would you like to see in the PlayZone?
• Would you prefer instructor led sessions?
• Are there any facilities that would be helpful? (Like a seating area, toilets, lighting or adjustable equipment.)
• Are there any safety or access concerns that currently stop you from using outdoor spaces?

Please contact Michele Saycell at m.saycell@mcractive.com  or 07984 014102 by the end of June. Thanks for any contribution you can make!

SEND Families Taster Day

MCRactive are running a SEND Families Taster Day at Manchester Communications Academy, Harpurhey, M40 8NT, on Saturday 1st July 12– 2.30pm. This event is free for all to attend with no booking required - just turn up and take part. The aim of the day is to provide taster sessions of sport and other activities for SEND children and young people but also to include their family and friends. Everyone can be involved in sport in Manchester! Confirmed sports so far are basketball, rugby (wheelchair and tag), boccia, netball, tennis and multi-sport. They are also hoping to have a few role models at the event who can share their stories and experience. More information on the MCRactive website - any enquiries to Rebecca Kemp at r.kemp@mcractive.com, 07736 918 676.

Poetry Competition Winners

The Manchester Deaf World Book Day Competition has been running for around 25 years. This year's theme was 'Manchester' and the children had to write an acrostic poem using the 10 letters of the city's name. The judge was Donna Ludford, the previous Lord Mayor of Manchester. She chose four winners: KS1 Infants - Hussain Majadba, KS2 Juniors - Neisha Kaur (pictured), KS3/4 Secondary - Satvik Jadhar and Lebeka Khan from the Special School community. Congratulations to the winners!

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