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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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Our next drop will have the usual stalls, plus additional ones around the theme of ‘Preparing for Adulthood’. It’s on Wednesday 25th February, 10am-12pm, at The Manchester College, Openshaw Campus, Ashton Old Road M11 2WH. Look out for the drop in bulletin!
Future drop ins, 10am-12pm
Wednesday 18th March, Manchester Youth Zone, Harpurhey
Wednesday 22nd April, Lifestyle Centre, Wythenshawe
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For children and young people living in the Manchester City Council area and their families
Relaxed cinema - this week!
(PG rating) The next showing of the Relaxed Cinema with Manchester Parent Carer Forum is this Saturday 24th January, 11am-1.30pm at Cultplex (part of GRUB), 50 Red Bank, Cheetham Hill, M4 4HF. The film is ‘Wicked: For Good’ and has a PG rating. This means the film is suitable for general viewing but some scenes or themes might not be appropriate for younger children around 8 and under. The cinema is free to families living in the Manchester City Council area, including siblings without SEND. Popcorn included. Please book through this Eventbrite link.
(14-17) MCR Social is a fantastic programme supporting disabled and neurodivergent 14 to 17-year-olds to access the social world of Manchester. There are free activities for all interests, including music and theatre workshops, video gaming, football, basketball, bowling, arts and crafts sessions – and more. An online events calendar offers detailed accessibility information, group sizes, timetables and staff introductions, plus photos and videos of the environments. With the MCR Social team on hand to support, it’s the perfect programme for anyone wanting a welcoming space to get out, make friends, build confidence and, most of all, have fun.
To take part, young people need to live in the Manchester City Council area and are asked to apply with the support of an adult using this online form. If you have any questions, get in touch with Trystan at Greater Manchester Youth Network - trystan.kent@gmyn.co.uk, 07708 022320.
Saturday cycling
(11-16) Have your 11-16s with SEND or emotional and mental health needs tried the free cycling? Sessions are every Saturday 11am-3pm, meeting at the Proctor 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 Saturday rides but need to be competent riders. Contact Roger Newell at MANCCYCLES for more information and to book places – info@manccycles.co.uk, 07970 922132.
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Culture in the city
(Various ages) Manchester’s Creative Cultural directory has been updated for 2026. Find opportunities for young people, including creative careers programmes, free arts groups, workshops and youth voice groups. Sign up to MADE’s newsletter for more.
SEND multisports
(5-10) There are low-cost Multisport Sessions for 5-10 year olds with SEND on Sunday mornings 9am-10.30am at Denmark Road Sports Centre, Ardwick, M15 6FG. It’s an opportunity to explore a range of sports and games in a fun way, including basketball and cricket. Siblings welcome. For more information on how to get involved, contact jacob@dosportuk.co.uk.
New afterschool group
(12-24) Manchester Deaf Centre’s brand-new afterschool youth group starts this week. It’s on Thursday 22nd January, 4.30-7.30pm, at the centre on Booth Street East, M13 9GH. It’s a drop in, so young people can just turn up on the day. If new to MDC events, there’ll be a registration form to fill in. The group has lots of activities like cooking and games – and food is provided too – but you can help decide what happens with the group, including its name. Here’s a BSL video about it. Any questions or need help, email cyps@manchesterdeafcentre.com.
(Various) There are more events coming up with the Deaf Centre over the next few months. Check out this Eventbrite page.
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A free webinar is coming up - Understanding SEND Support. Delivered by Manchester City Council staff, plus a Q&A with parent carers Tanya Finn and Leanne Deveney, it's about SEND Support in early years, schools and post-16 education in Manchester.
The webinar is on Monday 9th February, 10.30am to 11.15am, on Microsoft Teams. If you are a parent/carer living in the Manchester City Council area and would like to attend, please email localoffer@manchester.gov.uk. You are also invited to send questions for the Q&A.
The webinar has grown out of the Understanding SEND Support newsletter co-produced with Manchester Parent Carer Forum, Manchester Parent Champions and The SPACE Group. Read it here:
If you can’t make the webinar, don’t worry. It will be recorded for future viewing and the questions and responses shared with you.
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New Neurodiversity Pathway |
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Parents/carers – your views are needed! NHS Greater Manchester is transforming the pathways for the assessment and support of children, young people and adults with ADHD and autism.
There are four main areas of work:
- A new needs-led model of care
- Changes to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS)
- A system approach to assessing needs
- Supporting those already waiting
Manchester Parent Carer Forum have a parent/carer engagement event with Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust on Friday 6th February, 10am-12pm at North Star Centre, City View House, 5 Union Street, Ardwick M12 4JD. Dr Jo Bromley (Strategic Lead for Learning Disabilities and Autism, CAMHS) and Karen Woodhouse (Autism Navigator) will be sharing news on the new Neurodiversity Pathway and the needs-led model for ADHD and autism. It’s also a chance to share your feedback and ideas. Book your place.
If you can’t attend the in-person session but would still like to get involved, there is an online session on Monday 9th February, 6-8pm. Please book your place and you will be sent the Zoom link.
We'll be keeping you updated with this work, with more opportunities to feed in.
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Free travel 24/7
Following successful trials, Greater Manchester intends to permanently lift the 9.30am restriction on concessionary passes. This means free, round‑the‑clock bus travel for older and disabled passholders across the Bee Network, likely to start from 1st March. Find out how to apply for discounted and free travel:
Share views on plans
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has a consultation on the Greater Manchester Transport Strategy 2050 and Delivery Plan (2027–37). They want to hear your thoughts and ideas to make sure the plans work for everyone in Greater Manchester.
There is an Equalities Engagement Session on Monday 26th January, 6–8pm, at the Friends Meeting House in the city centre, 6 Mount Street M2 5NS, doors open at 5.30pm. There will be BSL interpreters and lip speakers and paper copies of all key documents, including easy-read. Please let them know if you are able to attend and if you have any other access needs by emailing engagement@tfgm.com.
Learn about the strategy and plans and how to contribute through an online survey or TfGM drop in. The consultation runs until 9th March.
Ring and Ride survey
TfGM want your feedback to help shape the future of the Ring and Ride service. Individuals and groups can fill in the online survey. Anyone who finds this difficult can send feedback to flexibletransport@tfgm.com. Support for non-English speakers is available by calling 0161 244 1000. Closes Monday 9th February.
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Find information on all things SEND in the Manchester area. This includes:
- Education
- Emotional and wellbeing support
- Helpful organisations
- Household matters, like energy and digital resources
- Stuff to do
There is also a section for young people, including work and training.
Much of the information from the newsletter gets transferred. So if you've missed it here, or are looking for something that you remember seeing, it could be in the Hub.
If you would like to get our newsletters, find out how to sign up
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