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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 December drop in is in a different venue due to renovations at Manchester Youth Zone. It’s on Wednesday 11th December at the ITC Centre, 122 Waterloo Road, Cheetham Hill, Manchester M8 8AF. It’s a great opportunity to meet services and other parents/carers. Professionals welcome too. More to follow in our next drop in bulletin – coming out soon!
Future Drop Ins, 10am-12 noon:
Wednesday 15th January 2025 - Lifestyle Centre, Wythenshawe
Wednesday 12th February 2025 - Central Manchester (to be arranged)
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Thank you to everyone who came to the Change Programme event in the autumn. It was an opportunity to find out about that work, along with what's happening around SEND in Manchester. It was also a chance to give feedback and meet a range of services and groups, including parent carer groups.
Here are the slide presentations:
We also have workshop feedback, gathering together responses. This includes ‘What’s working well?’, ‘What’s not working well?’ and ‘What are the barriers?’. There were 16 themes identified which have been grouped together in 5 themes: Working together, Communication, Statutory Functions, Family Confidence and Trust, Effective inclusive systems.
The Change Programme Partnership is a national initiative helping to make sure children and young people get the right support, at the right time and place, wherever they live in the country. Manchester was chosen by the Department of Education to lead in the North West, working with Oldham, Rochdale and Trafford to test proposals in the SEND and Alternative Provision Improvement Plan. Find out more.
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Christmas cinema
The next relaxed cinema showing with Manchester Parent Carer Forum is the Christmas classic ‘Home Alone’ (PG) on Sunday 15th December, 11am to 1pm. Siblings without SEND are welcome to join this SEND-friendly screening where guests can get free popcorn. It’s at GRUB, 50 Red Bank, Cheetham Hill, M4 4HF. Book through Eventbrite. MPCF 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. This activity is for SEND families living in the Manchester City Council area.
Sensory rooms
Families have free use of the Sensory Room at Benchill Community Centre, Wythenshawe, over Christmas. Each slot is for 45 minutes and on the hour. It's Monday 23rd December, and Thursday 2nd and Friday 3rd January 2025. Drop in to the community centre or call 0161 946 9520 to book. Please be aware the centre closes between Christmas and the New Year. For families living in the Manchester City Council area.
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You can also spend time in the Sensory Rooms at Redbank House in Cheetham Hill over the Christmas holiday. There are slots available at various times between 9am-4pm (on the hour for 50 minutes) on Thursday 2nd and Friday 3rd January 2025. This includes the additional bigger room, bringing all the sensory equipment together with some soft play. This activity is for families living in the Manchester City Council area. Book directly with Redbank House on 0161 214 5959. Please be aware, the centre closes at the end of Friday 20th December, not opening again until Thursday 2nd January 2025.
If you don’t manage to get a January slot at either centre, it might be worth phoning on Thursday 2nd to see if any have become available.
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Christmas events
Manchester Deaf Centre
Manchester Deaf Centre has some Christmas events coming up for children and young people. See this Eventbrite link. If you haven’t joined activities before, there’s more about the service on the Centre’s website.
Christmas Parade
The city’s free Christmas Parade will be back, bigger and better than ever on Sunday 8th December at 1pm. Come together with family and friends to revel in the sights, sounds, and sparkle of Christmas in the city centre. Find out more about the parade and other festivities in the city.
Central Library
Manchester Libraries have a free fun-packed day of Christmas entertainment, featuring music, crafts, refreshments, and special guests. It’s at Central Library in the Performance Space, Saturday 14th December, 10am-4pm. No need to book – just drop in!
Inclusive Cycling Experience
Would you like to loan an adapted bike for free? The Inclusive Cycling Experience offers free standard and non-standard cycles for Greater Manchester residents aged 16+ with long-term health conditions, disabilities and sensory impairments, as well as parents/carers and siblings. You are invited to weekly sessions that allow you to trial a range of cycles – including tricycles, handcycles and tandems - and build your confidence. You can then loan a cycle of your choice from one day to a whole month - all for free. All cycles are electric assisted, giving that extra power but can be ridden as manual cycles too. They also have a range of adaptations to support individuals with reduced joint mobility and one-sided weaknesses. Siblings can also borrow cycles providing they're over the age of 18. Find out more and book one of the December sessions.
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We said our goodbyes this week to Geraldine Hills MBE. Geraldine – who passed away at the end of October - was a major drive behind Manchester Parent Champions who celebrated their 10th anniversary earlier this year. The picture shows Geraldine at the gathering (to the left of Mayor Yasmine Dar) with her many friends.
As we shared our stories, so many talked about what an inspirational human being Geraldine was – a formidable force with a wicked sense of humour. Through her training and care, she supported parent carers to become more confident and stand up for the rights of their children - and their own rights too. As one person said, ‘She empowered you and spread empowerment wherever she went’.
Geraldine’s legacy lives on in all the parent carers guided and supported by her steady and determined hand. We would like to say a thank you from Manchester City Council. Geraldine played such a part in making Manchester Local Offer what it is, not only giving parent carers and young people a vital voice but cherishing the value of working together to make Manchester a better place for all our families.
