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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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Here are the latest summer activities for SEND families in the Manchester City Council area. Still more to come!
PARENT CHAMPIONS AND REGEN ME
These trips will be booked through Eventbrite. Bookings go live on Saturday 11th July at 4pm.
You can book ONE coach trip and ONE make your own way, max. 2 adults. Please read the Eventbrite information carefully before you book. (NOTE: The Clip and Climb party is the only event providing food.)
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Coach trips
Smithills Open Farm (Bolton)
(All ages) Saturday 25th July. Pick up at 11.45am, Gorton Monastery, 89 Gorton Lane, Manchester M12 5WF. Return at 4pm. Find out more.
Sandcastle Water Park (Blackpool)
(All ages) Wednesday 5th August. Pick up 12.30pm, FC United of Manchester, Broadhurst Park, 310 Lightbowne Road, Moston, M40 0FJ. Return at 6.30pm. Safety and supervision rules – please read. All children need a responsible adult 18+ in the water with them. Accessibility information.
Chester Zoo Afterglow
(All ages) Tuesday 11th August. Pick up at 2pm, FC United of Manchester, Broadhurst Park, 310 Lightbowne Road, Moston, M40 0FJ. Return at 7pm. Find out more, plus accessibility information.
Blue Planet Aquarium (Ellesmere Port)
(All ages) Wednesday 26th August. Pick up at 10am, Gorton Monastery, 89 Gorton Lane, Manchester M12 5WF. Return at 2pm.Accessibility information.
Make your own way
Clip and Climb Party
(4+) Saturday 8th August,12.30pm, at Summit Up Oldham, Sir Norman Stoller Way, Oldham, OL1 3SE. SEND-friendly activity with food provided. Age 4+ and children need to be able to hold their own body up. Find the place – parking available nearby.
Alpaca Walk and Feeding
(10+) Monday 10th and Friday 14th August, 11am, at Meadowcroft Farm Alpacas, Slaidburn Drive, Walshaw, Bury, BL8 3DG. Age 10+ Facebook page – see video. When you go up Slaidburn Drive, take the tarmac lane on the right and drive up until you see the black barn. Park on the gravel in front of it.
More to come from the Parent Champions and Regen Me!
Any questions around accessibility or support needs, please text or WhatsApp 07305 064229. The team are very busy, so it may a few days to hear back.
MANCHESTER PARENT CARER FORUM
Manchester Parent Carer Forum have a range of activities on offer for the summer holidays. This includes bowling, Early Years Stay and Play and fun days at museums.
All activities will be booked through Eventbrite. Please book on TWO activities only so more families can take part.
Half the places will go live on Wednesday 15th July, 10am.
The other half will go live on Thursday 16th July, 6pm.
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If you need help with the Eventbrite bookings, come to the Local Offer Drop In at the Woodhouse Park Lifestyle Centre in Wythenshawe next Wednesday. The first wave of bookings go live at 10am that day. (MPCF can't guarantee places.)
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More information on MPCF activities next week!
Cool to be You
(All ages) Before the holidays begin, MPCF have a Cool to be You Game Day. It's an inclusive get-together with parents/carers and children and young people with SEND. Enjoy games, books and snacks in the company of people of all neurotypes. It's on Thursday 16th July, 4.30-6.30pm at the North Star Centre, City View House, 5 Union Street, Ardwick, M12 4JD. Book here.
SENSORY ROOMS
Wythenshawe
(All ages) There are free slots from Wednesday 22nd July to Friday 28th August at the recently refurbished sensory room at Benchill Community Centre, Benchill Road, Wythenshawe, M22 8EJ. Each slot is for 45 minutes and on the hour. Drop in to the community centre or call 0161 946 9520 to book. For SEND families living in the Manchester City Council area.
Cheetham Hill
(All ages) Families can also spend time in the Sensory Rooms at Redbank House, 4 St.Chad’s Street, Cheetham Hill, M8 8QA, over the holidays. There are slots available at various times between 9am-4pm (on the hour for 50 minutes) during weekdays from Wednesday 22nd July to Friday 28th August. 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.
BANDAOKE - NEW!
Are you a young disabled and/or neurodivergent person aged 16-25?
Do you live in the Manchester City Council area?
(16-25) If yes, there’s a fantastic new activity for you as part of the SEND Community Offer – Bandaoke. Offered by Billy and Andy’s Music School, It’s like karaoke but with a live band.The first get-together is on Sunday 30th August, 7-9.30pm at 53two Theatre, Arch 19, Watson St, M3 4LP. It’s a chance to build your confidence, express yourself and connect with others in a relaxed, supportive atmosphere. You can perform your favourite songs in front a friendly audience or just come along to listen to some awesome music. Your families are welcome too. The venue is wheelchair accessible with an Accessible Toilet and Changing Places Toilet. Here is more information on the venue, including a video tour.
To book a place, send an email to info@billyandandy.co.uk, saying which songs you would like to perform. Or you can call 07429 826053 to book over the phone or to talk through support needs. A parent/carer can do this if you prefer.
If you need support with understanding how the various summer booking systems work, please call the Local Offer team on 0161 219 2125.
