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Dear Young Carer Champions,
Welcome to our February newsletter! This edition is brought to you by Araya Worsley. We’re excited to share updates, opportunities, and resources to support young carers in your schools and communities. Inside, you’ll find details about upcoming events in Manchester, helpful guidance and materials to support, and ways to get involved.
As always thank you for all your hard work and dedication. We hope you enjoy the newsletter!
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School Young Carer Champions Network Meeting Update
A Big thank you to everyone who attended the latest Young Carer Champions Network meeting, held virtually on Monday 12th January 2026.
The session provided a platform for champions to come together, share good practice, explore opportunities for young carers to be involved in, and continue strengthening our support across the city.
During the meeting, we discussed updated guidance and key information relating to the Spring School Census, welcomed contributions from our partners at The Rio Ferdinand Foundation, and The Honey Pot Charity, who provided insight into the support, activities, and opportunities available for young carers through their organisations.
Thank you to all who joined and contributed to a productive session. If you were unable to attend but would like to be included in future meetings, please contact: kelly.hockaday@manchester.gov.uk
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Order your Young Carer Badges using the links below!
To receive your badges you will be asked to fill in a short form with the number need.
As the badges are high demand, we kindly ask that you order them only for the Young Carers you've identified in your setting.
These badges are intended to be worn by young carers who wish to wear them, always optional and always their choice – thank you for supporting OUR young carers to feel recognised and valued.
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Young Carers Action Day 2026 takes place on Wednesday 11 March and focuses on the theme ‘Fair Futures for Young Carers’.
The day calls for action to ensure young carers have the same opportunities to learn, grow and thrive as their peers, with the right recognition, support and chances to reach their potential, for more information on how to get involved, access free resources please visit https://carers.org/
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The award for Young Carer Champion of 2025 is now open to receive nominations!
We are incredibly proud of our Young Carer Champions, their work makes such a positive and lasting difference to young carers and their families.
Let us celebrate their hard work, recognise their contributions and thank them for all that they do!
The winner will be announced in April 2026!
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Reading is one of those small pleasures that brings big rewards. Whether it’s getting lost in a story, learning something new, or simply taking a quiet moment for ourselves, reading helps us slow down and switch off from the noise of everyday life. A good book can make us laugh, think differently, or see the world through someone else’s eyes.
To celebrate the joy and benefits of reading, we’re excited to launch our Book Review Competition!
Have you read a book you couldn’t put down? Or one that really made you think? We’d love to hear about it!
Write a short review using these templates as prompts
Book Review
Book Review
All book reviews will be saved on our webpages for others to enjoy, by submitting a book review, you are confirming consent for your review to be published online and in our newsletter. One Star Reviewer will receive a book token and feature in our future newsletter! Reviews should be submitted via your school Young Carers Champion.
Happy reading – and we can’t wait to see your recommendations! 📖
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Your Past. Your Present. Your Future.
To mark Young Carers Action Day, we’re inviting young carers to take part in a creative writing competition.
Write a piece about where you would want to live in the past, the present, or the future – and why.
You might want to think about:
- What that time or place would be like for a young carer
- How support, understanding, or opportunities might be different
- What would make life easier, fairer, or more enjoyable for young carers
- What you would hope to see change for young carers in the future
Your piece can be a story, letter, diary entry, poem, or reflection – be as creative as you like.
This is your chance to share your voice, your ideas, and what matters most to you!
✨ We can’t wait to read your ideas and imagine the world through your eyes ✨
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In 2026 we will be hosting 3 School Climate Assemblies for all schools.
Dates: 5th March SCA 1 9.30 – 2.30
Venue: Plymouth Grove Primary School, Plymouth Grove W, M13 0AQ
Date: 9th June SCA Celebration Event 9.30 – 2.30
Venue: Manchester City Council Chambers, Manchester Town Hall Extension, M2 5 DB – Lloyd St Entrance- facing Friends Meeting House
On 5th March Schools will be able to develop their eco projects and activities, then take them back to school to work on them. Schools will have the opportunity to present their projects and debate the findings with MCC Leads and Experts on 9th June 2026 in the prestigious Manchester Council Chambers, MCR Town Hall Extension, M2 5 DB.
Please register your school or provision for the 2026 School Climate Assembly events. We are allocating each school/ provision up to 7 places at each event (2 staff and 5 children).
Please confirm that you can attend at the SCA on the 5th March to ensure you can work on your projects and attend the celebration event on the 9th June.
All events will be supported by the MCR Skills for Life Framework and MCR Child Friendly City Programme. Please complete the form to register your interest and we will be in touch with further information to confirm your places.
Please click on the link to register places for your school
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Looking to build confidence, get into work or start your own business?
The King’s Trust has free support for 16-30 year olds across Greater Manchester.
Including funding, courses and career pathways, to confidence building, CV support, NHS pathways and media carers.
Check out the newsletter to find out more!
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We’ve received a small number of excellent reconditioned smartphones from our Digital Inclusion Team to support Young Carers (aged 16+ or with parent consent).
If you know a young person who is in need, please contact Kelly.hockaday@manchester.gov.uk
If any have already received one through you, a short piece of feedback would be greatly appreciated to support future funding.
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Skills for Life (S4L) Champions is a free Manchester City Council pilot programme launching in February 2026 to support children and young people in developing key life skills and promoting them across their schools. Champions will support schools to record extracurricular opportunities in a simple form.
What the Programme Offers:
Free training delivered in schools by Manchester City Council staff.
Training helps students develop and record their own skills for life, understand and promote the Skills for Life Framework, and act as champions within their school community.
