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The latest news and updates for parents/carers
of children and young people 0-25 years with special educational needs
and disabilities (SEND) in the Manchester City Council area
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Our next drop in is on Wednesday 13th December, 10am-12.00pm, in the downstairs hall at Moss Side Powerhouse. These monthly free events are for parent/carers living in the Manchester City Council area, offering a chance to talk to a range of services and get support from other parents. There's a lot for young people up to 25 too. Find out more in our recent drop in bulletin.
FUTURE DATES, 10am-12pm
Wednesday 10th January 2024, Manchester Youth Zone, Harpurhey
Wednesday 7th February 2024, HideOut Youth Zone, Gorton
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Christmas cookery
The Community Kitchen returns with two sessions for winter on Monday 18th and Wednesday 20th December, 2.30-5.30pm. It’s for young people with SEND and/or social emotional and mental health needs (SEMH) living in the Manchester City Council area. They can come with their families and cook (and eat!) together. All food and tuition provided. The winter menu includes tender curried lamb, oven baked chicken and fish, and Mac’n’Cheese (vegetarian), plus winter BBQ-Festive cakes and home-made drinks. It’s at Procter Learning Centre, Hulme Street, Off Jackson Crescent M15 5EF. Booking essential - call Roger on 07970 922132. Please arrive on time - parking is available. There’s also the chance to try cycling. One of Manccycles ride leaders teaches sessions before and during the cookery breaks. If interested, book a slot when booking the cookery.
Winter Forest School
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The Christmas Forest School is open during the holidays! It’s for SEND families living in the Manchester City Council area and is on Monday 18th, Tuesday 19th and Wednesday 20th December, 11am-3pm, drop in anytime, vegetarian lunch around 12.30pm at Platt Fields Market Garden (off Mabfield Road, Fallowfield, M16 6LT). There’ll be a warm welcome, with lots of activity, including sensory play in the mud kitchen, fire lighting and tool use (snacks on the fire from 2.15pm), den building and Christmas nature crafts. It’s an outdoor event suitable for all ages and developmental stages. There are wheelchair and pushchair routes through the main arteries of the garden, baby changing, and a step-free access toilet with space to change. The children's garden is grassy and, in parts, uneven. Booking essential through Eventbrite. If you are no longer able to attend, please select 'refund tickets’ so your places can go to families on the reserve list. Any enquiries to Siân on 07506 342945, hello@manchesterbeesforestschool.co.uk.
 Christmas with Manchester Parent Champions
Light Trail
The Light Trail at Heaton Park promises a twinkling walk through a stunning setting.
Join Manchester Parent Champions with Regen.me.uk on Thursday 28th December at 5.45pm. Send ONE text only any time on Monday 11th December, including: LIGHTS, names and ages (for all attendees), postcode and child’s SEND/disability to 07305 064229.
Sample text: LIGHTS, John Smith (42), David Smith (10), Sarah Smith (8), M8 9PY, David autistic.
First come, first served. Texts sent before 11th December won’t be counted. Includes parking. Wrap up warm it’s going to be a cold one!
Pizza Party
On the same day as the Light Trail, there’ll be a SEND Lunch Takeover at Pizza Express just for Manchester SEND families. It's with Manchester Parent Champions and Regen.me.uk and is on Thursday 28th December at 1pm, at Pizza Express, Corn Exchange Manchester City Centre. There will be a starter and main course per person or a mains and dessert. Water and juice will be available on the table. Send ONE text only on Monday 18th December from 12 noon including: PIZZA, names and ages (for all attendees), postcode and child’s SEND/disability to 07305 064229.
Sample text: PIZZA John Smith (42), David Smith (10), Sarah Smith (8), M8 9PY, David autistic.
First come, first served. Texts sent before 12 noon on 18th December won’t be counted.
Christmas with your carers forum
Party time
Book now for Manchester Parent Carer Forum’s (MPCF) SEND-friendly Christmas Party on Sunday, 10th December, 1.30 to 3.30pm at Moss Side Millenium Powerhouse M14 4SL. It’s for SEND families living in the Manchester City Council area. There will be loads of fun stuff, including seasonal arts and crafts, Twiddles (ribbons for those who like to stim), and a special festive guest. There’ll also be plenty of snacks and a relaxed screening of a Christmas-themed movie. Booking essential through Eventbrite.
Family Bowling
There will be two sessions of Inclusive Family Bowling with MPCF for SEND families living in the Manchester City Council area. They’re at Ten Pin, Manchester Printworks, M4 2BS. Booking opens at 6pm this evening (6th December).
The venue is fully accessible and there will be ball ramps available for those that need them.
Santa at The Claremont
On Saturday 16th December, from 3pm until 7pm, Santa will be stopping at The Claremont (124 Claremont Rd, Manchester M14 4RR) in Moss Side to hear your Christmas wishes. There'll be hot food and a DJ too. SEND families living in the Manchester City Council area all welcome! No booking required - just turn up!
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Festive fun in the city
Manchester Central Library is holding their annual fun-packed day of Christmas entertainment, featuring music, crafts, refreshments, and special guests. It’s Saturday 16th December 2023, 10am–4pm. Find out more activities in the Libraries’ November children and families newsletter and check out the Manchester City Council website for what's on in the city centre.
Over Christmas, there are lots of places where kids can eat for free or for a £1. Check out Money Saving Central.
