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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Easter with SPACE, MPCF and 4CT

Online bookings ALL bookings go live at 6pm on Friday 28th March

Trips include coach transport and lunch. Everyone must book a place as coach restrictions mean everyone must have a seat regardless of age. PLEASE READ this important information about coach trips: 

Dunham Massey, Altrincham

Two trips on Thursday 10th April, 10.30am-4.30pm:

Coach leaving Grange Community Resource Centre, Pilgrim Drive, Beswick, M11 3TQ at 10.30am, returning at 4.30pm. Eventbrite link:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dunham-massey-trip-thursday-10th-april-1030am-the-grange-pick-up-tickets-1299304116589

Coach leaving St Nicolas Church, Kingsway M19 1PL at 10.30am, returning at 4.30pm. Eventbrite link:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dunham-massey-trip-thursday-10th-april-1030am-st-nicolas-pick-up-tickets-1299780100269

Quarry Bank Mill, Styal

Two trips on Tuesday 15th April, 10.30am-4.30pm:

Coach leaving Grange Community Resource Centre, Pilgrim Drive, Beswick, M11 3TQ at 10.30am, returning at 4.30pm. Eventbrite link:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/quarry-bank-mill-trip-tuesday-15th-april-1030am-the-grange-pick-up-tickets-1299786007939

Coach leaving St Nicolas Church, Kingsway M19 1PL at 10.30am, returning at 4.30pm. Eventbrite link:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/quarry-bank-mill-trip-tuesday-15th-april-1030am-st-nicholas-pick-up-tickets-1299843720559

Text bookings ALL bookings go live at 6pm on Friday 28th March

Simply Cycling

Adapted cycling with Simply Cycling at two sites: 

Boggart Hole Clough

Mondays 7th and 14th April, 2-4pm, Athletics track, Charlestown Road entrance, Manchester, Greater Manchester M9 7BR. To book, send one text to The SPACE Group 07749 116211 after 6pm on Friday 28th March: BOGGART, preferred date, house number and postcode, FULL Names of ALL attendees, date of births of children, ethnicity and if they are SEND Yes (Y) or No (N).

Wythenshawe Park

Wednesdays 9th and 16th April,12-2pm, Athletics track, Wythenshawe Rd, Manchester M23 0PH. To book, send one text to The SPACE Group 07351 498755 after 6pm on Friday 28th March: WYTH, preferred date, house number and postcode, FULL Names of ALL attendees, date of births of children, ethnicity and if they are SEND Yes (Y) or No (N).

SAMPLE TEXT:

BOGGART, 7th April, 123, M40 1AB, John Smith, Jane Smith, Simon Smith, 03/06/13, White British, Y, Sarah Smith, 25/10/19, White British, N

Easter Fun Day

Two parties on Saturday 12th April, Moss Side Powerhouse, Raby Street M14 4SL:

• Quiet party (QUIET), 11.30am-1.30pm
• Busier party (BUSIER), 2pm-4pm

To book, send one text to The SPACE Group 07749 116211 after 6pm on Friday 28th March: Preferred party (QUIET or BUSIER), house number and postcode, FULL Names of ALL attendees, date of births of children, ethnicity and if they are SEND Yes (Y) or No (N).

SAMPLE TEXT:

BUSIER, 123, M40 1AB, John Smith, Jane Smith, Simon Smith, 03/06/13, White British, Y, Sarah Smith, 25/10/19, White British, N

MPCF activities

Stay and play

Join Manchester Parent Carer Forum (MPCF) for an Early Years Stay and Play session on Monday 7th April, 10.15-11.45am with Martenscroft and Rusholme Children's Centres. It’s a morning of fun for families of children with additional needs or disabilities aged 0-5 years living in the city of Manchester. There’ll be lots to do, including an Easter egg hunt, outdoor play (weather permitting), art activities, bubbles, and tactile and messy play. There’ll also be healthy snacks, nibbles, and refreshments for all to share. Young siblings (aged 0-5) without SEND are welcome to join in. Book your places. 

