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Contents

  1. Learning Disability Today Event
  2. Moving and Handling Training for Carers - MCF
  3. Carers Week 2008 - interviewees required urgently!
  4. Carers Radio Show - ALL FM
  5. Carers UK Survey on Direct Payments
  6. Manchester Local Involvement Network (LINk)
  7. Manchester Carers Forum New Newsletter!
  8. Cerebra Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) Voucher Scheme
  9. Counting the cost - CAF survey
  10. EDCM Action - Help end the disabled children's housing crisis!
  11. Carers UK Survey on Direct Payments
  12. Signed Event at the Manchester Museum
  13. Drake Music Project - Newsletter
  14. Fundraising Stall for Summer Playscheme at Didsbury Fair
  15. Carers' Week 2008
  16. Manchester Carer's Forum Weekend Break
  17. New Parktastic! Sessions
  18. Mystery Shoppers Wanted - Access is Not an Afterthought!
  19. Blackley Drop-in
  20. P.O.S.Y (Parents of Special Needs Youngsters)
  21. NAS help! Programme
  22. South Manchester Down's Syndrome Support Group
  23. Project 4 Inclusion Allotment
  24. Wythenshawe Wheelers
  25. Manchester Actionnaires

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Learning Disability Today Event

Learning Disability Today is one of the biggest events in the UK on learning disabilities, sponsored by Society Guardian, Learning Disability Today magazine, British Association of Social Workers, Care Services Improvement Partnership, Voyage, Robinia, HFT, Possum, and Tunstall.

Learning Disability Today takes place at Manchester Central Convention Complex (formerly GMEX) on the 8th July,  and the day includes: Interactive zones including: art and creativity, assistive technology, careers and development; the exhibition of over 30 key organisations, suppliers and projects within the learning disability field; and we expect over 1,000 visitors. There will also be a comprehensive seminar programme covering:

Tickets: £20 in advance, £25 on the day, five tickets for £80. Call 0870 890 1080 or email at info@pavpub.com to book, or you can book online at >www.learningdisabilitytoday.com

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Moving and Handling Training for Carers - MCF

Manchester Carers Forum are supporting a training date for any unpaid carers to look at Moving and Handling techniques. The date of the training is Tuesday 17th June between 11 - 3pm. It's free to all unpaid carers in Manchester (or caring for someone in Manchester). Carers attending will also get a free Carers Handbook, there is a free light lunch on the day and we will provide expenses for carers. For travel cost we reimburse you at a rate of 40p per mile for car users. For public transport carers need to submit there receipts after the event (with their expense form). We provide sitting costs at £5 per hour which would total at £25 for this course (4 hours for the actual course time and a 1 hour travelling time allowance). 

To refer yourself and to share any of your expectations of the course (i.e. what they would like to learn about), please contact Nathaniel O'Brien, Carers Information and Development Worker, tel: 0161 819 2226, email: nat@manchestercarersforum.org.uk. 

website: www.manchestercarersforum.org.uk  

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Carers Week 2008 - interviewees required urgently!

Hi Everyone, With Carers Week 2008 almost upon us (see below), we are stepping up our efforts to let as many 'hidden' carers as possible know about the event and to raise the profile of carers in the city as much as possible. To do this we require media interest so that carers are in the pages of every local paper, every local TV station and every local radio station. Drumming up media interest however has proved a difficult task in the past...and that is why we need your help. 

The media often request case studies of carers from across the city and across service areas, and we would like to know of any carers who you know who would like to tell their story or simply say a few words for the media to use. Call Glenn on 0161 234 4254 or email glenn.street@manchester.gov.uk to get involved! 

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Carers Radio Show - ALL FM

ALL FM is a local Manchester community radio station that broadcasts across a large part of Manchester, including; Ardwick, Longsight, Levenshulme, Hulme, Moss Side, Openshaw and Beswick. A new radio programme for carers, presented by carers, will begin broadcasting on Tuesday 3 June at 12 noon and then fortnightly. The programme will be aimed at all carers and will include interviews, well being tips, relaxation techniques, event promotion and music. More details to follow! 

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Carers UK Survey on Direct Payments

Carers UK needs your help with a survey of carers' experiences of direct payments. Some carers and disabled people say direct payments have changed their lives for the better by giving them choice and control. Some carers say they feel like they are forced into accepting direct payments when they don't really want them or fully understand how they work. 

