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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
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Our next drop in is on Tuesday 9th July at Manchester Settlement. Here’s the event information:
Address - Manchester Settlement, New Roundhouse, Openshaw, 1328-1330, Ashton Old Road, Openshaw, Manchester M11 1JG. It’s on a main road, with visible signage on the building.
Getting there by public transport - The 219 bus from Manchester Piccadilly Gardens and Piccadilly Station pulls up outside the building. The nearest Metrolink stop is Droylsden, a 10-15 minute walk. The nearest train station is Gorton, a 10 minute walk. Use TfGM’s Journey Planner to help you plan your route.
Parking - There is no car park but there is plentiful free parking on the streets to the rear of the building.
On arrival - It’s an accessible building. Sign in at reception. You’ll need to use stairs or a lift to get to the first floor.
Who will be there - See our Drop In page for a list of the groups and services likely to be at the event.
We have a break from drop ins during the month of August,
starting again in September.
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In April, we shared the exciting news that Manchester has been chosen by the Department for Education to lead the North West Change Programme Partnership. We’re testing out a national standardised Education, Care and Health Plan (EHCP) template and an Advisory Tailored List which aims to give families with an EHCP plan a more informed choice when choosing a school or setting. We will also be working on other parts of the Change Programme. Look out for an update event in the autumn term being planned in co-production with parent/carer groups and young people. In the meantime, keep up to date by following the Manchester Local Offer SEND and Alternative Provision change Programme Partnership webpage. Manchester Parent Carer Forum also have an information hub. Your input is valuable throughout the testing, so if you'd like to contribute, come along to one of the monthly Local Offer drop ins. If you have any general queries about the Change Programme in Manchester, please feel invited to contact the team at cpp@manchester.gov.uk.
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We have two short animated videos explaining the Change Programme for a younger audience: Children and Age 14-25s.
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The summer holidays are on the horizon! We’ve started sharing the fantastic Summer SEND Community Offer for families. More to come in the following weeks, including activities at aimed at 16+.
The latest newsletter has the first round of bookings with The SPACE Group and 4CT. Here are quick links to their six-week programme, offered with the support of Manchester Parent Carer Forum, the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme and the Local Offer:
If the activities provided are not accessible to you because of cost, physical access or any other reason, please don't hesitate to speak to 4CT on 0161 230 1420 or email info@4ct.org.uk. The aim is to provide something for everyone.
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Relaxed cinema with MPCF
The next relaxed cinema showing with Manchester Parent Carer Forum is ‘Wonka’ (PG). It’s for SEND families living in the Manchester City Council area and is on Sunday 30th of June, 11am to 1pm at Grub cinema in the city centre. Find out how to book on the MPCF website. MPCF now have a SEND Community Offer Film Club. If you would like to join to get regular updates about the monthly cinema sessions, including the voting polls for the next film and when bookings open, sign up here: https://bit.ly/mpcf-film-club.
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Deaf sport role models
Deaf Sport Role Models is a fantastic event coming up on Wednesday 10th July, 4.30-7.30pm at Manchester Deaf Centre, M13 9GH. There will be d/Deaf sports professionals sharing their stories of how they built their careers, plus games, lots of fun - and free food too. The event is for 12-24 year olds, HoH, siblings, CODAs and all communication methods welcome. Book free places on Eventbrite. Find BSL version of this information on the Deaf Centre’s Facebook page.
See Manchester Deaf Centre’s Children and Young People’s Service Eventbrite page for more events!
Bee You
‘Bee you’ is a new youth club for young people with SEND aged 11-16, Tuesday 5-7pm at Levenshulme Inspire, 747 Stockport Road, M19 3AR. It’s a small and welcoming youth club with activities like cooking, music, and games in a quiet and relaxing atmosphere. Call the centre on 0161 850 5717 to book places or find out more.
Be Free Not Afraid
Creative Together Manchester have an accessible music festival on Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th July in the Swan Buildings opposite Band on the Wall. This year’s theme is ‘Be Free Not Afraid’. For young adults interested in watching or performing, check out their latest interactive newsletter (there are two pages about the festival around the middle).
Back Up Taster Day
Back Up is the only charity in the UK with dedicated services for children and young people with a spinal cord injury. On Sunday 10th August at The Edge, Riveredge, Wigan WN3 5AB, they are holding a free Taster Day of what they offer. Places are limited so it’s best to apply soon: https://www.backuptrust.org.uk/support-for-you/children-young-people/children-and-young-peoples-taster-day. You can also register with Back Up to get more information on their services.
Date for your diary: Manchester Day returns on Saturday 27th July 2024
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Coffee mornings
MPCF at the Co-op
If you have children at Co-op Academy Manchester, join Manchester Parent Carer Forum 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 next session is on Thursday 27th June, 9.30-10.30am, at the Academy on Plant Hill Road, Higher Blackley M9 0WQ. Find out more on the Co-op Academy website. The one after is Thursday 18th July at the same time.
Manchester Parent Champions
Parents/carers are invited to join Manchester Parent Champions at a SEND Coffee morning on Tuesday 2nd July, 10.30am-12pm, at Moss Side Leisure, Centre, Hulme, M15 5NN. Have a brew, share your experiences and learn from each other. It’s also a way of finding out more about the support on offer for SEND children and their families in Manchester. You're encouraged to bob along at the beginning if you can, but you're also welcome to drop in at any time. This is the first of regular coffee mornings with the Parent Champions.
Wythenshawe support
Wythenshawe has a new SEND drop in on the last Saturday of every month. The next one is 10-11.30am on Saturday 29th June 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 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. For more information, you’re invited to get in touch: MindfulMe.Therapies@outlook.com, 07515 956623. Future dates: Saturday 27th July.
Walk and talk for dads
Dad Matters have a free walk and talk for any dad in Manchester, and their babies and children, on Saturday 29th June 10am-12pm in Wythenshawe Park. This is a great opportunity for dads to meet other fathers in a supportive and open environment whilst learning about the support that Dad Matters can offer. The booking form is at the bottom of this page: https://dadmatters.org.uk/events/.
There is also the SEND Dads Society which meets at Heaton Park Golf Club. Find out more on our directory entry.
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Baby Week
Manchester’s Baby Week is back, Monday 8th to Saturday 13th July. This six-day programme is filled with free, fun activities and events that are designed to support your child's development from conception to 2 years old. There's something for everyone in venues across the city, including workshops, play sessions, Family Fun Days in parks and much more. The events were carefully designed to help your child learn, all whilst having a blast. See what’s on near you: www.manchester.gov.uk/Baby-Week
Be Election ready
My Vote My Voice is on a mission to encourage people with learning disabilities and autistic people to vote in the 2024 General Election on Thursday 4th July. Voting can be a difficult process to follow for some. Here’s a quick and easy step-by-step guide on how to vote. See Manchester City Council’s menu for local information.
Walk in Jasper's Shoes
‘Jasper Pickles Climbs Everest’ is a new audio story exploring the health inequalities of autistic people and people with learning disabilities. Take a walk in Jasper’s shoes as he makes an intrepid journey to the hospital. The audio contains the voices of people with lived experience and is a co-production between Made by Mortals and charity MacIntyre. You can find a captioned version on You Tube or listen via SoundCloud.
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