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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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For SEND families living in the Manchester City Council area
More to come next week
PLUS - MPCF, Manchester Parent Champions and The SPACE Group will be taking bookings at the Manchester Local Offer Drop In on Wednesday 10th December
THE SPACE GROUP AND 4CT
See next week's newsletter for online and text bookings
Face to face bookings
1. Check you are eligible. Your family needs to live in the Manchester City Council area and have at least one child with SEND aged 0-17.
2. Pick one activity from each of the three groups - A B and C
3. Come along to a face to face session to book:
- Friday 5th December, 11am-1pm, Powerhouse, Raby Street M14 4SL
- Wednesday 10th December, 10am-12pm, Local Offer drop in, Woodhouse Park Lifestyle Centre, Wythenshawe M22 1QW
- Friday 12th December, 11am-1pm, St George’s Community centre Bothwell Rd M40 7NY
4. Bring cash for payments. Also bring a copy (paper or on phone) of a Manchester City Council document - like your Council Tax bill - as proof that you live in the area.
(Maximum two adults per activity, unless additional carers are needed.)
GROUP A - Pick one
£10 PER ADULT (18+), FREE FOR CHILDREN
Chester Zoo - Lanterns and lights
Tuesday 23rd December, by coaches, 11.30am pick up at three places:
- FC United, 310 Lightbowne Rd, M40 0FJ
- The Grange Community Resource Centre, Pilgrim Drive M11 3TQ 0FJ
- St Nicholas Church, Kingsway M19 1PL
Northern Lights Heaton Park
Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th December, starts at 5.15pm. Two options each time:
- Coach from St Nicholas Church, Kingsway M19 1PL at 4pm
- Make own way – limited availability on parking spaces
Gandeys Circus On Ice
Sunday 4th January, Trafford Centre, show starts at 3pm:
- Coach from FC United, 310 Lightbowne Rd, M40 0FJ at 2pm
GROUP B - Pick one
FREE FOR EVERYONE
Christmas Parties
Saturday 20th December at Moss Side Powerhouse Raby Street M14 4SL. Two options in the afternoon - Quiet party or busier party
Blue Planet Aquarium
Sunday 21st December, by coaches, 11am pick up at:
- FC United, 310 Lightbowne Rd, M40 0FJ
- The Grange Community Resource Centre, Pilgrim Drive M11 3TQ 0FJ
- St Nicholas Church, Kingsway M19 1PL
Bright Futures Friends Forest School
- Monday 22nd December, 2-4pm
- Monday 29th December, 11am-1pm
(8+) At the Outdoor learning centre, Classroom 2, Horticultural Centre, near the main car park, Wythenshawe Park, M23 0AB. For age 8+.
Blackpool Illuminations
Friday 2nd January, by coaches, 12.30pm pick up at three places:
- FC United, 310 Lightbowne Rd, M40 0FJ
- The Grange Community Resource Centre, Pilgrim Drive M11 3TQ 0FJ
- St Nicholas Church, Kingsway M19 1PL
GROUP C - Pick one
FREE FOR ALL - BUT MUST BE AGED 3+
Cinderella pantomime
- Monday 29th December - 4pm or 6pm show
- Tuesday 30th December - 12pm, 2pm or 4pm show
(3+) At Northern West Theatre Arts Company, 270 Lightbowne Road, Manchester M40 5HQ
 Sensory rooms
(All ages) The Sensory Rooms at Redbank House, 4 St.Chad’s Street, Cheetham Hill, M8 8QA are open for two days over the Christmas break. There are slots available at various times between 9am-4pm (on the hour for 50 minutes) on Monday 22nd and Tuesday 23rd December. This includes the additional bigger room, bringing all the sensory equipment together with some soft play. Free for SEND families living in the Manchester City Council area. Book directly with Redbank House on 0161 214 5959.
Community Kitchen
(All ages) The Community Kitchen has a free session during the Christmas holiday on Monday 29th December, 2.30-5.30pm. It’s an invitation for young people with SEND and/or social emotional and mental health needs (SEMH), living in the Manchester City Council area, to come with the family and cook (and eat!) together. The theme is based on traditional Caribbean foods and drinks, with smoked BBQ salmon, gunga peas and rice, BBQ chicken and Dutch pot lamb, steam fish and vegetarian/vegan options on the menu. It’s at Proctor Young People’s Centre, Hulme Street, Off Jackson Crescent M15 5EF. Parking available. Booking essential - call Roger on 07970 922132
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Free cycling day - this weekend!
