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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 in is on Wednesday 17th April, Moss Side Power House, 140 Raby Street, M40 4SL, 10am-12 noon. These monthly free events are for parents/carers and young people with SEND up to 25 in the Manchester City Council area. They offer a chance to talk to a range of services and get support. Look out for the drop in newsletter bulletin nearer the time.
OUR MAY DROP IN:
Our planned drop in at Manchester Youth Zone isn't going ahead due to refurbishments. We are looking for an alternative venue in the north of the city and will let you know when arrangements have been made.
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Easter Fun
SEND Fun Day, Easter Sunday 31st March, 1-4pm, Manchester Youth Zone, Rochdale Road, Harpurhey M9 8AE. An event with Manchester Parent Champions and Regen.me.uk, including craft activities, food fun, sports and facepainting. Find out about the new refurb and how things are changing for the better. No need to book – just drop in.
Stay and play
Join Manchester Parent Carer Forum and Martenscroft Children's Centre for a morning of free fun for families of children with SEND aged 0-5 years living in Manchester. It’s on Monday 8th April, 10.15-11.45am at Martenscroft Nursery School and, Sure Start Children's Centre, 33 Epping Street Manchester M15 6PA. There will be loads to do, including outdoor play, bubbles, tactile and messy play, music and art, plus a pop-up sensory room for children who want a chill-out space. Book through Eventbrite.
Spend time in the Sensory Rooms at Redbank House in Cheetham Hill over Easter. There are slots available at various times between 9am-4pm (on the hour for 50 minutes) during weekdays from Tuesday 2nd April to Friday 12th April. For families living in the Manchester City Council area. Book directly with Redbank House on 0161 214 5959.
Families also have free use of the Sensory Room at Benchill Community Centre, Wythenshawe, over Easter. Each slot is for 45 minutes and on the hour, weekdays. It's Tuesday 2nd April to Friday 12th April. Drop in to the community centre or call 0161 946 9520 to book. For families living in the Manchester City Council area.
Spring Forest School
The SEND Forest School is back for the Easter for families living in the Manchester City Council area. There’s also a new location, with activity at Beswick in North Manchester. Dates are:
- Beswick Hive, The East Manchester Academy, Manchester, M11 3TA. The entrance is via the gate to the side of the library. Monday 1st and 8th April, Tuesday 2nd and 9th April. Book through Eventbrite.
Both offer an outdoor stay and play activity in a fenced community garden - drop in any time between 11am-3pm, vegetarian lunch around 12.30pm, snacks on the fire from 2.15pm. Suitable for all ages and developmental stages. Booking is essential through the Eventbite links. Let Sian know of any access needs when you book. Any extra enquiries to: Sian Millward, hello@manchesterbeesforestschool.co.uk, 07506 342945.
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Check out Loads To Do for what's going on in your local area and across the city during the Easter holidays. There's plenty on offer across parks, sports, libraries, galleries and more to keep you and your family entertained without breaking the bank.
Over the Easter holidays, there are lots of places where kids can eat for free or for a £1. See Money Saving Central.
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Dingley's Promise
Manchester is proud to be one of 32 local areas taking part in the Comic Relief funded Dingley's Promise training for early years staff. It's helping to support children with SEND in their settings and school nurseries. Manchester already has 1300 staff and parents signed up to the Dingley's Promise courses. Congratulations to the 8 childminders and schools that have gained the Dingley's Promise Mark of Achievement! To sign up, email [email protected]
See Dingley’s Promise on You Tube for free training and resources for anyone in the SEND field, whether a professional or parent/carer, including communication boards, core Makaton signs and story times.
Internship Opportunity
Manchester is taking part in a pilot programme that is opening up supported internships for a small number of young people who do not have an EHCP. DISC, the Digital Independent Specialist College, has two vacancies for young people aged 16-24, living in the Manchester City Council area, who have SEND but not an EHCP and have a passion for digital work. See the flyer for more information.
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In the next section, read the great news about Caprice who did a supported internship with DISC.
Help prevent measles
Measles is an infection that spreads very easily and can cause serious problems in some people. Having the MMR vaccine is the best way to prevent it. Manchester’s public health team have easy read information in different community languages and animations, including one in British Sign Language. There is also this short video from Manchester GP and Associate Medical Director, Dr Murugesan Raja.
Bladder and bowel health
A new series of informative resources, produced by Bladder and Bowel UK’s team of specialist nurses, explores topics ranging from 'How to talk to a family member about incontinence' to 'Who can help me if I am concerned about my child's bladder and/or bowel health?' The campaign also includes an anonymous survey asking how supporting someone with incontinence might affect your wellbeing and what would help.
Our Manchester
Our Manchester will be a new ten-year vision for the city – one that takes us from 2025 to 2035:
- What makes you proud about Manchester and your area?
- What should Manchester do next to make its mark on the world stage?
- What do you want Manchester to be like in the future?
- If you could do one thing to make Manchester better, what would it be?
- How do you think Manchester can make this one thing happen?
The Our Manchester plan will be shaped by you – every resident, family, business and neighbourhood. Invest ten minutes of your time to be part of your city's future.
Access to health services
A group of North West England parents and carers, researchers, charity and NHS staff are working together on a study about what makes it difficult or what helps families to access health services. This might be entry into buildings, making appointments or getting letters. The survey for is for neurodivergent/disabled carers who have a child who is neurodivergent or has an additional need aged 0-25 years and living in the North West. Find out more on Manchester Parent Carer Forum’s Facebook page.
LGBTQ+ survey
Calling neurodivergent LGBTQ+ young people aged 13-25! What kind of resource and information would you like? Share your thoughts in this short survey. This work is being done by Greater Manchester Autism Consortium in partnership with a wide group of organisations, including The Proud Trust, Manchester Pride and the LGBT Foundation.
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Caprice wins Buzz Award
Congratulations to Caprice Dipple, SENDCode Content Creator, for winning the 'Outstanding achievement by a young person' at the Youth Buzz Awards 2024. As well as designing our fabulous new logo, Caprice produces content for the Manchester Local Offer to increase engagement amongst young people. Find out more about Caprice and check out their social media – Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok.
A round of applause also to Regen.me.uk and the Manchester Jubilee Youth Champions for their nomination for Children’s Rights Champion in the Buzz Awards. Manchester JYC are based at Manchester Youth Zone and raise awareness of the equality act 2010, as well as helping design new services and future projects.
The SPACE Group shines
The Be Proud Awards celebrate Manchester's many volunteers and the unsung heroes who make Our Manchester great. Congratulations to The SPACE Group who recently won in their category - Promoting Equality and Diversity. We’re proud of you and all parents/carers in the city who do so much for families.
The SPACE Group have been nominated again for the Community Organisation Award for Disability in the National Diversity Awards 2024. Give them your vote!
Spirit of Manchester Awards
The Spirit of Manchester Awards are a series of awards celebrating and highlighting the excellent work being carried out in Manchester’s voluntary and community sector. Nominations are open until Friday 3rd May. Get nominating!
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Beaver Road Primary School