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ADHD Youth Voice
Are you a young person aged 13 up to 25 in Greater Manchester with lived experience of ADHD? Would you like a say in the NHS services that affect you? If you answered YES to both questions, you might be interested in a new Youth Voice group. Meeting monthly from January 2025, it’s a fantastic way to build confidence, share ideas and meet others. As part of it, you’ll get to meet NHS commissioners who are eager to hear your feedback. There’s an introductory session on Wednesday 11th of December from 5pm-7pm at Greater Manchester Youth Network (GMYN), Greenfish Resource Centre, 46-50 Oldham Street, Manchester M4 1LE. Please contact Chloe Bettridge to find out more, chloe.bettridge@gmyn.co.uk, 07759 069777. If you are 16 and under, please ask your parent/carer to do this for you.
Young Technicians programme
Applications are now open for young people across Manchester to take part in the National Theatre’s Young Technicians programme at HOME. Are you interested in lighting, sound, video and automation? Aged between 13–19? Then this could be for you. It offers an exciting opportunity to develop your skills and learn about a variety of backstage and off-stage roles from top industry professionals. Applications encouraged from those underrepresented in technical theatre, including young people who identify as D/deaf or disabled. Closes: Monday 9th December. Find out more.
Find more opportunities for young people up to 25 in our Local Offer SEND Information Hub. There's stuff to do, work and training, having a say, free travel training - and much more!
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Calm clinics
There are a number of Calm Clinics for COVID and flu coming up, aimed at people over 18 with disabilities/additional needs. They are:
- Saturday 30th November, 10am to 2pm, Ross Place Day Centre, Aked Close, M12 4AN
- Saturday 7th December, 10am to 2pm, Heathfield Resource Centre, M40, 1LF
The clinics won’t be rushed. People can take a carer, friend or family member, have a drink and a sit down first, and there will be a quiet space. Make an appointment by calling the Gateway on 0161 947 0770 - they can book free taxis and a BSL interpreter if needed.
News on eVisas
On 31st December 2024, eVisas will replace physical immigration documents for almost all non-UK and non-Irish citizens. It won’t affect immigration status, but an eVisa might be needed to prove the right to work, rent or access services. People can apply late, but it’s best to take steps before the deadline. See this Government information on eVisas. While most Manchester residents will be able to navigate the eVisa application process by themselves, some may need additional support. Here is a list of organisations that have been funded to provide free help and information.
Learning opportunities
Take a look at the Manchester Adult Education Service (MAES) Community Learning Brochure for what’s coming up in January to March 2025. This includes free short courses: Skills for Parents, 5 Steps for Wellbeing, Get Ready to Volunteer and Intro to Talk English and ESOL. MAES also offer bespoke courses for schools and community organisations. Here’s the course/workshop request form if you would like them to offer something for your group or community.
Forum updates
Festive card contest
This Christmas season, MPCF are having a virtual card app on their website again so that people can send free virtual festive cards created by the SEND community to family and friends. They want your help for the cover designs! There are two categories:
- Younger Children - aged 11 and below
- Older Children and Young People - 12 and upwards
Three winners in each category will get a £10 ASDA or Amazon voucher. There are various ways of submitting entries – see the MPCF website for more information. Closes 12pm, Friday 29th November.
Neurodiversity in Education
If your child goes to any of the following schools, you are welcome to get in touch with MPCF about the Neurodiversity in Education project: Acacias Community Primary School, Barlow Hall Primary School, Charlestown Community Primary School, Co-op Academy Manchester, Christ the King RC Primary School, Didsbury High School, Levenshulme High School, Manchester Communication Academy, Parrs Wood High School, Rushbrook Primary Academy, Southern Cross, St. Matthew’s RC High School, Trinity CoE High School. Visit MPCF's website for more information.
Your experience matters
There’s still time to take part in the city’s annual SEND survey! 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 and MPCF will be raffling off five £30 shopping vouchers as a thank you for contributing.
DATE FOR YOUR DIARY:
The next MPCF Coffee Morning is Friday 24th January, 10am-12pm, at Martenscroft Children’s Centre, M15 6PA
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News in brief
- Free Money Matters online workshops are offered by Contact for North West Families. There’s one this Thursday 28th November at 10am and another on Thursday 5th December at 7pm. Book through Eventbrite.
- Access free SIM cards on Tuesday 3rd December, 11am-3pm, at Central Library, 1 St Peter’s Square, M2 5PD. The National Databank provides free mobile data, texts and minutes to those who need it most. Drop by and ask for support with accessing a SIM card. Here’s more information, including eligibility.
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City leisure survey
MCR Active want to hear from your family! What do you think of Manchester’s sports and leisure facilities? Is there an inclusive class or activity you’d like to see? If you don’t use leisure centres, what’s stopping you? Here is a link to the survey. There are opportunities throughout it to share what you think. If you prefer, you can email your responses to the questions - schoolswimming@mcractive.com. Your responses will help shape targeted sessions in the city. It’d be great to get lots of feedback from SEND families.
School Transport Strategy
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) invite you to take part in a consultation on the draft School Travel Strategy. The draft strategy sets out ambitions to boost the number of primary, secondary and further education students travelling via sustainable means by 2030. The consultation is open to everyone who lives or travels in Greater Manchester. You and your children and young people are particularly encouraged to share your views, experiences and ideas. Help to shape a transport system that works for you now and in the future. Here is the consultation link. Closes 26th January 2025.
City consultation
After 14 years of austerity, unfair cuts and increased costs, Manchester still faces a big budget gap between how much the city needs to spend on services next year and how much funding will be available. Your feedback on the savings options will help shape what happens next. Here's the link. Consultation closes at 5pm on Sunday 12th January 2025.
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