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Your Local Offer Newsletter

Since publishing the first of these newsletters just before the pandemic, there have been over 60 issues! We would love to know what you think of it – what you like and what you want more of. Please tell us in our short survey - it only takes a minute or two. Thank you!

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The return to some normality from COVID we’ve worked so hard for is currently under threat. The new variant is up to 60% easier to spread and has led to an increase in COVID cases and admissions to hospital. The key thing protecting us in Manchester is the vaccination programme:

• If you’ve waited for your first dose of the vaccine, now is the time to book immediately to help make sure we don’t go back to more restrictions. All adults can now be vaccinated.  
• If you’ve had your first dose, it’s now really important that you make sure you have your second dose when booked. Whilst the variant has some resistance to one dose, two doses give a very good level of protection.

You can find a full list of pop-up clinics for first and second doses across the city here.

Remember, the risk from the vaccination to individuals is incredibly low – the risk of not having it is much higher, to both ourselves and our city.

Changes To The Roadmap

As you’ll know by now, England remains in Step 3 after the government announced a 4-week pause. It’s expected we’ll move to Step 4 on 19th July, though this is under review. The government will continue to monitor the data and the move to Step 4 will be confirmed one week in advance. Find out what you can and cannot do. There is also this additional advice from Manchester City Council with the city being in the Enhanced Response Area.

Support With Self-isolating

This Manchester leaflet - ‘10 ways to do your 10 days’ – gives some suggestions for helping to self-isolate safely. There is also Manchester City Council’s dedicated helpline for residents. It can help with a range of needs, including delivery of food and medication, and managing fuel top-up payments. Call 0800 234 6123 on Monday to Friday between 9am-5pm. A text messaging service has also been set up - text 078600 22876 and your message will be responded to by the next working day. This video in British Sign Language (BSL) tells people about the service and how they can get support. The Council also has a coronavirus information hub. Please don’t be afraid to ask if you need help.

COVID Vaccine Passport

The Government has updated its advice on how people can demonstrate their vaccination status. This allows you to show others that you’ve had a full course of the COVID-19 vaccine when travelling abroad to some countries or territories. A full course is currently 2 doses of any approved vaccine.

Love In Lockdown 

This free wordless story - Love In Lockdown - shows that with a bit of creativity people can lead lives filled with love even in the most extraordinary circumstances and how important vaccine uptake is for getting that long-awaited face-to-face meeting and hug. It has been produced by Books Beyond Words, who've created free picture stories and illustrated guides to support people with learning disabilities and autism through the coronavirus pandemic.

Stuff To Do 

Free Theatre At The Forum 

Go on a special cosmic journey created by Forest Tribe Theatre who make original shows for children and families. ‘Evolve’ is an immersive theatre production for children aged 7+ years and for children with autism and complex learning needs. It’s at Forum Library in Wythenshawe on Saturday 10th July, 11-11.40am. Call the library on 0161 227 3770 or bob in to book. Spaces are limited so it’s first come first served.

Drama With Odd Arts

Odd Arts have an exciting programme of free summer activities at Moss Side Powerhouse. It includes their weekly drama drop-in which runs until 19th July and 1-to-1 creative sessions to increase confidence. Sign up with Odd Arts at [email protected]. If a young person has additional needs, let Yasmin know and they will be supported to take part and have fun.

The Crisp Sandwich Cafe

Autistic young people (aged 14-24) are invited to take part in the development of a unique immersive dance experience looking at the climate crisis. There will be two 30 minute performances of ‘The Crisp Sandwich Cafe’ each day between Monday 9th to Wednesday 11th August at Kimpton Clocktower Hotel in the city centre. It will be autism-friendly throughout and set up for COVID-safety. The performances are for up to 8 autistic young people accompanied by carers/family/friends or single groups of young people accompanied by their group leader/s. Find out more and register your interest here.

Hulme Is Where The Art Is - This Weekend!

This annual festival on Saturday 26th June 12 noon-4pm has something for everyone. Venture Arts, Z-arts and Hulme Community Garden Centre partner for a load of fun in the park. You can find out more on Z-Art's website. While it’s currently a non-ticketed event and you can just turn up on the day, keep checking the page in the run up in case government guidelines on outdoor events change.

Look For A Book

Join ‘Read Manchester’ at Wythenshawe Park on Saturday 3rd July, 11am-3pm, and get searching for hidden books! See if you can find one of the hidden bags containing a book token and other goodies. The bags could be hidden in trees, under benches or in some long grass. There’s also live storytelling sessions with Angela from Manchester Libraries at 11am and 1pm and an exciting Nature Quest. Please register for the event here, where you can find out more, including COVID safety.

The Festival Returns

Manchester International Festival is back from 1st-18th July! There are lots of free events, all set up in a COVID-safe way. Check out the free trail Captioning the City and the huge installation in Piccadilly - Big Ben Lying Down With Political Books. There’s also Festival Square each day, with a takeover by Manchester's communities on Saturday 3rd July. See the full programme here. If you’d like to receive news about access performances, you can register for a MIF account, selecting the access options.  

News In Brief

The Greater Manchester Autism Consortium (GMAC) is holding a Dad’s Drop In Zoom session on Tuesday 6th July, 7-8.30pm. It’s been requested and run by dads for dads and will be a safe to share experiences of raising an autistic child. Places are for parent/carers only and need to be reserved by 1st July. More information here. Call 0161 998 4667 or email [email protected]. Support will be given on how to join online via Zoom.

A survey has been developed to support the work of the Greater Manchester autism post-diagnosis working groups. They want to hear about the lived experience of autistic children and adults, as well as family members, to understand what is currently available and where the gaps still are. You can find the survey here, closing date: 5pm Friday 2nd July.

The booklet Mental health support in Greater Manchester for adults has information on where to get support. You can find more on this Greater Manchester website and in our Coronavirus Advice and Information under ‘Emotional & Mental Wellbeing’ and ‘Young people’.

Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission have published their final report from their programme of interim visits to local areas - SEND: Old issues, new issues, next steps. It looks at the history of SEND reforms over the last ten years and the impact that the pandemic has had on children and young people with SEND and their families. There is also a commentary which shares more information about the plans for the new area SEND inspection framework and is summarised in this short video.

With face-to-face benefit assessments resuming, Citizens Advice has taken a look at the lessons that need to be learned from disabled people’s experiences over the last year.

Course For Young People

Digital People is a new course for 16-24 year olds in Greater Manchester who want to work in tech. The team are especially keen to hear from people with special educational needs and disabilities. It’s 15 hours a week for 3 months. No experience or qualifications needed, just a real interest in digital and a willingness to learn. There’s lots of support from a friendly team and a supportive group of learners. Here’s the link to apply. Courses are on a rolling programme - Friday 9th July is the next closing date. If you have any questions, email [email protected].

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