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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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Half term with SPACE, MPCF and 4CT
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. For SEND families in the Manchester City Council area.
Online bookings
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Go live Monday 10th February at 5pm - ONE event per family
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. Eventbrite link:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lancaster-farm-trip-coach-pick-up-19th-february-1030am-tickets-1242301319689?aff=ebdsoporgprofile
Captain America – Brave New World
Thursday 20th February, starting at 2pm, Didsbury Cineworld, M20 5PG. £5 per adult, free for children aged 0-17. 12A rating. Eventbrite link:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cinema-captain-america-12a-20th-february-2pm-tickets-1242211290409?aff=ebdsoporgprofile
Dogman
Saturday 22nd February, starting at 11am, Didsbury Cineworld, M20 5PG. £5 per adult, free for children 0-17. PG rating. Eventbrite link:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cinema-dogman-pg-22nd-february-11am-tickets-1242281801309?aff=ebdsoporgprofile
Text bookings
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Text bookings open from 5pm on Monday 10th February until 8pm on Wednesday 12th February - ONE event per family
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Roller skating
At Ardwick Sports Hall, Stockport Road, M12 4DY:
- Sunday 16th February, 12.30-1.30pm or 1.30-2.30pm.
- Sunday 23rd February, 12.30-1.30pm or 1.30-2.30pm.
Bright Future Friends
Outdoor adventure/forest school sessions, Monday 17th February, 10am-1pm or 2-5pm, at Outdoor learning centre, Classroom 2, 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.
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How to text
Please send ONE TEXT ONLY for the event of your choice and include all the information asked for. All texts will be responded to in due course.
Text 'SKATING', 'BFF' or 'BOWLING' to 07749 116211, with date and time of activity, FULL Names of ALL attendees, whether or not they are SEND Yes (Y) or No (N), date of births of children 0-17, house number, postcode and ethnicity
SAMPLE TEXT:
SKATING, 23rd February, 1.30-2.30, John Smith, Jane Smith, Simon Smith Y 03/06/13, Sarah Smith N 25/10/19, 123, M40 1AB, White British
Forest School
The SEND Forest School is back for half term, offering an inclusive and urban forest school experience, free for SEND families living in the Manchester City Council area. It’s on Tuesday 18th and Thursday 20th February, 11am-3pm at Platt Fields Market Garden (off Mabfield Road, Fallowfield, M16 6LT). It’s an outdoor stay and play activity - drop in any time between 11am-3pm, vegetarian lunch around 12.30pm, snacks on the fire from 2.15pm. Booking is essential through Eventbrite -
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/send-family-forest-school-platt-fields-market-garden-18th-20th-feb-tickets-1244829511579?aff=oddtdtcreator. Let Sian know of any access needs when you book. If you are no longer able to attend, please select 'refund tickets’ so your places can go to families on the reserve list. Any extra enquiries to Sian Millward, hello@manchesterbeesforestschool.co.uk, 07506 342945.
SEND stay and play
Join Manchester Parent Carer Forum and Martenscroft Children's Centre for a morning of free fun for families of children with SEND aged 0-5 years living in Manchester. It’s on Friday 21st February, 10.15-11.45am at Martenscroft Nursery School and Sure Start Children's Centre, 33 Epping Street Manchester M15 6PA. Booking essential through Manchester Parent Carer Forum. Link due to go live soon:
https://bit.ly/early-years-spring-2025.
Community Kitchen
The Community Kitchen will be returning for February Half term with a free session on Wednesday 19th February, 2.30-5.30pm. It’s for young people with SEND and/or social emotional and mental health needs (SEMH), living in Manchester. Come with the family and cook (and eat!) together. Menu includes ackee and saltfish, gunga peas and rice, chicken and lamb, and vegetarian/vegan. All food and tuition provided. The sessions are for SEND families living in the Manchester City Council area and are at Procter Learning Centre, Hulme Street, Off Jackson Crescent M15 5EF. Parking available. Booking essential - call Roger on 07970 922132.
Sensory rooms
Families can spend time in the Sensory Rooms at Redbank House in Cheetham Hill over half term. There are free slots available at various times between 9am-4pm (on the hour for 50 minutes) from Monday 17th to Friday 21st February. This includes the additional bigger room, bringing all the sensory equipment together with some soft play. This activity is for SEND families living in the Manchester City Council area. Book directly with Redbank House on 0161 214 5959.
Families have free use of the Sensory Room at Benchill Community Centre, Wythenshawe, over half term. Each slot is for 45 minutes and on the hour. It's from Monday 17th to Friday 21st February. Drop in to the community centre or call 0161 946 9520 to book. For SEND families living in the Manchester City Council area.
Cycling for 11-16s - NEW!
