|
|
The latest news and updates for parents/carers
and children and young people 0-25 years with special educational needs
and disabilities (SEND) in the Manchester City Council area
|
|
|
Our next drop in is on Wednesday 7th February, 10am-12.00pm, at the HideOut in Gorton (1 Queens Avenue, Manchester, M12 5PX). These monthly free events are for parents/carers and young people with SEND up to 25 in the Manchester City Council area, offering a chance to talk to a range of services and get support. Look out for the drop in newsletter bulletin – coming soon!
Future drop ins, 10am-12 noon:
Wednesday 20th March, Woodhouse Park Lifestyle Centre, Wythenshawe
Wednesday 17th April, Moss Side Power House
|
|
MCR Social - NEW!
|
MCR Social is a fantastic new programme supporting disabled and neurodivergent young people aged 14-18 to access all that Manchester has to offer. Whether it’s live music, cinema, bowling or shopping, MCR Social arranges free entry with a volunteer to support the activity every step of the way. After an initial online meeting to plan some activities together, the young person gets up to six sessions, lasting up to six hours each. Excited about this? We are! We’re delighted at this new venture from the SEND Community Offer in collaboration with Greater Manchester Youth Network (GMYN). The young person needs to live in the Manchester City Council area and is asked to apply with the support of an adult – use this application form. If you have any questions, including accessibility around applying and taking part, get in touch with Trystan - trystan.kent@gmyn.co.uk, 07708 022320.
|
|
|
Relaxed cinema with MPCF
Booking for Manchester Parent Carer Forum’s next relaxed cinema screening is now open. It's for SEND families living in the Manchester City Council area, with showings at GRUB, an independent cinema venue in the Red Bank area of Manchester city centre. The next screening is on Sunday 28th January, 11am-1pm, and is the BAFTA nominated animation ‘Elemental’. For places, use the booking link.
|
|
Call for candidates
Calling young people passionate about youth voice! Are you aged 11-16 and live, study or work in Manchester? Could you help Manchester become a child friendly city? If the answer is yes, we encourage you to apply for the Manchester Youth Parliament Elections.
Manchester is recruiting three new Members of Youth Parliament to represent the city at local and national level from 2024-2026. This involves regular meetings with Manchester Youth Council and decision makers and working with Manchester’s young people for the next two years. To apply, get in touch with youthengagment@manchester.gov.uk or Arron Holloreran on 07946 191272. You could also talk to your school or youth group to see if they can support you.
- Apply by 8th February
- You will be informed on 12th February if you are on the shortlist to go forward to the Manchester Youth Parliament elections
- Voting takes place over a month, from 14th February to 14th March
- Results announced on 18th March
Find out more about Manchester Youth Council – Manchester City Council website, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
Buzz Awards - Last chance to nominate!
The Youth Buzz Awards 2024 deadline has been extended to Sunday 28th January. The awards will take place in 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 education or employment in the city.
The picture shows the city’s Changemakers who were nominated in the Making A Difference category at the 2020 awards. Sam Hills, on the far right, won the Young Achiever award!
Applications encouraged in the following categories:
- Climate Action award
- Play Project of the Year
- Making a difference Award
The Youth Buzz Awards team are looking for young people to get involved in planning and organising the awards night on Saturday 9th March 2024. Get in touch with Aaron Holleran, 07946 191272, Aaron.holleran@manchester.gov.uk.
News from Manchester People First
Accessible rave
Back for 2024, Under One Roof, an all inclusive rave with Manchester People First. It’s for 18+ only, on Thursday 29th February, 6-9pm at YES Nightclub, 38 Charles Street, M1 7DB in Manchester City Centre. With DJ’s Gina and Fat Britney. Get your tickets - £5 plus £1 booking fee. Free for carers. If you fancy DJ-ing at a future rave, get in touch Manchester People First, Mcrpeoplefirst@googlemail.com, 0161 839 3700.
Manchester People First Got Talent
Manchester People First’s yearly talent show is back for 2024 on Thursday 15th February, 11am-2.30pm, Manchester People First, 3 Broughton Street, Cheetham Hill M8 8RF. Lunch is included with prizes for the winners. You just need to be over 18, be learning disabled and from the city of Manchester. Bookings on a first come first served basis. Contact Mcrpeoplefirst@googlemail.com, 0161 839 3700.
Engagement Worker wanted
Manchester People First are looking to employ a learning disabled adult as an Engagement Worker. If you know someone who would like to make sure services for learning disabled adults in Manchester are good quality, this could be the job for them! Get an application form from Manchester People First, Mcrpeoplefirst@googlemail.com, 0161 839 3700 or download an application pack from the MPF website.
|
|
Moss Side youth club
Community Kitchen chef Roger is running a new free youth club in Hulme for young people aged 11+ with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). It involves cooking and eating at each session, as well as arts and crafts, and sports. The club is every Wednesday from 4.30-7.30pm at Procter Learning Centre, Hulme Street, Off Jackson Crescent M15 5EF. Booking essential - call Roger on 07970 922132. Funded by the Targeted Intervention Group (TIG).
