|
|
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 Wednesday 22nd May, 10am-12pm at Harpurhey Neighbourhood Project, Conran Street, Manchester, M9 5PR. Our usual venue, Manchester Youth Zone is having refurbishments, but we're just down the road. Look out for a drop in newsletter nearer the time with more information.
FUTURE DROP INS, 10am-12 noon:
Wednesday 12th June - Venue to be confirmed
Wednesday 10th July - Manchester College, Openshaw
August - Summer break
|
|
Roller skating sessions NEW!
The SPACE group Manchester and The Local Offer team have teamed up to offer monthly exclusive hire roller skating sessions! The first is Saturday 18th May 5-7pm at Ardwick Sports Hall, 225 Stockport Rd, M12 4DY. For a chance of free places, please text your name, children’s names plus their date of birth, and your postcode to 07749 116211 on Friday 26th April between 6-8pm. Please send only one text and within the time period. Any texts out of this time may not be responded to.
Free Travel Training for 14-25s
Our free A-Z Travel Training Programme offers 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 Manchester City Council area, offering one-to-one support in accessing leisure activities. That might be the cinema, going to the shops or meeting up with a friend. There are up to six sessions, each session lasting around three hours, depending on where the young person wants to go. They will also get useful information, e.g. travel cards, CEA cards and Our Pass. Register using this this form: https://forms.office.com/e/XvjhQq160p. To find out more, contact Olivia at Greater Manchester Youth Network (GMYN) at olivia.malone@gmyn.co.uk, 07708 028312.
MCR Social
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. The young person needs to live in the Manchester City Council area and is asked to apply with the support of an adult using this application form. If you have any questions, including accessibility around applying and taking part, get in touch with Trystan at Greater Manchester Youth Network - trystan.kent@gmyn.co.uk, 07708 022320.
|
|
Young 'uns multisports
 |
There are multisport sessions coming up for 5-10 year olds with SEND on Sunday mornings 9am-10.30am at Denmark Road Sports Centre, Ardwick, M15 6FG, £2 per session. Starting Sunday 12th May, they’re an opportunity to explore a range of sports and games in a fun way, especially basketball and cricket. Siblings welcome. There is some flexibility with the top age limit, but the general idea is that when children hit 10, they start transitioning into other sessions. This includes the Champions Sports Club on Friday evenings, 6-8pm, also at Denmark Road Sports Centre, aimed at 11 plus and including adults, £2. The first hour is a 'do what you choose' style session where people play a range of sports amongst themselves with support from the volunteer team; the second, a cricket session. No need to book for the sessions, but it’s helpful to let Jacob or Amlyn know you are coming for the first time – contact jacob@dosportuk.co.uk or alayton@lancashirecricket.co.uk, 07799 639838.
Mini Members Club
There’s a fully inclusive Mini Members Club for children aged 4 to 7 and their parents at Manchester Youth Zone in Harpurhey. Sessions are every Sunday 10.30am till 12 noon, including arts and crafts, sports, messy play and more - for just 50p per child. Snacks and refreshments provided and sibling’s welcome. No need to book. Please feel welcome to contact Tia for more information. Tia.kelly@manchesteryz.org or 0161 203 5333.
Frame running
Frame running is an adapted sport aimed at children, young people and adults with cerebral palsy who need a sports aid to help with running and their mobility and balance. They run using a three-wheeled frame, supported by a saddle and body plate. Frame running sessions for age 5 upwards are held on Wednesday evening 5–6.30pm in the indoor athletics hall at the Manchester Regional Arena (Etihad stadium), Gate 13 Etihad Campus, M11 3FF, £1.60 per session. There’s a selection of frames which are fitted to the person based on weight and height. Some regular frame runners buy their own equipment, but it isn’t necessary. Book a taster session by contacting Manchester Frame Running Hub at framerunningnw@gmail.com. Find out more - https://cpsport.org/frame-running/.
|
|
SEND Dads Society
Calling dads! There’s a new male social club for parents/carers of children and young people with Special Educational Needs or Disabilities (SEND) in Greater Manchester (GM). The SEND Dads Society is a space for support, signposting to services, and group activities like fundraising. It’s a group of men coming together to make a difference and be around others who are on a similar journey. They meet every Thursday of the month, 7.30-9pm at Heaton Park Golf Club, Middleton Road, Prestwich, Manchester M25 2SW. No need to book; just drop in. Facebook page - Send Dads Society, rochdalepcv@outlook.com, 07940 560655 (they are on WhatsApp too). Formed with the support of Love Golf UK, the National Network of Parent Carer Forums and Rochdale Parent Carers Voice.