For the next three months, there are extra cycling and bike maintenance sessions for Manchester young people aged 11-16 with SEND and Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs. They are every Wednesday after school from 4.30-7.30pm, 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 but need to be competent riders Funded by the Targeted Intervention Group.
These are in addition to the regular riding sessions as part of the SEND Community Offer, every Saturday 11am-3pm. Contact Roger Newell at MANCCYCLES for more information and to book a pre-ride induction – info@manccycles.co.uk, 07970 922132.
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SEND cycling session
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.
Sensory dance
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. Book tickets through Eventbrite - includes information on accessibility, suitability and the sensory performance.
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.
Loads To Do
Check out Loads To Do for what's going on in your local area and across the city during the half term. There's plenty on offer across parks, sports, libraries, galleries and more to keep you and your family entertained without breaking the bank.
Over the half term, there are lots of places where kids can eat for free or for a £1. Check out Money Saving Central.
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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.
FUTURE DROP INS 2025, 10am-12pm
Wednesday 12th March, Manchester College, Openshaw campus
Wednesday 30th April, Manchester Youth Zone
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Valentine's self-care
Join Manchester Parent Carer Forum and fellow parents/carers for a well-deserved Valentine’s treat and get-together. Take a break from your caring role and enjoy some relaxing activities, including massage, manicure, vision board activity, mocktails and a hearty lunch. The Self-Care Valentine’s Day is on Friday 14th February 14, 11am-1pm, at Moss Side Millenium Powerhouse, 140 Raby Street Manchester, M14 4SL. Please book through MPCF.
Free workshops
The free workshops for parents and carers of children or young people with a formal diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Condition from Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust are now open to those on the Social Community Pathway waiting list.
There are two workshops coming up on Understanding and Working with the Education System:
- Central Manchester, for parents/carers of secondary and Post 16 young people - Wednesday 26th February, 10.00am-12.30pm, Moss Side Millennium Powerhouse, 140 Raby St, Moss Side, Manchester, M14 4SL. Booking link.
- South Manchester, for parents/carers of early years and primary children – Wednesday 26th March, 10.00am-12.30pm, Crossacres Family Hub, Poundswick Lane, Wythenshawe, Manchester, M22 9TA. Booking link.
Check out Manchester Parent Carer Forum’s website for sessions on different topics coming up in the next few months.
Autism Understood
When young people are told they are autistic, they are rarely told what this actually means. This is why Spectrum Gaming created Autism Understood, a fantastic resource aimed at young people but really helpful for adults too, including parents and professionals. Co-produced with autistic young people, it includes sections on autistic differences, health and wellbeing, and education.
Autism Acceptance training
Spectrum Gaming has a huge focus on advocacy, ensuring autistic young people's voices are heard. One way they do this is by offering in-depth autism training, focused on the lived experience of autistic young people. There are two rounds of their online Autism Acceptance training coming up, with 200 free places offered to professionals in Greater Manchester (use the code GM at check out). It includes knowing what autism actually is, trauma, anxiety and understanding meltdown. Find out more about the course - book for March and September.
Be Proud awards
Do you know someone who goes above and beyond for their fellow Mancunians? Do you know a community group who is making a real impact in your local area? If you do, now is the time to let them know how much you appreciate them by submitting a nomination for the Be Proud awards. Learn more and submit a nomination. Closes: Monday 24th February.
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Ambitious Youth Network
The Ambitious Youth Network is a UK wide platform for autistic young people. The network offers autistic young people aged 13 to 25 a safe online space to help them understand their autistic identity and reduce isolation and loneliness that many feel. This includes information around employment, with job alerts on internships around the country for autistic job seekers.
Disability Employment Advisers
If you have a health condition or a disability that affects your ability to work, JobCentre Plus offers a service for disabled workers - Disability Employment Advisors (DEAs). They can help you find work or to gain new skills for a job, including work preparation, recruitment and interview coaching. This is a voluntary option for people aged 18+ job searching, and you can be on Universal Credit. Here is some advice from Careers with Disabilities.
Rising Stars Fund
Manchester's Rising Stars Fund 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.
Sporting chance
The Sporting Chance Group are a dedicated Alternative Provision service located in Openshaw, Manchester. They provide tailored educational programs for students aged 11-16 (High School) and 16-24 (Post-16) and specialize in supporting young people with Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCPs). They are offering a wide variety of courses, they have four courses that will be delivered over two days a week (6 hours) for a duration of ten weeks. To refer into the service or form more information please email Josh.Longman@sportingchancegroup.com.
National Apprentice Week
 It’s National Apprentice Week! This celebrates the value, benefit, and opportunity that they bring. Check out this special Work and Skills bulletin from Manchester City Council. There is also this information on apprenticeships in our SEND Information Hub for disabled and/or neurodivergent young people.
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