Carers UK wants to find out what the reality is, for carers and direct payments. We will use the experiences of carers around the country to press for change and share what works for carers. Because this is a very specific survey about social care we can only accept surveys from 

All information given will be confidential. Closing date for responses is Monday 16th June 2008.

Click here to take part in the online survey.   

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Manchester Local Involvement Network (LINk)

LINk is a network bringing together local people, organisations and groups who want to improve health and social care services in the city. The LINk's main job will be to: 

To get involved and to receive regular newsletters contact the Manchester LINk Support Team: Manchester LINk Support Team, Black Health Agency, Gaddum House, 6 Great Jackson street Manchester M15 4AX Phone: 0161 214 3909 email: manchesterlink@blackhealthagency.org.uk website: www.communityvoicesonline.org.uk

Click here to download a link flyer (Adobe .pdf)  

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Manchester Carers Forum New Newsletter!

Manchester Carers Forum's new newsletter looks at events happening locally and contains lots of useful information about events, courses and support in Manchester for carers. If you would like to receive an electronic or hard format newsletter then contact Nathaniel O'Brien, Carers Information and Development Worker at the office on 0161 819 2226 or e-mail nat@manchestercarersforum.org.uk.

Website: www.manchestercarersforum.org.uk  

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Cerebra Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) Voucher Scheme

If successful, the voucher is worth up to £500 of SLT. Cerebra will be using speech and language therapists who are members of the Association of Speech and Language Therapists in Independent Practice (ASLTIP). All ASLTIP therapists are certified members of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and registered with the Health Professions Council. With the voucher, Cerebra will send a list of ASLTIP therapists in the family's geographical area. The parents will need to contact a therapist who is able to help their child. The therapist must invoice Cerebra direct for payment. Cerebra is running the scheme again in 2008 with new criteria: 
  1. To receive a Voucher, you will need to fill out an application. 
  2. Cerebra will only be accepting for children aged 16 and under who have a neurological, brain-related condition (For example cerebral palsy, autism, Down's syndrome) If they are school-age, the child must have an SEN Statement or be on School Action Plus in Wales and England, a Co-ordinated Support Plan in Scotland or be on Stage 4 or 5 in N. Ireland. 
  3. The child must not have received one on one speech therapy in the last 6 months. 
  4. A reference must be sent with the application. If your child is school age, the reference must come from the school. Otherwise it should be from a professional who works with your child (health professional, social worker, Portage worker.) The letter needs to confirm your child's condition and recommend speech therapy. 

For more information or to make an application, please call Alex on 0800 328 1159 or e-mail alex@cerebra.org.uk. 

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Counting the cost - CAF survey

Finances can be a major concern for families with disabled children. It costs almost £7,000 a year more to raise a disabled child due to direct costs such as special aids and adaptations, transport, heating and childcare. With rising living costs affecting all families, Contact a Family wants to find out the effects on families caring for children with disabilities, serious health conditions or rare conditions living in the UK. This research will be used in future campaigning work. 

Please take the time to fill out our short online survey at http://www.cafamily.org.uk/quiz.html If you would prefer to have a hard copy of the survey ring our Freephone Helpline on 0808 808 3555 and request a copy of the Counting the Cost survey. 

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EDCM Action - Help end the disabled children's housing crisis!

EDCM's new campaign briefing 'Disabled Children and Housing' shows that families with disabled children may be the worst housed families in Britain. Less than half of disabled children live in housing suitable to their needs. WE NEED YOUR HELP to make sure government takes action to end this housing crisis. This is a brand new action from EDCM that you can do whether or not you have taken an action before. We need everyone who cares about disabled children to email their MP in this way and ask them to make the housing needs of families with disabled children a priority. Sending this email will only take a few minutes of your time and could make a real difference!

Please email your MP and ask them to help make this happen by going to http://www.edcm.org.uk/housing and click on take action! 

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Interconnections (IC) inter-disciplinary information service

The Interconnections Free Information Resource is aimed primarily at people, services and organisations who offer direct support to babies, children and young people (0 - 25 years) who have disabilities and special needs - and their families. The purpose of our Information Service is to provide relevant information to help these people, services and organisations in their efforts to support children and families. Our Free Electronic Bulletin carrying items of interest is mailed to over 10,000 people a month. Or Webmarket is a catalogue of useful services designed to help professionals, disabled young people and their families find what they need when they need it.We laso have an open listing of upcoming events,including conferences, seminars, training days, exhibitions, campaign meetings and more. 