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NEW! There will be Trybikes at this event for younger children aged 2½ to 6 years old.
(2½+ years) The National Cycling Centre has a Limitless Cycling Day on Saturday 6th December. This special event is designed to welcome disabled people into an inclusive, supportive, and fun environment to discover (or rediscover) the joy of cycling. There’s a range of opportunities, including track and tandem cycling, BMX, mountain biking, ICE trikes, hand trikes, children’s trikes, and more — all supported by qualified coaches, pilots, and mechanics. Check out this registration form which has information on the sessions. One of the team will be in touch with further details, including session times, and to discuss any needs. Disabled participants have priority, but if there are spare places, siblings are welcome to join in. For any queries, please email cyclingcentre@gll.org or call 0161 223 2244.
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City parade - this weekend!
(All ages) The city’s free Christmas Parade is back on Sunday 7th December at 1pm. This year it’s bigger, brighter and more magical than ever. Expect giant reindeer, toy soldiers on Segways, the Elf Express – including Santa himself – and the brand-new Festive Fantasy Candyland Castle. Find out more, including the parade map.
Christmas extravaganza
(All ages) Join Central Library for a special Sunday opening on 14th December, 1-4pm, as they celebrate all things Christmas. Bring the whole family for craft sessions, Christmas carols and more. Free entry, just drop in.
Festive singalong
(All ages) There’s a free Festive Singalong relaxed performance on Friday 19th December, 1.10-1.55pm at The Martin Harris Centre for Music and Drama, Bridgeford Street, off Oxford Road, M13 9PL. This annual musical treat is open to everybody and inclusive in lots of ways. No need to book (except for groups of 10 or more). The capacity of the venue is 350. Whilst the event has been popular in previous years, they’ve never had to turn people away. For individual requirements, please contact mhcreception@manchester.ac.uk, 0161 306 1787. Here’s information on visiting the centre, as well as access guidance.
Library clubs
(Various ages) See Library Live to find out what’s coming up at Central Library in the city centre. There are various clubs at Central and in libraries around Manchester – including lego, comic clubs and board games. Contact your local library to see what’s on offer.
Into the city
If you're heading into town for the Christmas markets, here's helpful information on accessibility, including toilet facilities and recommended rest places.
Events across the city in the run up to Christmas means the transport network will be busier than usual. Plan your journey during these busy times. See Transport for Greater Manchester’s events information.
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Wednesday 10th December, 10am-12pm
For people in the Manchester City Council area
CHRISTMAS BOOKINGS! There will be a bookings table for the SEND Community Offer. Bring cash for Manchester Parent Champions and The SPACE Group. Manchester Parent Carer Forum will be helping with Eventbrite bookings.
As the drop in is in the run up to Christmas, it’s likely not to be busy, giving you time to chat to services and other parents/carers.
Future drop ins, 10am-12pm
Wednesday 14th January 2026, Moss Side Powerhouse
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Understanding SEND Support |
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You may have noticed a recent email in your inbox from us – Understanding SEND Support. This has been created to help you understand the processes around SEND Support in early years, schools and post-16 education. It lets you know where to get guidance and support – and about your rights.
Thank you to Manchester Parent Carer Forum, Manchester Parent Champions and The SPACE Group for helping to co-produce the guide.
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Keeping warm this winter
As the weather gets colder, it’s a time that many families worry about the extra costs. Contact has information on help with household bills.
If you'd like face to face advice, Scope’s dedicated Community Disability Energy Advice service will be at our December Local Offer drop in. Come along and meet the team or find further free sessions on the Scope website.
