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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 Wednesday 12th February at the Moss Side Powerhouse, 140 Raby Street, M14 4SL. These monthly free events are for parents/carers and young people with SEND up to 25 in the Manchester City Council area. They offer a chance to talk to a range of services and get support. Professionals welcome, too. Look out for the drop in news bulletin nearer the time.
Future Drop Ins, 10am-12 noon:
Wednesday 12th March, Manchester College, Openshaw
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Manchester SEND Survey
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There’s still time to take part in the city’s annual SEND survey!
- Share your views on how well Manchester City Council and health partners meet your children’s needs
- Help make things better for the city’s families
- Be in with a chance of winning one of five £30 shopping vouchers
Your voice matters! It’ll take around 15 minutes to have your say. It really helps to make a difference - thank you!
Run by Manchester Parent Carer Forum (MPCF). Survey ends Friday 31st January 2025.
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Call for contributions
There's an important call for evidence from the House of Commons Committee for Education. Do you have ideas about how to sort out the urgent problems with SEND education? They want to hear from children and young people with SEND, parents and carers, professionals, schools and organisations. We suggest looking at this EasyRead information as it’s easier to understand how to contribute. Otherwise, here is more detailed information. The deadline is Thursday 30th January 2025 at 6pm. If you need any support with this, call 020 7219 8805.
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Relaxed cinema
The next relaxed cinema showing with Manchester Parent Carer Forum is The Wild Robot (U) on Sunday 9th February, 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. This activity is for SEND families living in the Manchester City Council area. Book through the link on this MPCF information about the showing.
Travel training for 14-25s
Manchester Local Offer’s free Travel Training Programme offers opportunities for young people to gain confidence and independence in travelling around Manchester and beyond. It’s for disabled and neurodivergent young people aged 14-25 who live in the Manchester City Council area, offering one-to-one support in accessing leisure activities. There are up to six sessions, each session lasting around three hours. Apply through the Short Breaks/Local Offer team. Please email shortbreaks@manchester.gov.uk, putting ‘Travel training’ in the subject line. You can also phone 0161 219 2125 or text Olivia at Greater Manchester Youth Network on 07708 028312.
Mcr Social
MCR Social is a fantastic programme supporting disabled and neurodivergent young people aged 14-17 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. 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, get in touch with Trystan at Greater Manchester Youth Network - trystan.kent@gmyn.co.uk, 07708 022320.
Weekly cycling
Did you know there are free weekly cycling sessions for young people aged 11-16 with SEND or emotional and mental health needs, living in the Manchester City Council area? They’re every Saturday 11am-3pm, meeting at the Procter Learning Centre, Hulme Street, Off Jackson Crescent M15 5EF. Bikes, helmets and other safety equipment are provided for cycle routes across Greater Manchester, along with regular bike maintenance sessions. All young people take part in a pre-ride induction before attending Saturday rides but need to be competent riders. Contact Roger Newell at MANCCYCLES for more information and to book places – info@manccycles.co.uk, 07970 922132.
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SEND Tag rugby
There are free SEND Tag Rugby sessions designed for young people aged 10 and upwards, wherever they live. They take place every Saturday, 10-11am, with refreshments afterwards, at Bowdon Rugby Club, Clay Lane, Timperley, Altrincham WA15 7AF (plenty of parking). Tag Rugby is a non-contact team game in which each player wears shorts with Velcro patches and two tags attached to them. Defenders attempt to prevent others from scoring by ‘tagging’ - pulling one of their tags off. These fun, inclusive sessions are a fantastic way to improve fitness, build confidence, and make new friends. Bowdon Bears welcomes all children and young adults above 10, whatever their ability, as well as siblings. Email Mike Carr at mixedabilityrugby@bowdonrufc.com or call 07872 412787.
