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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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More of the half term SEND Community Offer for families living in the Manchester City Council area
Halloween parties
(All ages) Manchester Parent Carer Forum (MPCF) has two free inclusive parties for SEND families living in the city. Watch a short Halloween-themed movie, then have family fun with games and crafts:
- Monday 27th October, 12.30-2.30pm at Martenscroft Children’s Centre, 33 Epping Street, Hulme M15 6PA. Book through Eventbrite (link due to go live).
- Friday 31st October, 11.30am-1.30pm at Manchester Youth Zone, 931 Rochdale Road, Harpurhey M9 8AE. Book through Eventbrite (link due to go live).
Stay and play
(0-5) MPCF invite Manchester families to a SEN Stay and Play on Thursday 30th October, 10.30am-12pm at Martenscroft Children’s Centre, 33 Epping Street, Hulme M15 6PA. Have fun with other families of deaf, disabled and neurodivergent young children aged 0-5. Book through Eventbrite.
Sensory rooms - slots available!
(All ages) Spend time in the Sensory Rooms at Redbank House, 4 St.Chad’s Street, Cheetham Hill, M8 8QA, over the half term. There are slots available at various times between 9am-4pm (on the hour for 50 minutes) during weekdays from Monday 27th to Friday 31st October. 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.
Family forest school - a few places left!
(All ages) Manchester Bees Forest School are hosting a SEND Family Forest School in Didsbury on Monday 27th October at Didsbury Hive, Highmarsh Crescent, Didsbury, nearest postcode M20 2DU. 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. Find out more on the Eventbrite booking.
Free cycling
(11-16 yrs) Perhaps this is the half term your child tries the free weekly cycling sessions? They're for young people aged 11-16 with SEND or emotional and mental health needs, living in the Manchester City Council area. They take place every Saturday 11am-3pm, with bikes, helmets and other safety equipment provided for cycle routes across Greater Manchester. All young people take part in a pre-ride induction before attending Saturday rides but need to be competent riders. Meet at the Proctor Learning Centre, Hulme Street, Off Jackson Crescent M15 5EF. If you're unsure, give Roger a chat to talk it through. Book places through him on info@manccycles.co.uk, 07970 922132.
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Quiet morning - Update
(All ages) Please note that the Whitworth Art Gallery will be busier than usual during this Sunday's Quiet Morning drop in. It will still be going ahead on Sunday 26th October, 10.30am-12.30pm, but there is a book fair at the gallery so there will be a busier environment.
Cricket taster
(5-10 yrs) Lancashire Cricket Foundation will be hosting a SEND primary age cricket taster session for 5-10 year olds on Wednesday 29th October, 10am-12.30pm at Parrs Wood High School, Wilmslow Road, East Didsbury M20 5PG. Enter the school by the main entrance, where there’s parking, and make your way to the sports centre. Please book using the online form. Any questions, get in touch with Amlyn at alayton@lancashirecricket.co.uk, 07799 639838.
SEND activity day
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(All ages) Manchester Active are hosting a free activity day for individuals with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and their families. It’s on Friday 31st October, 11am-2pm, at Belle Vue Leisure Centre, Kirkmanshulme Lane, Gorton, M12 4TF. There will be various sports on offer, along with giant garden games and crafts. A mostly indoor event, it is suitable for all abilities, including wheelchair users. No booking needed. Any questions, please contact Rebecca Kemp at r.kemp@mcractive.com, 07736 918676.
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A monster Halloween
(All ages) Celebrate the arrival of Halloween with a free two-day festival of frightful fun in the city centre from Saturday 25th to Sunday 26th October. There’ll be live performances and fancy-dress fun, plus spooky DJs, storytelling and the spectacular Walk the Plank Monster Party Procession. There's also MCR Monsters which will be around the city until Friday 31st October. See Visit Manchester’s Halloween in the city.
Spooky library
(Aimed at 7-13 yrs) Central Library is getting ready to welcome little spooks and ghouls to a fun-filled family Halloween. Spooky Library on Friday 31st October, 1-4pm, has creepy crafts, torturous treats and sinister surprise. Free entry, suitable for children aged 7-13. Fancy dress encouraged.
Dia de Muertos celebration
(All ages) Join Central Library for Dia de Muertos (Day of the Dead), a unique and ancient Mexican celebration. This exciting free event on Saturday 1st November, 1-4pm, in the Performance Space will feature traditional dances performed by Colibri Mexican Folkdance UK, themed activities and craft workshops, and a typical Mexican altar. Free drop-in, suitable for all ages.
Deaf Centre activities
(Various) 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. Check out Eventbrite for what’s coming up in November. Here’s a BSL version on You Tube.
Loads to do
(Various) Check out Loads To Do for what's going on in your local area and across the city during half term. There's plenty on offer in parks, sports centres, libraries, galleries and more to keep you and your family entertained without breaking the bank. This includes hundreds of free places for children eligible for benefit-related free school meals.
