|
|
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
|
|
Here is the first of the Summer SEND Community Offer for families living in the Manchester City Council area.
More to come in the run up to the holidays!
Download the pdf to see The SPACE Group and 4CT activities:
Face to face bookings
Most of the bookings for the SPACE Group and 4CT activities will be face to face. Depending on how this goes, there may bookings by text or online. Look out for updates in the newsletter.
The booking sessions - please come to one only
Please read the 'Important Information' in the pdf so you have what you need, like cash and proof of address.
Wednesday 17th June
- 10am-12pm, Local Offer Drop-in, Manchester Youth Zone, 931 Rochdale Rd, M9 8AE
- 5-7pm, Classroom 2, Horticultural Centre, near the main car park, Wythenshawe Park, M23 0AB
Friday 19th June
- 11-1pm, Classroom 2, Horticultural Centre, near the main car park, Wythenshawe Park, M23 0AB
- 5-7pm, Woodville Sure Start/Family Hub, Shirley Road, Cheetham, M8 0NE
Saturday 20th June
- 12-2pm, Classroom 2, Horticultural Centre, near the main car park, Wythenshawe Park, M23 0AB
- 4-6pm, Woodville Sure Start/Family Hub, Shirley Road, Cheetham, M8 0NE
Sunday 21nd June
- 10am-12pm, Bennett Street Community Centre, M12 5NZ
Monday 22nd June
- 10.30am-1.30pm, Bennett Street Community Centre, M12 5NZ
Bennett St Community Centre is a new building and not yet showing on Google searches. To find where it is, put the postcode M12 5NZ into Google Maps.
|
If you need support with understanding how the booking system works, please call the Local Offer team on 0161 219 2125.
Thank you to the volunteers who are giving their time to make this a fantastic summer!
|
|
|
|
This drop in is the first of the face to face summer booking sessions with The SPACE Group, so it's likely to be a busy one!
Our next SEND Drop In is on Wednesday 17th June, 10am-12 noon at Manchester Youth Zone in Harpurhey, 931 Rochdale Road, Harpurhey M9 8AE. This free event is aimed at parents/carers and young people with SEND up to 25 in the Manchester City Council area. It offers a chance to talk to a range of services and get support.
NEXT DROP IN, 10am-12pm:
Wednesday 15th July, Lifestyle Centre, Wythenshawe
|
|
Free event for parents/carers |
|
Manchester SEND Inclusion Conference
Tuesday 23rd June 2026, 10am-2pm
For the city's parent carers
A free parent-led event for parents and carers of deaf, disabled or neurodivergent children under 25 who live in the city of Manchester. Join us to get an update on what's happening around SEND in Manchester and to have your say.
|
|
SEND COMMUNITY OFFER
Relaxed cinema
(PG – Parental Guidance) The next showing of the Relaxed Cinema with Manchester Parent Carer Forum is on Sunday 21st June, 11am-1pm at Cultplex (part of GRUB), 50 Red Bank, Cheetham Hill, M4 4HF. Watch the film ‘Goat’ in a relaxed, inclusive setting with popcorn included. Book here. For families in the Manchester City Council area.
Cool To Be You
(All ages) Cool to be You Game Day is an inclusive get-together with parents/carers and children and young people with SEND who live in, go to school at, or access a GP in the city of Manchester. Enjoy games, books and snacks in the company of people of all neurotypes. Show the real you! This event with Manchester Parent Carer Forum is on Thursday 18th June, 4.30-6.30pm at the North Star Centre, City View House, 5 Union Street, Ardwick, M12 4JD). Book here.
OTHER STUFF
Sing and sign-along
(All ages) Bring the sunshine with a free sing and sign-along, inclusive event. It’s this Friday 12th June, 11am at the Cosmo Rodewald Concert Hall, Martin Harris Centre, off Oxford Road. No booking required. A 50-minute musical treat, in a relaxed setting. Open to everybody.
