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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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SEND Matters - Places left! |
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Open to anyone in Manchester with an interest in SEND matters
Come and join us at a free event on Tuesday 17th September, 10am till 2pm at The Friends Meeting House, 6 Mount Street, M2 5NS, lunch included.
It’s a great opportunity to:
- Hear about the Change Programme
- Find out about the SEND offer in Manchester
- Meet a range of groups and services, including parent carer groups, young carers, Family Hubs, and Child Friendly city/Children’s Rights
- Share your views
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A limited number of creche places are available for pre-school children - call the Specialist Resource Team on 0161 219 2125
Also call the team if you are having difficulty registering on Eventbrite
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Our next Local Offer drop in is on Wednesday 25th September at Woodhouse Park Lifestyle Centre, Portway Manchester, Wythenshawe, M22 1QW, 10am-12pm. Look out for our drop in newsletter nearer the time.
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Future Drop Ins, 10am-12 noon:
Wednesday 16th October, Moss Side Power House
Wednesday 20th November, Ladybarn Community Hub
Wednesday 11th December, Manchester Youth Zone
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September Cinema Club
The next relaxed cinema showing with Manchester Parent Carer Forum is on Saturday 28th September, 11am to 1pm at Grub Cinema in the city centre. You can vote on which film you would like to see in the poll, closing at 12 noon on Wednesday 11th September. Booking opens later on Wednesday 11th at 3pm through Eventbrite.
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. Part of the SEND Community Offer for families living in the city of Manchester.
Weekly swim
There is a free weekly inclusive swim at the Abraham Moss Leisure Centre in Crumpsall, M8 5UF, for families living in the Manchester City Council area. Sessions are every Saturday 12-2pm. The swim provides a calmer environment for children and young people with SEND. Booking is arranged through The SPACE Group. It opens every Monday at 9am and closes on Wednesday at 6pm for the swimming session on the Saturday that week, eg. 9am Monday 16th September to 6pm Wednesday 18th September for the swimming session on Saturday 21st September. Text the word SWIMMING to 07749 116211 with the full names of anyone going in the pool, the children’s date of birth, postcode and preferred time 12-1pm or 1-2pm. Part of the SEND Community Offer.
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HideOut Sunday Club
The HideOut Youth Zone in Gorton, M12 5PX, has a Sunday Club for young people that identify as having a disability or additional needs – Juniors (8-12 years) 11am-1pm, Seniors (13 up to 25 with additional needs) 12-3pm. Entry is 50p and hot food is free. Activities include sports, climbing, arts and crafts, sensory activities, life skills and independence and more. Before joining the sessions, young people are invited to a new members induction on the second Sunday of every month, 11.30am-12.30pm. It's a chance to meet the team, have a tour of the building, learn more about the offer, and chat about support.
HENSHAWS SUPPORT: On the last Sunday session of every month, there is additional support from Henshaws, 11am-3pm, for visually impaired children and young people (8-25 years). See Henshaws’ Events page to book places for this.
Free paranetball
There’s a fantastic free ParaNetball offer for young people (11-25yrs) who are deaf or disabled. It’s for both boys and girls, with qualified coaches, as part of a partnership between Manchester Thunder and the famous Manchester drinks brand Vimto. Siblings can join in too. There are two sessions:
- 1st Saturday of the Month: 10-11am, Wright Robinson College, Off Falmer Road, Abbey Hey Lane, M18 8RL (Upstairs sports hall - lift available)
- 3rd Saturday of the Month: 10-11am, Woodhouse Park Lifestyle Centre, Portway, Wythenshawe, M22 1QW
Please book onto sessions in advance through the website.
Open doors to creativity
Open Doors is a free monthly creative workshop especially for autistic children and their families and carers. It's a chance to get hands on with a variety of making activities, explore the art gallery or just spend time together in the children’s space. A quiet room is available. Sessions are run by Autism for the Arts, supported by gallery staff. The next session is Saturday 14th September, 10am-12pm. Arrive any time between 10-11.30am. Book through Eventbrite and find more information on the Gallery website.