Operation Ouch! Brains, Bogies and You 

Explore the wonders of the human body, brain and senses in the Science and Industry Museum's ‘Operation Ouch!’, an interactive exhibition inspired by the TV show. The family-friendly session is on Wednesday 9th April at 2pm, with entry between 2-2.30pm. You can stay for as long as you like once inside. Please arrive between 1.45-2.15pm to sign in with the MPCF team before entry. Please note: you’re responsible for your own children’s safety during the session which may include other paying members of the public. For SEND families living in Manchester - siblings without SEND are also welcome along. Book your places.

Creative Space

There’s sensory play and cinema at Creative Space Centre in Preston on Friday 11th April, 1.15 to 4.45pm. This exclusive visit is ideal for children with complex support needs and those seeking a smaller group activity. The centre is fully accessible, with a hoist in the sensory play room and a Changing Places toilet. Tickets are free of charge for families of deaf, disabled and/or neurodivergent children and young people living in the city of Manchester. Transport to and from the centre is not provided. Learn more and book.

Relaxed cinema

The next relaxed cinema showing with Manchester Parent Carer Forum is Saturday 12th April, 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. Booking available soon.

In the meantime, vote for which film you’d like to see in April (closes Saturday 29th March):

Sensory rooms

Spend time in the Sensory Rooms at Redbank House in Cheetham Hill over the Easter holidays. There are slots available at various times between 9am-4pm (on the hour for 50 minutes) during weekdays from Monday 7th to Thursday 17th April. This includes the additional bigger room, bringing all the sensory equipment together with some soft play. For SEND families living in the Manchester City Council area. Book directly with Redbank House on 0161 214 5959.

Wythenshawe

Families also 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 Monday 7th to Thursday 17th April. Drop in to the community centre or call 0161 946 9520 to book. For SEND families living in the Manchester City Council area.

Other stuff to do

Relaxed concerts

Chetham’s School of Music next relaxed performance is on Wednesday 2nd April 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. The doors will stay open till 3pm so you can stay behind after the concert and enjoy refreshments. Future dates: Wednesday 7th May, Wednesday 4th June. Find out more and book.

Join the 26-piece Hallé ensemble for the chance to listen to popular, classical music in a relaxed and informal way. All responses to the music are welcome whether it’s singing, shaking shakers and dancing. The concerts are particularly suited to children and adults with additional needs. The next Hallé Relaxed Concerts are Wednesday 2nd April at 11.30am and 2pm at Hallé St Peter's, Blossom Street, Ancoats, M4 6BF. This is a fully accessible venue. Tickets are £5 and can be booked via the Hallé website or you can pay on the door. Please email jessica.harper@halle.co.uk if you need further information.

Deaf Centre activities

The Children and Young People’s Service at Manchester Deaf Centre offers a range of events and activities for d/Deaf children and their families, both at the centre and venues around Greater Manchester. Check out Eventbrite and this BSL video for what’s coming up.

Easter with libraries

It’s holiday time at Manchester Libraries from Saturday 5th to Thursday 17th April. Join your local library for a fun programme of activities for the whole family, with craft sessions, Lego clubs, and more. Contact your local library to find out what’s on. For Central Library events, check out Library Live.  

Central Library clubs

Here are some clubs at Central Library:

• There’s a new weekly Board Games Club, with a session on Wednesday 2nd April, 5-7pm on the Ground Floor. Try new games, rediscover old favourites and make new friends. This free club is open to all ages and abilities - no need to book, just drop in.

• There’s also a Chess Club for all abilities on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4.30-7pm, Ground Floor, left of café. 

• If you like Lego, there’s a monthly club. Drop in, pick your favourite bricks and build anything that takes your fancy. Suitable for ages 4 and above. The next club is on Saturday 19th April, 2-3pm, Lower Ground Floor.

Contact Central Library for further information about the clubs. Some local libraries have Lego Clubs and other activity. Get in touch to see what’s on offer.

Holiday HAF activities

Manchester has hundreds of free places for children’s activities over the school holidays, including a meal during the day. Eligibility is based on benefit-related free school meals. Your child needs to be registered for these, and you’ll also need to create a Family MCRactive GO account. This MCRactive guidance takes you through the steps. Search for activities using ‘MCR – Holiday activity’ in the categories.

Free swimming 

Manchester residents aged 16 and under can swim for free during any ‘Swim for All’ session during school holidays and at selected times at the weekends during term time. Find out more.

