Local Activities and Clubs to Join
Sale Sharks Down's Syndrome Rugby
Young 'uns Sport Sessions
There are multisport sessions coming up for 5-10 year olds with SEND on Sunday mornings 9am-10.30am at Denmark Road Sports Centre, Ardwick, M15 6FG, £2 per session. Starting Sunday 12th May, they’re an opportunity to explore a range of sports and games in a fun way, especially basketball and cricket. Siblings welcome. There is some flexibility with the top age limit, but the general idea is that when children hit 10, they start transitioning into other sessions. This includes the Champions Sports Club on Friday evenings, 6-8pm, also at Denmark Road Sports Centre, aimed at 11 plus and including adults, £2. The first hour is a 'do what you choose' style session where people play a range of sports amongst themselves with support from the volunteer team; the second, a cricket session. No need to book for the sessions, but it’s helpful to let Jacob or Amlyn know you are coming for the first time – contact jacob@dosportuk.co.uk or alayton@lancashirecricket.co.uk, 07799 639838.
Roller skating sessions
The SPACE group Manchester and The Local Offer team have teamed up to offer monthly exclusive hire roller skating sessions! The first is Saturday 18th May 5-7pm at Ardwick Sports Hall, 225 Stockport Rd, M12 4DY. For a chance of free places, please text your name, children’s names plus their date of birth, and your postcode to 07749 116211 on Friday 26th April between 6-8pm. Please send only one text and within the time period. Any texts out of this time may not be responded to.
Music and skateboarding
Free music-making and skateboarding sessions - Flip - are at Projekts skatepark near Piccadilly Station every Wednesday 4.30-6.30pm in term time. It is a chance for young people with SEND aged 11-25 who live in the Manchester City Council area to enjoy an hour of skateboard coaching, followed by an hour of music-making with Billy and Andy who offer accessible music workshops. Families are welcome to hang out in the cafe during the sessions or watch the skateboarders from the viewing balcony. To book places, contact info@billyandandy.co.uk, 07429 826053.
Quiet mornings at The Whitworth
Quiet Mornings are back at Whitworth Art Gallery. These free sessions run from 10.30am to 12.30pm and there’s no need to book, just drop in. Upcoming sessions are: Sunday 19th May. These multi-sensory play sessions are specially designed for families with additional needs who may prefer a quieter, calmer environment. The sessions are designed so that children lead the way and move around in their own time and at their own pace. Find out more from The Whitworth.
Inclusive Fitness at Life Leisure
Life Leisure are introducing an Inclusive Fitness program at their Houldsworth Village gym for those with disabilities and additional needs aged 13+ who would like to use the gym in an adapted environment.
This means quieter times, no music, easily accessible, trained staff etc.
They will be held on Saturdays at 12:30pm. The afternoon will consist of a ‘Welcome Session’ which is an introduction to the gym environment,with up to 4 welcome sessions available for FREE to each individual.
From 2:30pm-4pm the gym will remain an adapted environment with a coach at hand for assistance.
If this is something you or someone you know may be interested in please contact Inclusion Officer phillip.sutton@lifeleisure.net or head to https://
www.lifeleisure.net/inclusion/ for information on more inclusive sessions.
Netball
There’s a fantastic free ParaNetball offer for young people (11-25 years) who are deaf or disabled. It’s for both boys and girls, with qualified coaches, as part of a partnership between Manchester Thunder and the famous Manchester drinks brand Vimto. There are two sessions:
1st Saturday of the Month: 10-11am, Wright Robinson College, Off Falmer Road, Abbey Hey Lane, M18 8RL (Upstairs sports hall - lift available)
3rd Saturday of the Month: 10-11am, Woodhouse Park Lifestyle Centre, Portway, Wythenshawe, M22 1QW NEW!
Please book onto sessions in advance through the Manchester Thunder website.
Cricket
Super 1s is a Lord’s Taverners programme designed to give cricketing opportunities to young disabled people aged 12-25. There is a free session on Friday evenings, 7-8pm, at Denmark Road Sports Centre in Moss Side, M15 6FG (free or £2 if young people join the multi-sports with Champion’s Sports Club from 6-7pm). Find out more on the Lancashire Cricket website. The contact is Amlyn Layton, 07799 639838, alayton@lancashirecricket.co.uk.
SEND Dads Society
The SEND Dads Society meets every third Thursday of the month at Heaton Park Golf Club.