Rugby star* scheme
The rugby star* scheme transforms the lives of children and young people aged 4-18 years experiencing adversity in childhood. In partnership with Sale Sharks Community Foundation, the scheme can link you to a local grassroots rugby club and support you and your family to enjoy the benefits of being part of the local rugby community. This includes support with the costs of playing rugby (transport, kit, food, tour costs). The scheme is especially keen to work with young people experiencing SEMH (social emotional and mental health) difficulties. To find out more, contact Tom Kenny, tom@starscheme.co.uk, 07528 483800, www.starscheme.co.uk.
Free climbing
Blochaus Climbing are currently offering free social prescribing climbing courses at their centre in Openshaw, followed by one month free membership. Priority is given to East Manchester residents. Participants are asked to commit to all sessions. They include:
Young people with mental health issues (High school age, not attending CAMHS): Saturdays, 3-4pm, 20th January, 27th January, 3rd February, 10th February.
Young women (14-25): Wednesdays 5-6pm, 24th January, 31st January, 7th February, 14th February.
Disabled adults: Saturdays, 3-4pm, 16th March, 23rd March, 30th March, 6th April. (Restrictions may apply depending on disability.)
Book through the online portal. The centre is at Unit 1, 33-34 Wood Street, Manchester, M11 2FB, with a café for parents/carers to hang out during the sessions. Any enquiries to Paul Brighouse, paul@blochausclimbing.com, 0161 231 8898.
Relaxed theatre group
The Palace and Opera House Relaxed Young Company is a friendly theatre group for autistic young people aged between 13 and 18. Sessions are delivered by Creative Learning specialists and use theatre techniques to support confidence building, teamwork skills and well-being. Sessions take place at Manchester’s Palace Theatre (97 Oxford Street, M1 6FT) on Mondays (term time) from 16.30-17.45pm. Sessions are paid for in half termly blocks which cost a total of £36 per child. Bursary places available for young people with a primary residence in Moss Side and Hulme. The group are welcoming new members for next half term, starting Monday 26th February. Email Grace at ManchesterCreativeLearning@theambassadors.com or call 0161 245 6635.
Free sensory workshop
Beat the winter blues using music and sensory exploration in a Free Sensory Workshop for children with SEND and their companions. It’s on Wednesday 31st January 4-5pm at Levenshulme Inspire, 747 Stockport Road, Manchester, M19 3AR. To book, contact Charlotte: charlotte.frances@lev-inspire.org.uk, 0161 676 8540. Healthy food packs provided.
|
|
News from MPCF
'Good Week' offer
Manchester City Council is keen to meet with parents and carers to discuss and co-produce a new pilot around improving preparation for adulthood outcomes for young people aged 19+ with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). Many young people leaving specialist college provision do not know what their next steps are. A ‘Good Week’ offer considers all aspects of a young person’s life – what activities they enjoy, who they like to spend time with, and what they will do each week to help them to thrive as an adult. ‘Co-producing the Preparing for Adulthood Good Week Offer’ is on Monday 12th February, 10am-12 noon, with lunch, at St Thomas Centre, Ardwick Green North Manchester, M12 6FZ. Find out more and how to book.
Autism workshops
The Social Communication Pathway (SCP) workshops are offered to parents and carers of children or young people who have received a formal diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Condition from Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust. The workshops rotate monthly between four topics: Autism and Well-being, Communication Workshop, Sensory Workshop, Understanding and Working with the Education System. Check out Manchester Parent Carer Forum’s website for sessions coming up in the next few months, including January 25th (Primary) and February 1st (Secondary).
Coffee morning
Join Manchester Parent Carer Forum (MPCF) on Friday 16th February, 10am-12 noon for a coffee morning at Martenscroft Nursery and Sure Start Centre in Hulme, 33 Epping Street, M15 6PA. It’s an opportunity to meet and chat to fellow parents and carers of children and young people with SEND in a relaxed and friendly setting. You will also learn about the work of Manchester Parent Carer Forum and find out how to get involved. Please book through MPCF.
News in brief
In a huge win for parent campaigner, Natalie Hay and Contact, the Schools Minister has agreed to update free school meals guidance. The changes will make clear that local authorities and schools are legally obliged to offer reasonable adjustments to children who can’t have their free school meal in the regular way.
There are free online training sessions for parents/carers on the Equality Act in the Early Years, provided by the Council for Disabled Children’s Early Years SEND team. Book through Eventbrite.
Andy Smith, Spectrum Gaming founder, will be doing a free online talk on Thursday 8th February, 7-8.30pm, about the importance of the autistic community and the hope that it can create. It’s part of the University of Reading's Autism Wellbeing Hub. Find out more and book.
The Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee has launched an online survey for its inquiry looking at what Government can do to ensure disabled people have access to accessible and adaptable housing in England. The deadline is 5pm on Friday, 15th February 2024.
|
|
|
Happy 10th anniversary to Manchester Parent Champions! What a fantastic gathering yesterday, celebrating all that you do and the partnership work in our city that makes such a difference to families. Thank you to Lord Mayor, Yasmine Dar, for coming to party with us, and big congratulations again to Geraldine Hills for her MBE, awarded for services to Children and Young People with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. We’re so proud of you!
|
|
|
|
|