Healthy Child Event

DATE FOR YOUR DIARY! There’s a Healthy Child Event at Woodville Family Hub on 28th April, 9.30am-12pm. It includes lots of freebies and is a chance to talk to health visitors, family workers, and the immunisation and dental teams, plus find out what’s happening at the Hub. No need to book – just drop in to the Woodville Family Hub on Shirley Road, Cheetham Hill M8 0NE.

See the Stuff to Do Highlights in our SEND Information Hub for more to do over Easter.

Our April drop in

Our next drop in is on Wednesday 30th April, 10am-12pm at Manchester Youth Zone, 931 Rochdale Road, Harpurhey M9 8AE. Look out for a bulletin nearer the time. 

Our 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. Your children don’t need to have a diagnosis. All welcome – including professionals.

FUTURE 2025 DROP INS, 10am-12pm

Wednesday 21st May, Crossacres Hub, Wythenshawe

Wednesday 18th June, Moss Side PowerHouse

MPCF updates

Solution Circles workshop

Manchester Parent Carer Forum (MPCF) are holding a free Solution Circles workshop on Tuesday 1st April, 10.30am-12.30pm, at Moss Side Millenium Powerhouse, 140 Raby Street M14 4SL. It involves a problem-solving discussion with a small group of other parents/carers, following a particular structure. It’s an approach parents/carers can use to support each other with complex problems. The workshop is especially ideal for those involved with parent/carer support groups and organisations. Learn more and book.

Logo competition

MPCF invites children and young people from Greater Manchester to design a logo for the Neurodiversity in Education (NiE) project. The winning design will be used as branding for future NiE communications from schools, Parent Carer Forums and other local partners. The winner will receive a £50 Amazon voucher and their artwork will be featured across all the 10 Greater Manchester boroughs involved with the NiE. Deadline for submissions is Friday 4th April.

Basketball tickets offer

MPCF have free tickets to a Manchester Basketball home game at the National Basketball Performance Centre this weekend. The women’s team are playing on Friday 28th March. Request a promo code.

Young people

National Internships Day

National Internships Day is on Thursday 27th March. There are two webinars run by the National Development Team for Inclusion (NDTi):

• For young people, 3-4pm. Led by young people, it will explore what a Supported Internship is, how it works, and the benefits it provides. 
• For parents and carers, 7-7.45pm. Learn about Supported Internships as a valuable pathway to employment for young people with learning disabilities and/or autism.

Find out about Supported Internships in the Local Offer SEND Information Hub.

New Supported Internships

Trafford and Stockport College Group have two new Supported Internships for young people with an Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP). Starting in September this year, they are a chance to develop employability skills and gain valuable experience in a real working environment:

• HMRC Manchester, September 2025 to July 2026 at 2 Dearmans Place, Salford, M3 5DS
• Amazon, September 2025 to July 2026 at MAN1 site, Manchester Airport, 6 Sunbank Lane, Altrincham, M90 5DL

For more information, please contact the Transition Coordinators, Trafford and Stockport College Group: Megan Mason - megan.mason@tscg.ac.uk; Viv Worsley - viv.worsley@tscg.ac.uk; Programme Leader, Michael Owen - michael.owen@tscg.ac.uk. To apply for the HMRC vacancies, please use the expression of interest form on the Salford Supported Internships webpage. 

'Tap and go' update

'Tap and go' contactless payments are now available on Bee Network buses and trams. If you’re using a Disabled person's travel pass or Travel plus pass for disabled people, make sure you keep it separate from payment cards when tapping-in on the bus. You might a get a ‘card clash’. This is when your bank card is charged accidentally.

If you have a Disabled person’s travel pass and wish to travel before 9.30am on the £1 concessionary single ticket, ask the driver for this ticket. Then wait for their confirmation before tapping your bank card or contactless payment device on to the reader. If you tap straight away, you will be charged the full adult £2 single fare.

Learn more about 'Tap and go'. There are also two videos:

• 'Tap and go' on the bus
• 'Tap and go' on the bus and tram

To get help, see Transport for Greater Manchester’s contact page. 

See our list of travel resources in the Local Offer SEND Information Hub, including the Travel pass for disabled people.

localoffer@manchester.gov.uk / 0161 219 2125 Welcome to Manchester Local Offer  Local Offer SEND Information Hub

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