Carers Leave Act
Carers in paid employment are now entitled to one week’s unpaid leave to fulfil their caring role. It starts from the first day of employment and entitles carers to take up to a week’s unpaid leave over 12 months to give or arrange care. Find out more from the charity Contact and in this government information.
Saturday SEND drop in
Wythenshawe has a new monthly SEND drop in. It’s the last Saturday of every month, 10-11.30am at the Family Hub, Crossacres, Poundswick Lane, Wythenshawe M22 9TA. Hosted by Mindful Me, it offers signposting to services as well as support from a newly appointed SEND navigator who has firsthand experience of navigating the system as a SEND parent. There’s a stay and play area for children so you can focus on getting support. Mindful Me are also offering children and young people’s yoga and mindfulness sessions in Wythenshawe over the next year. For more information, you’re invited to get in touch: MindfulMe.Therapies@outlook.com, 07515 956623.
Forum support
If you have children at Co-op Academy Manchester, join Manchester Parent Carer Forum (MPCF) at their monthly SEND coffee mornings. It's a great way to meet other parents and carers of children who go to the school, share feedback, and help shape the SEND offer. The first session is on Thursday 25th April, 9.30-10.30am, at the Academy on Plant Hill Road, Higher Blackley M9 0WQ. Find out more on the Co-op Academy website.
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. Check out MPCF’s website for sessions.
Join MPCF on Friday May 3rd, 10am-12, noon for a coffee morning at Martenscroft Nursery and Sure Start Centre in Hulme.
Take a break
Carefree offer low-cost short breaks in the UK for full time unpaid carers (30+ hours a week) over 18. After registering with them - or being referred -, you can browse the options and submit a request for a hotel on specific dates. Hotels donate 1-2 night breaks in a twin or double room, plus breakfast where possible, for you and a companion (adult or child, not the person you are caring for). There’s no charge for accommodation, just a £33 admin fee to help with the cost of operating their charity. Find out more on the Carefree website.
|
|
School uniform programme
Wood Street Mission are taking orders for free school uniform from Tuesday 7th May as part of their Smart Start programme. Uniform ranges from Reception to 16 years of age and is on a first come, first served basis. It is offered to families on low incomes who have had a referral to Wood Street Mission. Referral is by a professional who knows your family’s circumstances, like a social worker or health visitor. They need to send a form which can be found on the Referrers page. If you are already referred, contact Wood Street Mission for a Smart Start order form - 07895 375730 (phone number for uniform order enquiries only), referrals@woodstreetmission.org.uk. Here are more details on what to do.
New digital resource
There’s a new resource to help disabled people in Greater Manchester get online and access opportunities in the digital world. Greater Manchester Combined Authority has launched ‘Get Online Greater Manchester: for disabled people’, a comprehensive guide that signposts disabled people, and those supporting them, to organisations that can help overcome digital barriers.
Suicide awareness training
The Zero Suicide Alliance now offers free Autism and Suicide Awareness training. Co-produced with people from the autistic community and developed with funding and support from Greater Manchester Suicide Prevention Board, it can take up to an hour to complete, going at your own pace. It aims to share information about autism and suicide risk, share real experiences, and coach you through spotting the signs and supporting autistic people at risk.
Free autism talk
There is a free online Wellbeing Hub Monthly Talk from the Centre for Autism. Young people and the importance of self-understanding is on Thursday 16th May, 7-8.30pm and open to all. Book through the link.
Spring boosters
A spring Covid booster is being offered to those most at risk from the virus across the UK. Fewer people are entitled to a spring booster than were offered a jab during the autumn campaign. The eligible groups are: adults who will be aged 75 years and over by 30 June 2024, people in care homes for older adults and individuals aged six months and over who are immunosuppressed. If eligible, you can book the spring COVID-19 vaccine online or via the NHS App. You don't need to wait to be invited. Learn more in this NHS information which also tells you about walk in centres.
Job opportunity
Manchester People First are looking to employ a learning disabled adult as an Engagement Worker. Get an application form from Manchester People First, Mcrpeoplefirst@googlemail.com, 0161 839 3700 or download an application pack. Closing date: 12 noon, 10th May 2024.
|
|
|
The next election for Manchester residents is coming up on Thursday 2nd May 2024. If you have a postal vote, return it as soon as possible. If you are voting in person at a polling station, you need show photo ID, like a driving licence, Blue Badge or eligible travel card. Find out more about voting on the Manchester City Council website and in these easy read guides from Mencap.
If you would like to get our newsletters, find out how to sign up
|
|
|
|
|
