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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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Half term activities
Here are the half term activities with The Space Group, 4CT and Manchester Parent Carer Forum (MPCF), offered with the support of the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme.
Roller skating
Sunday 16th February, 12.30-1.30pm or 1.30-2.30pm, at Ardwick Sports Hall, Stockport Road, M12 4DY.
Outdoor adventure sessions
Monday 17th February, 10am-1pm or 2-5pm, at Horticultural Centre, near the main car park, Wythenshawe Park, M23 0AB, Aged 8+.
Tenpin bowling
Tuesday 18th February, 2pm or 3pm, Manchester Printworks, M4 2BS.
Lancaster Farm, Oldham
Wednesday 19th February, 11am-3pm. Coach leaving Grange Community Resource Centre, Pilgrim Drive, Beswick, M11 3TQ at 10.30am, returning at 3.30pm. Extra places booked for people making their own way. £5 per adult, free for children aged 0-17.
Captain America – Brave New World
Thursday 20th February, starting at 2pm, Didsbury Cineworld, M20 5PG. £5 per adult, free for children aged 0-17. Rating not yet confirmed.
Dogman
Saturday 22nd February, starting at 11am, Didsbury Cineworld, M20 5PG. £5 per adult, free for children 0-17. PG rating.
Roller skating
Sunday 23rd February, 12.30-1.30pm or 1.30-2.30pm, at Ardwick sports hall, Stockport Road, M12 4DY.
How to book
Face to face bookings will go live at the launch of the new SPACE Group central location on Friday 31st January, 10.30am-12.30pm, at Fallowfield Library, Platt Lane, M14 7FZ.
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There will be a second face to face booking session at the SPACE Group north session on Friday 7th February, 11am-1pm, at St George’s Community Centre, Bothwell Rd, Collyhurst, M40 7NY.
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Please bring CASH as there is no other payment method at this time.
Places are limited, so will initially be offered as one activity per household.
On Monday 10th February,
there will be alternative ways to book (Eventbrite and text).
These will be shared in the next newsletter.
SEND-friendly swims
Central Manchester
There are free inclusive swims at Moss Side Leisure Centre as part of the SEND Community Offer. Sessions are every Sunday 9-11.30am and are for families living in the Manchester City Council area. The swim provides a calm environment and a clear process from entry to the pool for children and young people with special needs and disabilities. Families can access the small pool and floats for family fun or use the main pool for lane swimming, when available. There’s no need to book – just turn up at the leisure centre. Free to all the family.
North Manchester
There is a free weekly inclusive swim at the Abraham Moss Leisure Centre, Crescent Road, Crumpsall, M8 5UF, for families living in the Manchester City Council area. There are two sessions every Saturday between 12-2pm. 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. (For example, 9am Monday 27th January to 6pm Wednesday 29th January for the swimming session on Saturday 1st February.) 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. Swimming is popular, so if you turn up without a confirmed booking you may not get in the pool.
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.
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Wheels for All hubs
Wheels for All delivers and supports inclusive low-cost cycling sessions across Greater Manchester. The charity runs two thriving weekly hubs which start again in February half term:
Each hub is equipped with a full fleet of adapted cycles, catering to a wide range of needs and ensuring everyone, from beginners to seasoned riders, can participate comfortably. Sessions are welcoming to all, including those with SEND or additional needs, offering a safe, supportive, and fun environment for every participant.
Free SEND cycling
There’s a free SEND cycling event on Thursday 20th February, 10am-12pm. It’s at the Sacred Heart Family Hub, Glencastle Road, Gorton, M18 7NE and includes bike demo, balance bikes for toddlers to try, adapted bikes for adults to try, bike related crafts and goodies, as well as cycling and SEND organisations. Places are limited so booking is essential. Call Sumayra on 07474 654100 by 6pm on Friday 14th February.
Cerebral Palsy football club
Cerebral Palsy United Football Club provide football opportunities for children (age 3 upwards) and adults who have Cerebral Palsy or/and Acquired brain injury. There are sessions most Saturdays at Partington Sports Village, Chapel Lane, Partington, M31 4ES. The club provides a safe and inclusive learning environment with FA and UEFA qualified coaches and play facilitators. There are sessions for all age groups running throughout the day, so email info@cpunited.co.uk to find out more. There are a number of training centres in the North West – see the website for locations.
Sensory dance performance
Hades and Persephone is a new free sensory dance theatre performance for young people with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD). There are performances between Friday 14th February and Friday 21st February at Work For Change, 41 Old Birley Street, Hulme, M15 5RF. The venue is directly opposite Hulme Community Garden Centre. Choreographed by Matthew Rawcliffe with original music by cellist and singer Lili Holland-Fricke and designed by Eliza Nelson. Book tickets through Eventbrite.
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.
Super duper fun
The Super Duper Family Festival is coming to Manchester, bringing four days of free half-term fun across the city. From Saturday 15th to Tuesday 18th February, Manchester will turn into a playground for all. Explore the Play Zones: The Playground, The Party, The Garden, The Carnival, The Arcade and The Sports Hall. See Visit Manchester for what’s on offer, plus more fun in the half term holiday.
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The SPACE Group have a new venue in central Manchester. They’ve moved from Burnage to Fallowfield Library, Platt Lane, M14 7FZ, meeting every other Friday from 10.30am-12.30pm.
This Friday 31st January sees the launch of the central venue at Fallowfield Library. All parents and carers welcome. Meet The SPACE Group and find out how they can support you and your family. You can also book your places on February half term’s SEND Community Offer.
Every other Friday, the group meets in its north Manchester venue at St George’s Community Centre, Bothwell Rd, Collyhurst, M40 7NY, 11am-1pm.
Manchester parents/carers can also join the private Facebook Group - The SPACE Group Manchester.
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Adapted eye tests
Local opticians offer specially adapted eye tests and eye health check appointments across the Greater Manchester area for people with learning disabilities or autism. It's called the Easy Eye Care Service and is available throughout the week and from some locations at weekends and evenings. To be eligible for the service, all you need is to be known to your GP or local disability team.
Urgent Eye Care Service
The NHS Greater Manchester Community Urgent Eye Care Service (CUES) provides urgent assessment, treatment or referral for sudden onset eye problems such as flashes, floaters, vision loss or minor eye injuries. Find out more.
Free talk
There is a free University of Reading Wellbeing Hub Monthly Talk on Thursday 13th February, 7–8.30 pm. It’s’ Love, grief, acceptance - a parent’s perspective: journeying with an autistic young person through their mental health crisis’. Tickets through Eventbrite.
New language guide
The Children’s Society have a new guide – ‘Child exploitation and abuse: an appropriate language guide.’ It’s about the importance of language when discussing child exploitation, an area where disabled and neurodivergent children and young people can be over-represented.
Citizens Advice hubs
Citizens Advice Manchester has community hubs across Manchester. They can help you get connected into the information and answers you need. With a mix of face to face and video advice, there’s no need to make an appointment or bring anything with you. The hubs offer an initial conversation with an adviser with pathways to further advice if you need it. See their Community Advice for information on venues and times. There is also Get Help for other ways to get support.
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There’s still a couple of days to take part in the city’s annual SEND survey! 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). Ends Friday 31st January 2025.
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