A Fun-Filled Inclusive Manchester Half-Term – February 2020

As the school half-term approaches, it can become overwhelming trying to plan a truly inclusive, fun-filled week of activities to keep the whole family entertained – so we hope this list of events and sessions will help you look-forwards to the week ahead, and give you all a chance to get out and enjoy some quality family time!

 

Family Fun Soft Play at Grange School

Date: Monday 17th of February 2020
Time: 10:00am – 12:00pm
Location: Grange School, Matthews Lane, Levenshulme, M12 4GR
Cost: 50p per child
Need to book in advance? No, simply drop-in

Grange Specialist school are opening their doors to all parent-carers and their families so everyone can come and enjoy the on-site soft play facilities. As well as the inside soft play area, there is also an outside space for any children who might need a break from being indoors. Refreshments will be available from the conference room.

Please note you must remain with your child during the session.

 

Image is a photograph of a group of people looking over the edge of a balcony inside the Bridgewater Hall

Image courtesy of Bridgewater Hall

BSL (British Sign Language) Guided Tour of the Bridgewater Hall

Date: TUESDAY 18th of February 2020
Time: 11:45am – 12:45pm
Location: Bridgewater Hall, Lower Mosley Street, M2 3WS
Cost: £6 per person
Need to book in advance? Yes

An excellent opportunity for those with hearing impairments and their families to have an insider-tour of the splendorous Bridgewater hall. The concert venue has hosted a whole plethora of artists since it opened its doors in 1996, including performances from both classical and contemporary musicians.

The guided tour gives an informative insight into the International Concert Hall and allows the tour party access to a number of exclusive areas that are usually closed to the public.

The tour will last approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes, and will include a BSL interpreter.

Please note that one section of the tour is not wheelchair-accessible, however the rest of the tour is fully accessible.

To book please click the link below:

https://www.bridgewater-hall.co.uk/whats-on/bridgewater-bsl-tours-180220/

Open Doors ASD Session at Manchester Art Gallery

Date: Thursday 20th of February 2020
Time: 10:30am – 12:00pm
Location: Manchester Art Gallery, Mosley Street, M2 3JL
Cost: Free
Need to book in advance? No, simply drop-in

Join the Manchester Art Gallery team for an exciting, creative morning of inclusive costume-making for World Book Day! The Clore studio will be host to a costume factory, where children with autism and communication difficulties can design, cut, stitch and colour felt masks, headdresses or whatever their creative hearts desire!

Families are also welcome to roam the grand halls and galleries to admire the fantastic collection of artwork available at Manchester Gallery, or even stop for a bite to eat at the cafe.

There is also a quiet room available for anyone who needs it.

 

Inclusive Computer and Gaming Club

Date: Friday 21st of February 2020
Time: 5:30pm – 7:30pm
Location: The Phoenix Youth and Community Centre, St Mary’s Road, Prestwich, M25 1GG
Cost: Free
Need to book in advance? Yes

Phoenix Community Centre hosts a regular inclusive gaming and computer club for children and young people aged 11-25. The next session will be on Friday the 21st of February, and the space where the event is hosted is a SEND safe space, to provide extra peace of mind.
The friendly, fun gaming club is ideal for any children who love video games and computing, and will provide an excellent opportunity to make new friends in a supportive environment.
Refreshments and a quiet room are available for those who might need it.

Please note you must remain with your child during the session.

To book please click the link below:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/phoenix-inclusive-computer-gaming-club-tickets-93258744415

 

Image is a photograph of a woman stood in a swimming pool, smiling at a young girl who is sat on-top of a pool float

Floats and Fun Inclusive Swim Sessions – Every Sunday

Date: Every Sunday, including Sunday 23rd of February 2020
Time: 9:00am – 11:00am
Location: Moss Side Leisure Centre, Hulme High Street, Moss Side, M15 5NN
Cost: Children under 17 swim for free in school holidays. Adults £3.40.
Need to book in advance? No, simply drop-in

Moss Side leisure centre is now hosting relaxed swimming sessions developed with Manchester Parent Champions, that are suitable for children with autism and SEN. The sessions run every Sunday morning, including the up-coming Sunday of the half-term holidays.
The sessions will include lots of fun floats and a relaxed environment to ensure the whole family can have a splash!

Don’t forget! All children and young people under 17 years of age can swim for FREE at any public swim session across Manchester during the school holidays!
For more info please visit: https://mcractive.com/free-swimming

 

Be Hear Now Music Session

Date: Sunday 23rd of February 2020
Time: 10:30am – 12:00pm
Location: Bridgewater Hall, Lower Mosley Street, M2 3WS
Cost: Under 19 years £3.00 – Adults £5.00 – Carers Free
Need to book in advance? Tickets can be purchased on the day, but best to book online in advance

Be Hear Now sessions at the Bridgewater Hall are a truly relaxed, accessible experience, with live music played acoustically by professional musicians on various classical instruments – including calming and rousing musical pieces from around the world, that are both classic and contemporary in style.

Children and young adults are free to move around the performance hall, and later in the session a workshop lead by Beth Bishop includes group games encouraging everyone to engage hands-on with the music, using lots of different instruments provided at the session.

To book tickets, click the link below:

https://www.bridgewater-hall.co.uk/whats-on/be-hear-now-230220/

 

Image is a photograph of children dancing around the Grand Hall of the Whitworth Art Gallery

Image courtesy of Whitworth Art Gallery/Mossa Movement

Mossa Movement Inclusive Dance Sessions

Date: Sunday 23rd February 2020
Time: 3:00pm – 4:00pm
Location: The Whitworth Art Gallery, Oxford Road, M15 6ER
Cost: ‘Pay as you feel’
Need to book in advance? No, simply drop-in

The Mossa Movement dance sessions are back at the beautiful Grand Hall of the Whitworth Art Gallery! Each session is a relaxed, inclusive experience for children with autism and additional needs to come and let their creative spirits soar with music, dance and movement games. There are no restrictions or rules to the sessions; just a warm, welcoming large space to allow your child to express themselves through the art of movement.