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Part of the SEND Community Offer for disabled and neurodivergent young people living in the Manchester City Council area
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MCR Social at Greater Manchester Youth Network (GMYN) supports 14–25 year olds to access fun and engaging social activities. This might be movie nights, café meet-ups, festivals and city exploration, as well as bowling, board games, arts and crafts, ice skating, rock climbing, nature walks and special interest groups, like fidget trading. Activities are chosen by young people for young people and can be tailored to individual interests and support needs. By joining MCR Social, young people can make new friends, build confidence and independence - and maybe discover new interests!
How to register
Send an email to roza.ayman@gmyn.co.uk and they will email you back with a secure link to a referral form. Once that has been completed and returned, a member of the team will be in touch to discuss support needs, interests and available opportunities.
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Ages 14–17: The referral needs to come from a parent, carer, social worker, support worker or other trusted adult. There are unlimited places for this age range.
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Ages 18–25: Young people can self-refer or a parent/carer/trusted adult can do the referral for them. There are up to 20 places available for this age group.
Roza will be the Wythenshawe Drop In on Wednesday 15th July (see below) to answer any questions and do sign ups in person.
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Get creative
(All ages) This summer, join relaxed and welcoming age-inclusive sessions with the Access All Ages Creative Community Hub at Central Library. Designed to bring communities together, it’s an opportunity to get creative through music, art, poetry, movement, storytelling and conversations. There are sessions on Monday 13th July and Monday 10th August,10-11.30am, in the beautiful Henry Watson Music Library at Central Library, St Peter's Square, M2 5PD. There will also be sessions in the autumn at The Bridgewater Hall. To get involved, email abi@imm-music.com.
Little HOME
(All ages) Little HOME invites families to a free weekend on August 1st and 2nd packed with fun, creativity, and entertainment for all ages. Enjoy a vibrant programme of family-friendly activities, from stage and street performances to film screenings, craft and creative workshops. HOME is at Tony Wilson Place, First Street, Manchester, M15 4FN. Here is access information.
Manchester Day 2026
(All ages) ¡Hola! Manchester - get ready for colour, creativity and a Catalan twist as the city comes together for its biggest day of the year. This year's Manchester Day is on Sunday 26th July, 12-5pm. It celebrates our city’s cultural links with Barcelona, and there’s also a book-inspired theme as part of the National Year of Reading. This is a free event - no tickets needed. Get updates here.
Sunday Funday
(All ages) As part of Manchester Day, enjoy a Sunday Funday at Central Library, 11.30-5pm. Meet favourite book characters, journey to Narnia, dance with the Animal Band and watch out for Captain Hook! Read all about it at Library Live.
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Wednesday 15th July, 10am-12 noon
Lifestyle Centre, Wythenshawe
Come along to the Woodhouse Park Lifestyle Centre, Portway, M22 1QW, for a brew and a chat with the parent/carer groups. It's one of the best things about our drop ins. They've been there and know what it's like. There are lots of professionals to chat to as well.
After a break in August, drop ins return in September
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Share views on PIP
Parent carers Jo Hampson and Amy Louise Seton are gathering views on Personal Independence Payment as part of the Timms Review on PIP. Here is a short survey. Jo and Amy would love to hear your concerns, but please do it soon. They have to send a response by 17th July. If you want to get in touch, contact Jo at jo_chloe@hotmail.com or 07745 164007.
Childcare survey
Manchester City Council is looking for feedback on families’ experiences of childcare in Manchester. There are two surveys – one for parents/carers of children aged under 5 and one for those with children aged 5 and over. Respond by Wednesday 22nd July, thank you.
The Big Future
The Children's Commissioner has launched a survey to hear from children and young people up to 18. The Big Future has questions about voting, school, their local area and online safety, as well as space to tell her what is important. The survey takes about five minutes to complete and has been designed to be easy to read so is suitable for many children with SEND to answer themselves or with help. Views will be taken to government to help make life better for children.
Use your vote
A by-election for the Mayor of Greater Manchester will take place on Thursday 30th July 2026. Here is information with key dates, including registering to vote and applying for a postal vote. If you voted in the local elections on 7th May, it is likely you are still registered. My Vote My Voice has easy read information around voting, including accessibility at polling stations.
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Learning about relationships
Manchester People First are offering free sessions for young learning-disabled adults about relationships. Run with Manchester Foundation Trust, it will cover 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. Includes a free lunch. Call to book - 0161 839 3700.
Coffee morning
There is a coffee morning on Thursday 16th July, 10am-12pm at North Star Centre, City View House, 5 Union Street M12 4JD with Manchester Parent Carer Forum and the Autism Navigators. It’s a relaxed opportunity to find out more about the changes to the autism and ADHD assessment pathways and get some community sign-posting and peer-to-peer support. Booking is recommended but you are free to drop in or leave any time.
Hot weather alert
There is a Yellow heat health alert for Manchester from 9am on Wednesday 8th July until 9pm on Sunday 12th July. Here is guidance to help keep you and your home cool - plus an easy read version.
Travel update
Major Metrolink renewal works will take place from Monday 13th July to Sunday 2nd August. During this period, no trams will run on the Altrincham, Eccles and Trafford Park lines. Services to East Didsbury and Manchester Airport will terminate at Firswood, while Rochdale services will terminate at Exchange Square. Replacement bus services will operate on affected routes. Check the latest travel information on the Bee Network website.
Best of Manchester
If you know an individual, group or organisation that’s an example of what Manchester is all about, there's still time to nominate them for the new Best of Manchester awards. Read more and nominate by Sunday 12th July.
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