Accessible art
Z-Arts have a new free accessible art session. It’s called ‘Creative Care – Art for Kids with Additional Needs’ and is every other Saturday, 10am, at Z-Arts, 335 Stretford Road Hulme, M15 5ZA. It’s for children aged 8 to 16 and is led by Kirsty Gbasai, an artist and freelance creative practitioner. During each session, children have the chance to explore a range of art techniques, from painting and drawing to collage and mixed media. They are encouraged to express their own ideas and experiment in a supportive and creative environment. For more information, including dates, and booking, see the Z-Arts website. Please get in touch with Tabitha at tabitha@z-arts.org or 0161 697 5916 if you have any questions.
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 forthcoming sessions.
Chinese New Year
Celebrate Chinese New Year in Manchester as the city welcomes the Year of The Snake. Taking place over Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd February, it features the famous red lanterns, live performances, stalls and funfair, plus the legendary Dragon Parade. Find out more on Visit Manchester.
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The We Love MCR Charity has announced the re-opening of the Manchester's Rising Stars Fund. It supports young people across the city whose family or personal circumstances mean they face financial barriers. Grants up to £5,000 provide vital equipment, training and resources so that young people aged 15-22 (up to 25 if care experienced or a young person with SEND) can take their next steps to success in work, qualifications or entrepreneurship. Learn more about applying to the Rising Stars Fund. Make sure you read the detailed guidance. If you have any questions or need any guidance or adjustments to support you in applying, please feel welcome to contact welovemcrcharity@manchester.gov.uk. The picture shows Asbah who has been supported in her ambitions to be a dentist.
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MPCF gatherings
The next Manchester Parent Carer Forum Coffee Morning is Friday 24th January, 10am-12pm at Martenscroft Children’s Centre, M15 6PA. Please book through MPCF.
MPCF also has a free session coming up on Wednesday 29th January with students from the University of Law. It's 'Family Law – Looked After Children'. Book here.
Museum opportunity
The Science and Industry Museum is currently upgrading their Power Hall which is due to reopen in Summer 2025. They want help to make the building and its activities more accessible to families of deaf, disabled and neurodivergent children and young people. There’s a focus group, involving four sessions:
- Two online discussions with parents/carers only
- Two in-person meetups with the family
You’ll be given an incentive for your time but will need to commit to all four sessions. If you’re interested, there’s a short application form. You’ll find it on the Manchester Parent Carer Forum website, along with more information on the project. Please apply by 3pm on Friday 24th January.
Free workshops
Is your child on the Social Communication Pathway (SCP) waiting list with Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust? If yes, you can now join free parents/carers workshops. Topics cover: neurodiversity and wellbeing, communication differences, sensory differences, and understanding and working with the education system. Check out Manchester Parent Carer Forum for sessions coming up in the next few months.
Autism workshops
Greater Manchester Autism Consortium (GMAC) offer a range of free seminars and groups. See their Events. Click on the flyer of the seminar you would like to attend, then click on the Eventbrite link to book your place.
New travel guide
There is a new helpful guide around accessible travel, co-developed with members of the South Manchester Transport Working Group. It has a lot of city-wide information, including Travel pass for disabled people, Disabled person’s railcard, Patient Transport Service and Transport for Sick Children. Download your copy.
Sibs support
Sibs is a national charity supporting brothers and sisters of disabled children and adults. Here are some current activities aimed at adult siblings:
Sibs also has lots of information and resources for parents and professionals,
including running a group for young siblings.
Mums Matter
Mums Matter is a course for Manchester mums with a child under two who are struggling with mild to moderate mental health conditions or feeling overwhelmed or lonely. It’s a chance to have honest conversations whilst learning tools to support wellbeing. There’s also an online peer support group every Monday. Learn more on Manchester Mind’s website.
Hardship Hub
If you are looking for support in difficult times, the North West Hardship Hub can direct you. This online resource tells you what’s available in your area, including things like foodbanks, money advice and energy savings.
Find more support and resources in our SEND Information Hub:
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There is also Manchester City Council's - Help with the cost of living crisis
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