Sunday Funday
(All ages) Join Central Library for a special Sunday Funday as they celebrate the final day of Festival of Libraries 2026. It’s this Sunday 14th June, 12 noon-4pm, Expect special performances, music, exhibitions, craft sessions, and lots of fun for all ages. Free entry, just drop in.
|
|
Coffee morning
The next coffee morning with Manchester Parent Carer Forum (MPCF) is on Monday 22nd June, 10am-12pm at Martenscroft Nursery and Sure Start Centre in Hulme, 33 Epping Street, M15 6PA. It’s an opportunity to meet and chat to fellow parents and carers of children and young people with SEND in a relaxed and friendly setting. Book through Eventbrite.
Guidance update
The government has updated its home-to-school transport guidance for compulsory school-aged children. The update reflects a change in free school meals eligibility. Find out more from Contact.
Autism webinars
Autism Central is holding a series of ‘In conversation’ webinars in June and July for families and support networks of autistic people of all ages. All are between 12-1pm:
Autism Central is the national peer education programme for families and support networks of autistic people of all ages in England and is funded by the NHS.
Wheelin' for Wellbeing
Wheelin’ for Wellbeing is a free, four-week cycling course for parent carers. It’s a safe space to build supportive connections and share experiences whilst trying bike riding and gaining confidence in basic bike maintenance. All bikes and helmets provided. It’s in Cringle Park, Levenshulme, M19 2QP on Thursdays 11th, 18th and 25th June and Sunday 28th June, from 10am to 11am each time. It would be great if parent carers could try and make all the sessions, but they'll be delivered in such a way that people can come to one or any number they can make. For more information and to book, contact Sumayra by text or WhatsApp on 07474 654100.
Cycling event
The National Cycling Centre is part of the Greater Manchester Inclusive Cycling Network, and on Tuesday 23rd June, they will be hosting the next network event on their Centre Court, 1-3.30pm. This is a fantastic opportunity to come together in person and discuss all things cycling. The network will be welcoming organisations and teams from across the region and showcasing the inclusive cycling opportunities available across Greater Manchester. Register for your free place.
Young carer days
Young Carers days at Manchester Metropolitan University are an opportunity for young people in Years 8-10 with caring responsibilities to visit a university campus, learn more about their options after school and where they can go for advice:
- Wednesday 1st July, 10am-3pm – MMU Geoffrey Manton Building, 4 Rosamond Street West, Manchester, M15 6LL, United Kingdom
- Wednesday 8th July, 10am-3pm – MMU Business School, Lyceum Pl, Manchester M15 6BY
Here is the application form. There is some flexibility if a young carer is unable to attend the whole day. Please email Greater Manchester Higher at gmhigher@mmu.ac.uk if you have any questions.
Summer travel
Summer events across the city mean the transport network will be busier than usual. Find travel information during events, as well as road closures.
Child Friendly City Awards
Manchester City Council’s Youth, Play and Participation team is excited to be hosting the first-ever Child Friendly City Awards. Previously known as the Buzz Awards, the awards now recognise the contributions of children and organisations as well as young people. Nominations are open to Manchester residents aged 5–18 (up to 25 for young people with SEND or those who are care experienced), as well as organisations based within the city of Manchester. There will be a family-friendly celebration event on Saturday 12th September at the National Football Museum, followed by the awards ceremony for the nominees from 4pm to 6pm. Applications close on Tuesday 30th June.
|
|
Relationship sessions
Manchester People First are offering free sessions for young learning-disabled adults about relationships. Run with Manchester Foundation Trust, it will be group-led, covering things like friendships and healthy romantic relationships. Sessions are 10am-1.30pm on Fridays 17th, 24th and 31st July, and 7th August at Manchester People First, 3 Broughton St, Cheetham Hill, M8 8RF. Call to book - 0161 839 3700.
Get creative this summer
Calling all 14–18-year-olds! Explore the world of HOME Young Creatives this summer. With an exciting free offer of workshops each day, there will be plenty to get stuck into, with activities spanning film, theatre and visual arts. Running from Monday 27th to Friday 31th July, 10.30am-4pm, this is your space to experiment, make a mess and have fun. If you need support to access Young Creatives, including applying, email creativeengagement@homemcr.org. Here’s more information on the summer programme and the form to apply by July 3rd.
|
|
|
|
|