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 November, 10am-12pm at Manchester Youth Zone, 931 Rochdale Road, Harpurhey M9 8AE. 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. Your children don’t need to have a diagnosis. Look out for the drop in bulletin!
FUTURE DROP INS 2025/26, 10am-12pm
Wednesday 10th December - Woodhouse Park Lifestyle Centre, Wythenshawe
Wednesday 14th January, Moss Side Powerhouse
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Halloween horror
Full of horror at the thought of Halloween? Here are 15 practical tips from I Am to help make this spooky season calm, inclusive and enjoyable for everyone.
Clock change
The clocks go back this weekend. Kate Seasman, Sleep Manager, and Specialist Teacher for the Together Trust, has written a helpful guide for parents and carers navigating the autumn clock change — especially for those supporting neurodivergent children and teenagers.
Free training
Dingley’s Promise free early years training through Comic Relief is available until July 2026. Courses are designed for anyone working with young children across participating Local Authorities, as well as parents and carers of children with SEND. Learn about courses in Manchester – including two new ones – by selecting ‘Manchester’ and clicking Search. Congratulations to the Manchester schools, settings, and childminders that have earned Marks of Achievement by training 75% of their early years staff.
Neuroprofiling workshop
Manchester is introducing a neuroprofiling tool to help support children and young people. It’s a way of thinking about children’s and young people’s needs, strengths and preferences, including communication, impulse control and sensory experiences. There’s an online workshop with Manchester Parent Carer Forum on Monday 10th November, 6-7.30pm. Find out more and help develop the tool - book through Eventbrite (link due to go live).
Energy support
Struggling with energy costs? Scope have a dedicated Community Disability Energy Advice service that offers free advice around energy bills, grants, discounts and energy efficiency. They encourage families with disabled and/or neurodivergent children to get along to an advice session. Find them in your local area on the Scope website or by ringing 0808 800 3333, choosing option 3. You can also contact the team at CDEA@scope.org.uk. No need for referrals or proof of disability. See their friendly leaflet – Energy Advice for Disabled People.
Come and chat to members of the team at our monthly drop ins - next one Wednesday 12th November, 10am-12pm at Manchester Youth Zone in Harpurhey.
Wood Street Mission
Wood Street Mission is a children’s charity that supports families from Manchester and Salford who are struggling to make ends meet. They can help you with children’s clothes, toys, books, bedding, baby equipment and toiletries, as well as school uniform and Christmas gifts. You need to be referred to Wood Street Mission by a professional who knows your family’s circumstances well. Find out more.
Hate crime
The police will record any crime as a hate crime where the victim or any other person perceives it was motivated by hostility or prejudice towards their identity. This includes disability, race, religion and sexual orientation. Anyone can report hate crime by using this online form, by calling 101 or visiting your local police station. True Vision is a national website that allows you to report a hate crime online. Here is their information on disability hate crime.
Community Security Trust (CST) is a charity where you can report antisemitism and related threats and access support. Tell MAMA is a national project supporting victims of anti-Muslim hate and monitoring anti-Muslim incidents. The British Muslim Trust provides confidential support and reporting for victims of anti-Muslim hate.
Carers Rights Day
Carers Rights Day is a national day that aims to help unpaid carers understand and use their rights. This year, it falls on Thursday 20th November, but there are free events happening across the whole week. Carers Manchester and their partners have organised three in-person events plus a webinar, where you can learn about your rights and access support. Each event has the same structure, so you can attend whichever one suits you.
Second travel trial
There’s going to be a second concessionary pass trial on Bee Network buses. From 1st to 30th November 2025, there’ll be unlimited free bus travel for people with a Transport for Greater Manchester disabled or older person's travel pass. Learn more.
Remembering Geraldine
A year on from when she left us, we celebrate Geraldine Hills and her legacy. Geraldine contributed so much to the city, and this was acknowledged with an MBE for services to Children and Young People with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities in the 2024 New Year’s Honours List. She was a major drive behind Manchester Parent Champions who celebrated their 10th anniversary last year. The picture shows Geraldine at this event – with her tiara! She is very much missed but still lives on, empowering the parent carers who knew her to encourage others in turn. Thanks again, Geraldine. What a star!
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Youth Parliament opportunity |
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(11-18 yrs) Disabled and neurodivergent young people are encouraged to stand in Member of Youth Parliament (MYP) Elections. It’s a fantastic chance to represent the city and become advocates for youth voice. Manchester has four places – called seats – with applications open from 31st October until 30th November. Voting takes place in February with the results coming out on 4th March 2026. MYPs will be in office for a two-year term from April 2026 until March 2028.
This booklet tells you all about it. There are three sessions during half term to ask questions and find out more. Click on the links to book tickets:
Here is the link to the online form to express interest. This will open on 31st October. In the meantime, if additional support is needed, email youthengagement@manchester.gov.uk. They will be happy to hear from you.
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