New year theatre
TripleC, a disabled-led creative arts organisation, are offering a free Youth Theatre in January designed for deaf, disabled and neurodivergent young people aged 8 to 16 with a passion for the performing arts. It starts on Monday 15th January 2024 at 53two in the city centre, Arch 19, Watson St M3 4LP. The sessions, led by professional actors and directors, will be in two age groups: 8-11 years, 4.30-5.30pm and 12-16 years, 6-7.30pm. Find out more about the Youth Theatre and sign up for the first term through Eventbrite.
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Free travel training
The Christmas holidays are coming up. It’s a great time for young people with SEND aged 14 to 25 to do our free travel training. With up to six one-to one sessions, it’s a chance to gain confidence and independence in going to the cinema, the shops or meeting up with friends. They will also get useful information, e.g. travel cards, CEA cards and Our Pass. To find out more or to register, contact Olivia at Greater Manchester Youth Network (GMYN) at olivia.malone@gmyn.co.uk, 07708 028312. Part of the SEND Community Offer for young people in the Manchester City Council area.
Social media survey
Caprice, our intern at SENDCode commissioned through the Local Offer, has put together a short questionnaire to find out how the city’s young people with SEND aged 14-25 use social media. This will help her tailor our social media content to their needs and interests. Please encourage young people to fill out the form. Thank you!
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AMP is re-vamped
RevAMP is a project for music lovers, makers and shakers aged 18-30 who identify as disabled. It’s a chance to create music collaboratively, as well as hosting performances and events with other like-minded people. RevAMP takes place at Contact every other Wednesday from 6-7.30pm. To sign up, complete the online form or contact Engagement Manager Beth Rigby, bethrigby@contactmcr.com, 07776 511255.
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Festive gathering with MPCF
There will be a Festive Parent/Carer Get-together with Manchester Parent Carer Forum on Friday 15th December, 10.30am-12.30pm at Moss Side Powerhouse M14 4SL. Enjoy some festive food and fun with fellow parents/carers. Booking required through Eventbrite (link due to go live).
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Tenth Anniversary Celebration
DATE FOR YOUR DIARY! Manchester Parent Champions will be celebrating their 10 year anniversary! Drop in on Tuesday 23rd January 2024, 10am-2pm (lunch included) at the Friends Meeting House, Manchester City Centre, 6 Mount Street, M2 5NS. It's a special event to showcase their work, past and present, and the outstanding achievements and impact over the last 10 years. It’ll also be a chance to catch up with everybody for a good old laugh and natter, including (hopefully) founding member, the amazing Geraldine Hills.
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New Autism Navigator
There is a new Autism Navigator in Manchester’s Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). Karen Woodhouse will be working city-wide, offering support and signposting to parents/carers of children who have received an autism diagnosis. Karen is working with Manchester Parent Carer Forum (MPCF) to offer the Social Communication Pathway Post Diagnostic Workshops. She is a parent carer herself and volunteers with MPCF, as well as Manchester SPACE Group. Look out for her at our monthly drop ins. In the meantime, check out the CAMHS Social Communication Pathway Padlet. It contains lots of useful information and resources which might be useful both before and after an assessment. Contact: mcr.autismnavigator@mft.nhs.uk
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Passenger Assistant roles
Do you know someone who would make a great Passenger Assistant? The friendly Home to School Transport team are looking for people to support children with SEND on their journey to and from school. The salary is from £22,366 pro rata, working 16 hours per week, school term-time only. You don’t need to drive as transport is provided, but a passion for working with children and young people is essential. The team are particularly interested to hear from applicants who live in Wythenshawe and the surrounding areas. If you have questions, email Sally at sally.egginton@manchester.gov.uk or call 0161 234 3161. Apply by 10th December 2023 at www.manchester.gov.uk/passenger-assistant
School workshop
There are a few places left for ‘Exploring Types of School and Support for Children with SEND’. It's a free workshop with Manchester Parent Carer Forum and educational psychologists from One Education on Monday 8th January 2024, 10.45am-1pm, lunch included, at Moss Millennium Powerhouse, 140 Raby St, Moss Side, Manchester M14 4SL. It’s for parents/carers of children and young people with SEND who live in the Manchester City Council area. Booking required through Eventbrite.
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Free Early Years courses
Manchester is one of the Local Authorities involved with Dingley’s Promise Early Years Inclusion Programme. If your child’s early years setting is in the Manchester City Council area, encourage them to sign up if they haven’t already. The programme is a free series of ten courses over five years, aimed at empowering early years practitioners to deliver inclusive practices. You can find course information at Dingley’s Promise website and learn more from Manchester Parent Carer Forum who are involved in this work.
Cost of living support
Don’t forget, Manchester City Council has a free telephone line offering support and advice around benefits and rent, debt and paying bills, food support and staying warm. Call 0800 023 2692 or text 07860 022876, Monday to Friday, 9am-4.30pm. There is also the Council's Help with the cost of living crisis information hub. Carers Manchester has a Cost of Living Blog which is regularly updated with the latest news.
A warm welcome
Every library in Manchester is a warm, safe and free space that residents of all ages can come in and stay warm all day in a positive environment. There are hot drinks, comfortable sitting, newspapers, free internet and wifi. You can also use this website https://www.warmwelcome.uk/find-a-space to find a warm space near you.
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Youth Buzz Awards 2024
The Youth Buzz Awards 2024 nominations are now live. The awards will take place next March, celebrating the achievements of young people across Manchester during the last year. Nominees must be aged 11-19 years old (up to 25 with special educational needs and disability and/or care leavers) and be either a resident living in Manchester or accessing educational provision or employment in the city. Closing date for entries: January 14th 2024
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