Free relaxed concerts
Chetham’s School of Music new season of free relaxed performances kicks off on Wednesday 2nd October at 1.30pm (doors open at 1pm). There’s no dress code, you don’t need to know Beethoven from Bach and you won’t be shushed by an usher. There will be tea, coffee and cake available on a donation basis and the doors will stay open till 3pm so the audience can stay behind after each concert for post-concert engagement activity. Future dates: Wednesday 6th November, Wednesday 4th December. Find out more and book.
Saturday at Central Library
Join The Lowry at Central Library this Saturday 14th September, 12-4pm in the Library Performance Space on the ground floor and get involved in some fantastic fun for all the family. From arts and crafts, to interactive storytelling, to engaging workshops, there’s plenty to get involved in, including a special film screening of a family classic. Free – just drop in!
For more free or low cost activities aimed at disabled and neurodivergent children and young people, see our Stuff to do - Highlights.
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Manchester SEND survey
It’s the annual SEND survey! Do you have children aged 0-25 with special educational needs and/or disabilities? Do they live or access education, health or social care services in Manchester? If it’s YES to both questions, this is your chance to share your views on how well Manchester City Council and health partners meet your children’s needs and improve life for the city’s families. The survey takes about 15 minutes. If you find it difficult to do it, please let Manchester Parent Carer Forum know. As a thank you, they will be raffling off five £30 shopping vouchers!
Early Years feedback
We would like your help in improving services for children with SEND in the Early Years (age 0 to 5 years). The Council has commissioned a review of inclusive practice in the services it provides to look at what’s working and what could be better. There are a number of ways you can contribute, including:
- Online conversations (Thursday 26th September, 10-11.30am and 7-8.30pm)
- By email
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Doing a survey (By 27th September)
Find out more on MPCF’s website. Any input you can offer is appreciated.
Counting the costs
Contact’s Counting the Costs survey is back! It’s a chance to have your voice heard about the financial impact of having disabled children. The survey looks at everything from extra costs to a parent carer’s capacity to take part in paid work. Your responses will help Contact campaign for stronger financial support from UK governments and energy companies. Allow 20 minutes. Closes 23rd September.
Disability hate crime
United Response are gathering the lived experiences of disabled people who’ve faced harassment and victimisation on public transport. The information they collect will help them identify gaps in the system, share human stories, and push the Government to make changes that are so urgently needed. The survey is running until 26th September, with a chance to win one of ten £100 Amazon vouchers.
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Free school workshop
This free workshop with Manchester Parent Carer Forum, delivered by educational psychologists from One Education, aims to explain the different types of school and education support available to children and young people with SEND in the city, including mainstream and specialist schools:
Let's Get Digital
Do you or someone you know struggle to use the internet or a device? Manchester’s Digital Champion volunteers will gladly provide free phone or email support tailored to your needs. Whether it’s help with reading emails, looking up information online, keeping connected to loved ones or anything else digital, don’t hesitate to reach out. Text your name to 07860 064128 or email digitalinclusion@manchester.gov.uk.
Find more support at Let’s Get Digital. This includes:
Universal Credit migration
Statistics released by the DWP show that around a third of all claimants of legacy benefits who were sent a Universal Credit migration notice failed to make a successful claim for Universal Credit and had their legacy benefits terminated. If you have received a letter asking you to apply for Universal Credit and you have questions, concerns or need help making the claim, get in touch with Carers Manchester Benefits Adviser via The Contact Point.
Autism podcasts
Autism Central has a new podcast, bringing together autistic people, parents, carers and professionals to talk about different aspects of autism. The first series, hosted by Holly Sprake-Hill, a neurodivergent occupational therapist, focused on sensory processing. There is also the Quirky and Autistic Parenting Podcast, a funny, audience-driven show for parents and professionals.
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Kidz to Adultz returns to Manchester Central on Friday 11th October 2024, 9.30am-4pm. This fantastic free event is an inclusive, vibrant space dedicated to children and young people with disabilities or additional needs. There are 100+ specialist exhibitors, plus a fun filled programme of interactive sessions and activities, including a Gaming Zone, Wheelchair skills, Kidz Fun Hub, Storytime and Soft play area. There’s also a full CPD and educational seminar programme for professionals and parents.
If you would like to get our newsletters, find out how to sign up
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