Manchester City Council recently published in the SEND Local Offer their “FAB STUFF TO DO SUMMER 2019“, which shows a number of exciting disability-friendly activities and events happening in & around Greater Manchester over the summer holidays.

It is a fantastic resource, with details of over 30 things-to-do in July and August, as well as information about a few local organisations that can help and support families of children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

We polled our MPCF steering group members for the stuff they like the most from the list, and here’s our (unofficial) Top 5 based on the team vote:

  1. Disability Cycling

    2. Simply Cycling is a charity that provides friendly all-ability cycling sessions in a social environment across different locations in the city. They host weekly sessions at Boggart Hole Clough in North Manchester, Longford Park (Chorlton/Stretford area), and Wythenshawe Park in South Manchester. They also regularly organise “Ride Outs” as well as the occasional special cycling trips outside of the city.

    You can learn more about them by visiting http://www.simply-cycling.org.

  2. Autism-friendly Cinema Screenings

    3. Dimensions has partnered with ODEON, Cineworld, Vue, Showcase and Picturehouse to host autism friendly screenings at over 350 cinemas nationwide. On Sunday mornings every month, they show films suitable for all audiences in a sensory friendly and inclusive environment.

    What’s more, if your child or young person has a CEA card, s/he would be able to bring a carer to watch the film for free.

    You can learn more about the autism-friendly movie screenings by visiting https://www.dimensions-uk.org/get-involved/campaigns/autism-friendly-cinema-screenings/

  3. Festival in the Park

    4. “Festival in the Park” is Lifted’s annual disability-friendly fun day, held at Wythenshawe Park Athletics Track. In addition to the wide range of specialist and regular bicycles provided by Simply Cycling, this inclusive event also features other fun stuff such as a bouncy castle, outdoor soft play area, face painter, and more.

    There will also be service providers and SEND groups holding stalls around the track, so you can find out about what support and services are out there for families.

    You can learn more about Lifted’s summer event by visiting http://liftedcarerscentre.org.uk/event/festival-in-the-park-2019/

  4. Mossa Movement

    5. Mossa Movement is an inclusive and creative dance workshop, open to all children and families with additional learning needs. It is usually held at the Whitworth Art Gallery.

    While the Local Offer lists that there will be sessions on 30 July and 10 August, The Whitworth’s website says that there will be no July sessions due to the Manchester International Festival.

    Please check with Mossa Movement via Facebook before coming on the day, to avoid disappointment. We are waiting for a response as well and will publish here once we hear from them.

  5. Manchester Art Gallery (Open Doors Autism/SEN Workshop)

    6. Open Doors are monthly Saturday morning sessions specially aimed for children with autism and other social communication issues, their families and carers. Every third Saturday of the month, MAG opens early at 9:15am so families can experience the gallery at a calmer, quieter time. Staff on hand have had autism awareness training and there’s a quiet room available when needed.

    You can learn more about MAG’s Open Doors sessions by visiting http://manchesterartgallery.org/learn/families/art-clubs/

The Manchester SEND Local Offer

Aside from listings of activities and events for SEND families happening across Manchester, the Local Offer contains all sorts of information that would be useful for people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and their parents/carers. This includes info about services and support available for Education, Health and Social Care; the law and your rights; travel and transport; and many more!

Visit https://www.manchester.gov.uk/sendlocaloffer to access Manchester’s Local Offer website.

Visit this link to download the “FAB STUFF TO DO SUMMER 2019” booklet, or view it through the gallery below.

  • Cover page of Manchester Local Offer's "FAB THINGS TO DO SUMMER 2019", showing the Local Offer logo, the document title, and an illustration of a girl & a boy walking
  • Shows the colour coding scheme for the Local Offer's "FAB THINGS TO DO SUMMER 2019" plus a few of the events' details
  • Shows the weekly events' details from the Local Offer's "FAB THINGS TO DO SUMMER 2019"
  • Shows event details from Manchester Local Offer's "FAB THINGS TO DO SUMMER 2019" for 20-28 July
  • Shows event details from the Local Offer's "FAB THINGS TO DO SUMMER 2019" for 29 July to 4 August
  • Shows event details from Manchester Local Offer's "FAB THINGS TO DO SUMMER 2019" for 5-18 August
  • Shows event details from the Local Offer's "FAB THINGS TO DO SUMMER 2019" for 19 August onwards
  • Shows the last page of Manchester Local Offer's "FAB THINGS TO DO SUMMER 2019", which includes an illustration of someone swimming and the logos of Manchester City Council, Lifted and Venture Arts