Warm welcome spaces
Every library in Manchester is a Warm Welcome Space this winter. These are free places to stay warm and safe in a welcoming, inclusive environment. Resources include:
- Free self-service hot drinks (except Central Library)
- Comfortable seating
- Free internet access and Wi-Fi
- Newspapers
- Staff support to signpost people to services
- Under 5s story time once a week at 11am
Neurodivergent Christmas
There are lots of neuronormative ideas and expectations about what Christmas ‘should’ look like and what people ‘should’ be doing. There is no correct way, and it’s okay to reconsider what the festive period looks like for you. ‘A Community Guide to a Happy Neurodivergent Christmas’ has lots of suggestions. Put together by Jade Farrington, and including contributors from the UK and abroad, it’s 78 free pages of information, ideas, experiences and validation.
Other guides
Tech support
Grassroots community digital experts MadLab are running free digital skills workshops and drop-ins across Manchester. If you’re looking to feel more confident with technology – whether it’s using the internet, paying bills, using your mobile phone or learning how to search for jobs, they’re happy to help. Visit their website to register.
Family law session - this week!
There’s a free ‘Family Law: Looked After Children’ presentation for parents/carers in the Manchester City Council area. It's on Thursday 4th December, 12.30-2.30pm at Moss Side Powerhouse, 140 Raby Street, M14 4SL. Learn about the law around children who are under the care of the Local Authority and the rights of Looked After Children when they turn 18. Book through MPCF.
New autism website
Greater Manchester Autism Consortium and GM Autism have a new website. It has been developed through extensive co-production with autistic people, families, and professionals. The website offers clear and accessible information to help individuals and families understand available services and access local resources across Greater Manchester.
Carers' breaks strategy
In December 2024, Carers Manchester launched their Time For You consultation. This was to better understand what breaks are already available for carers, what is missing, and what support they need to access breaks. A total of 215 carers were involved in an online survey and face-to-face focus groups. This helped to shape the new Carers’ Breaks Strategy.
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Free event - this week!
A free event celebrates UK Disability History Month and the launch of a new project - JOY! Hosted by the Disabled People’s Archive and North West Film Archive, it’s on Thursday 4th December, 12-4pm at the Performance Space in Central Library, St Peter's Square Manchester M2 5PD. Expect an object handling table, a group film-making activity, community lunch and more. Book your places.
Inclusive rave - this week!
The Christmas Under One Roof party with Manchester People First is on Thursday 4th December, 6-9pm, at YES, M1 7DB. For 18+ year olds. Book your tickets on Skiddle, £5 plus booking fee - free for carers. Watch the video to learn more about Under One Roof inclusive raves.
Ambassador opportunity
Applications are open for the National Autistic Society’s Young Ambassadors programme 2026-28. This flexible and voluntary programme is a great opportunity to learn all about running successful campaigns. Apply by the end of 19th December 2025.
WORK AND TRAINING
Code your future
Curious about a tech career but not sure where to start? CodeYourFuture offer free courses with employment support:
- Learn practical skills - AI, coding, websites and more
- Get 1:1 support from tech professionals
- Attend workshops on Saturdays or join online workshops
You need to be over 18, on a low income, have reasonable English and access to a computer (get in touch if you don’t have this). Many graduates now work at places like Google, the BBC, and Slack - and it all started with their Intro to Digital course.
YMCA apprenticeships
The YMCA offers free customer service apprenticeships. These are jobs with training, usually one day a week. You’ll get paid, gain a qualification, plus valuable skills and experience. To apply, you need be aged 16+ and not currently in mainstream education. Open to young people with SEND, SEMH, EHCPs, or those who have struggled in a traditional school/college environment. You can be referred by schools, colleges, local authority or other professionals. For more information, call 0161 537 0671 or contact luke@ymcamanchester.org.uk, frances@ymcamanchester.org.uk.
Recruitment Fair
The Manchester College are holding a Recruitment Fair on supported internships and pre-internships. It’s on Friday 23rd January 2026, 11am to 1pm at the Openshaw Campus, Ashton Old Road M11 2WH. It’s an opportunity to learn more about the Supported Internships and meet with tutors and job coaches.
There are internships on offer at Salford Quays, Manchester Library, Manchester Airport, City Labs at Oxford Road, Wythenshawe Hospital and North Manchester College. The course requirements are:
- National Insurance number
- Bank account
- Able to travel independently
- Eligibility to work in the UK
For more information, contact Jane Fahy at JFahy@tmc.ac.uk.
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