Support their school in identifying and recording extra‑curricular activities and opportunities.
Complete a simple form each term to record school activities and share good practice across Manchester.
Promote the S4L framework within the school.
Participate in citywide networking with other young people and staff.
Join the MCR Skills for Life Network.
Access activities, opportunities, events, and celebrations to enable students to develop further skills.
Receive further resources, tools, and information from Manchester City Council.
Supported by UNICEF Child Friendly Cities Programme, Manchester Education Strategy, and Manchester Young Carers Programmes.
Please click on the link to register your interest in the Skills for Life Champions Programme Pilot
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In Manchester we are looking to introduce a play sufficiency model to Manchester, we recognise Children’s Right to Play and as such we are in the process of researching the extent to which children can play. The research will help us understand the variety of issues that influence whether children get enough time to play and help us hopefully secure more resources to improve local play opportunities.
We are particularly interested in hearing from year groups 5 and 6 and year 9 and such was hoping that you would be able to participate in our research by sharing the questionnaires or asking teachers/youth/ playworkers to support children to complete, there is an adults version too.
A big shout out to Varna St Primary who are currently the school with the most responses!
There will be a prize draw of a play bundle of equipment for any school that submits 10 or more responses!
Children and young people’s survey: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/manplaysurveyCYP/
Parents and carer's survey: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/manplaysurveyPC/
Manchester Play Model Poster
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Afrocats Creative Sessions for Young People, join us for exciting, creative workshops where you can, explore different dance styles, take part in drama activities, develop new skills, build confidence and be inspired!
For more details, contact Maya on 07852 680567
422 Community Hub, Ardwick Ward
Every other Saturday 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Ages (9-15)
Free to Attend
Article Originally Published by Loads to Do
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Manchester Libraries and Read Manchester offer a free programme of inspiring reading experiences for schools from Nursery to KS4, including:
- Author, illustrator, poet and storyteller visits (in‑person & online)
- Library visits, workshops and archive sessions
- Free book‑gifting for pupils
- Support for national reading celebrations and the National Year of Reading 2026
- Inclusive and diverse reading programmes such as See Myself in Books
It is completely free to get involved! To get in touch drop an email to libraryschoolbookings@manchester.gov.uk
Manchester Libraries and Read Manchester
Read Manchester Updates
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2026 Holiday Activity & Food Programme applications Now Open!
Are you a community group, school or activity provider in Manchester?
Apply now to run free holiday clubs with a healthy meal for children who’ll benefit most across Easter, Summer and Christmas 2026.
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Discover brilliant 1‑hour weekly music sessions, where young people can jam, learn, and play in a band with a professional musician.
Try out instruments like drums, bass, guitar, keyboard, and vocals while learning popular songs and following GCSE, BTEC, or RSL syllabus pathways.
Beginners are warmly welcome, there are no barriers, and sessions are open to all young people local to Wythenshawe. Groups will also get performance opportunities each term.
To check availability or book a place, email musicevermorecic@gmail.com
Mondays and Tuesdays (term time) Ages (11-18)
Free to attend
Article Originally Published by Loads to do
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Are you a young carer or a budding media student with a passion for filming, editing or storytelling?
This is your chance to shine.
We’re looking for a creative young person aged 13+ to produce a 30‑second trailer for our brand‑new filmed play. The trailer will be shared across our social media channels, so it needs to be sharp, exciting, and impossible to scroll past!
Whether you’re into directing, filming, editing, sound design or creating bold visuals. We want to hear from you. No big kit needed… just big ideas.
What’s in it for you?
- Your trailer showcased on our platforms
- A £100 voucher for the selected creator
- Official acknowledgement as the Trailer Creator for the project
- A brilliant opportunity to build your portfolio and show off your talent
We know how much talent sits within our young carer community, so you’ll be given priority in the selection process.
💡 How to Get Involved
Fill in our Expression of Interest Form
Tell us why you want to take part and share any examples of your creative work, big or small!
Deadline:15th March 2026
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Self-defence sessions, jewellery making, baking, swimming, hair and beauty and residential trips are just some of the activities on offer Free of Charge at the Levenshulme Youth Project Girls Group.
Welcoming and supportive, the LYP Girls Group offers away to develop new skills, meet new friends and build confidence.
Every Thursday 4:00pm - 6:00pm
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Wrap up warm and head to Heaton Park for a fun winter trail the whole family can enjoy.
Can you spot all the winter characters hidden along this short, easy route?
Pick up a trail map from Reception by the Stables Café, or start your adventure at the Tram Museum and follow the clues to see where the path leads.
A lovely way to explore the park together and add a bit of seasonal fun to your winter walk.
1st December 2025 - 28th February 2026 (10:00am-3:00pm) At Heaton Park
Free to attend
Article Originally Published by Loads to Do
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Enjoy cycling sessions at Boggart Hole Clough.
All ages and abilities are welcome. Sessions take place on Monday from 10.00 am – 2.00 pm and on Saturday from 9.00 am – 12.00pm.
Come along and try the different types of bikes on offer. Each session starts on the hour and lasts 45 minutes £3.50.
Simply Cycling Sessions at Longford Park Stadium - Loads To Do
Have fun, make friends and get fit.
Article Originally Published by Loads To Do
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Follow the famous 175ft dragon through the city’s streets as it makes its way to Chinatown, accompanied by traditional Lion and Ribbon dancers, Chinese Opera performers, 12 zodiac animals and ancient army characters.
Takes place on the 15th February (12:00pm - 2:00pm)
Free to attend
Article Originally Published by Loads to Do
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