Please visit this link for more information: http://manchesterparentcarerforum.org.uk/send-dads-society/
MCR Social
MCR Social is a fantastic new programme supporting disabled and neurodivergent young people aged 14-18 to access all that Manchester has to offer. Whether it’s live music, cinema, bowling or shopping, MCR Social arranges free entry with a volunteer to support the activity every step of the way. After an initial online meeting to plan some activities together, the young person gets up to six sessions, lasting up to six hours each. The young person needs to live in the Manchester City Council area and is asked to apply with the support of an adult – use this application form. If you have any questions, including accessibility around applying and taking part, get in touch with Trystan - trystan.kent@gmyn.co.uk, 07708 022320. Part of the SEND Community Offer in collaboration with Greater Manchester Youth Network (GMYN).
Aspire
Aspire is a theatre project for young people with learning disabilities. Classes for 8-12 year olds are on Mondays 4-5pm. Classes for 13-19-year olds are on Tuesdays 5-6.30pm. Find out more here.
Expressive Edge
A theatre company for adults with learning disabilities at The Edge in Chorlton. Sessions run every Thursday during term time from 10.30am-12.30pm. Find out more here.
Expressive Too
A theatre company for adults with learning disabilities at The Edge in Chorlton. Sessions run every Tuesday during term time from 2pm-4pm. Find out more here.
Stepping Out Dance Company
A dance and movement company for adults with learning disabilities at The Edge in Chorlton. Sessions run every Thursday during term time from 1.30pm-3pm. Find out more here.
Street Dance Class
A street dance class for young people with Down syndrome 17+, every Wednesday 7.15pm- 8pm at Dance Smithy Dance School, Lumb Lane, Bramhall, Stockport SK7 2BA. Currently, there are 8 young people in the class but would really like a few more to join. For details please call Caroline on 07542294931 or email ccksheehan@gmail.com
Youth Club
A youth club for young adults with Down syndrome 17+ with pool table, Wii, table tennis, X Box, computers and tuck shop, and with separate room for parents/carers to enjoy a chat and coffee. Held every second Monday 7-9pm in Bramhall, Stockport. For details please call Caroline on 07542294931 or email ccksheehan@gmail.com
Triple C Accessible Youth Theatre
TripleC, a disabled-led creative arts organisation, has places on its free Youth Theatre designed for deaf, disabled and neurodivergent young people aged 8 to 16 with a passion for the performing arts. It’s on Mondays at 53two in the city centre, Arch 19, Watson St M3 4LP. The sessions, led by professional actors and directors, are in two age groups: 8-11 years, 4.30-5.30pm and 12-16 years, 6-7.30pm. Although the current term started in January, they welcome new faces each week and always have something new and exciting to get involved with. If anyone is new or misses a couple of sessions, there won’t be any pressure to catch up. Please book through Eventbrite. The Spring/Summer term 2024 will be from 22nd April until 8th July.
Hulme Youth Club
Community Kitchen chef Roger is running a new free youth club in Hulme for young people aged 11+ with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). It involves cooking and eating at each session, as well as arts and crafts, and sports. The club is every Wednesday, from 4.30-7.30pm at Procter Learning Centre, Hulme Street, Off Jackson Crescent M15 5EF. Booking essential - call Roger on 07970 922132. Delivered by the Targeted Intervention Group CIC (TIG) and funded by the National Lottery Community Fund.
Free relaxed concerts
Chetham’s School of Music offer relaxed performances for a range of audiences, including families, autistic and learning disabled people, and those new to concerts and performances. They are on the first Wednesday of each month in term time, starting at 1.30pm for about an hour. Performances in the first half of the year include 1st May and 12th June 2024. They’re held in Stoller Hall, in the centre of Manchester, featuring performances by some of the UK’s most exciting young musicians. The environment is set up so people feel welcomed. There’s no dress code, you won’t be shushed by an usher, and you can eat and drink. Find out more and book. Here is information on accessibility to support your visit. If you have any further questions about access or the programme, please get in touch with annacarley@chethams.com.
Rugby Star* Scheme
The rugby star* scheme transforms the lives of children and young people aged 4-18 years experiencing adversity in childhood. It can support you and your family to enjoy the benefits of being part of the local rugby community, including help with the costs of playing. The scheme is especially keen to work with young people experiencing SEMH (social emotional and mental health) difficulties. Contact Tom Kenny, tom@starscheme.co.uk, 07528 483800, www.starscheme.co.uk.
Manchester Local Offer Drop-Ins
Manchester Local offer drop ins are monthly free events 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 news bulletin nearer the time.
Future drop ins, 10am-12 noon:
Wednesday 22nd May, Harpurhey Neighbourhood Project, Conran St, Harpurhey, Manchester M9 5PR.
Wednesday 12th June - Venue to be confirmed
Wednesday 10th July - Manchester College, Openshaw
August - Summer break