Please let me know when you want to add, remove or alter a name on the list. This can be done by e-mail, telephone, fax, post or via the website http://www.icwhatsnew.com. Contact: Peter Limbrick, Interconnections, Parks Farm, Clifford, Herefordshire, HR3 5HH. Tel/fax: 01497 831550 E-mail: p.limbrick@virgin.net 

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Signed Event at the Manchester Museum

This Ideas Café: Sacrificial theory and Lindow Man, The Manchester Museum, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, Monday 16 June 2008, 6:30 - 8pm BSL interpreted. Free! Since he was discovered in a peat bog at Lindow Moss, Cheshire, in 1984, Lindow Man has been the subject of many historical, archaeological and scientific investigations. Curator of Archaeology, Bryan Sitch, explains his personal theory about Lindow Man's death. Booking essential. We look forward to welcoming you! If you require a one-to-one signer it would be helpful if we could know in advance. Please ring Tim on 0161 275 2726, email museum@manchester.ac.uk or text 07810 152655. For accessibility details please go to: www.manchester.ac.uk/museum/yourvisit/accessibility

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Drake Music Project

Drake Music works with disabled musicians to explore, compose and perform music. Find out here how you can work with us, help develop our new website and see our artists live. If you are a creative, enthusiastic musician, digital artist, dancer or technologist and would like to work with us as a trainee, volunteer or associate, then get in touch. We particularly want to 
hear from disabled musicians, composers or performers for our exciting regional programme. For more details about the project and to subscribe to the new newsletter, which has details of all Drake's exciting upcoming events, please visit www.drakemusicproject.org

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Fundraising Stall for MAP Playscheme at Didsbury Fair

The Club Rainbow Summer Playscheme will be running a fundraising stall at Didsbury fair in Didsbury Park on June 7th between 11am and 3.30pm. On sale will be food, drink, cakes, samosas, etc, as well as bric-a-brac and other fun items!

All proceeds will go towards making Club Rainbow a success this summer, so please buy generously! See you at the fair!

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Carers Week 2008!

10.00am-2.30pm, Thursday 12th June, The Great Hall, Manchester Town Hall. 

Carers Week aims to make more people aware of the issues that carers face and make more carers aware that there are services out there to support them. This year, Carers Week will see carers' services from across Manchester coming together to give carers information, advice and pampering...but it's for one day only, so don't miss out! 

Simply come along on the day or call Glenn on 0161 234 4254 for more information. 

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Manchester Carers' Forum Weekend Break

The next carers group break opportunity will be taking place on the 13th June 2008. This will be a 3 night dinner, bed and breakfast break at the fantastic Copthorne Hotel which is situated right in the middle of Birmingham city centre. We will be close to the local attractions such as the Bullring shopping centre, the Watersedge development and local theatres and concert halls.

If you would like to apply for a place and do not have an application form please email rick@manchestercarersforum.org.uk and he will send one out the same day. The final date for submitting application forms is Monday the 26th May at the close of business (4.30pm). Any late applications sadly cannot be considered. 

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New Parktastic! Sessions

Parktastic are now delivering sessions in Queens Park on Rochdale Road in Harpurhey Park on Saturdays between 1pm and 2.30pm and in Cringle Fields Park on Crossley Road in Levenshulme/Burnage on Sundays between 11am and 12.30pm. 

These activities are suitable for all children between 4 and 16. The sessions steer clear of sporting activities, concentrating more on fun and adventure: everything from climbing trees, sliding through mud, tug-of-war, hide-and-seek, making dens and campfires and toasting marshmallows. While all this is going on parents can get hot food and drink and take a well-earned break. 

For details of the great sessions that have just finished running in Crumpsall and Brookdale Parks, please see our latest newsletter. For further information on the project please ring Gareth at MAP. 

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Mystery Shoppers Wanted - Access is Not an Afterthought

Arts About Manchester's In Touch campaign is working with arts organisations across Greater Manchester to improve access for Deaf and Disabled people. They are recruiting a team of people (Mystery Shoppers) to visit arts venues - including theatres, museums and galleries, music venues and cinemas - and report back on the experience. The information gathered will be shared with the arts venues and will help to make positive changes to their accessibility. Mystery Shoppers will receive free training, support and guidance on how to report back, free tickets, free meals and drinks and invites to events. Most importantly, you will be involved in changing the way non-Disabled led organisations view access.

If you are interested in becoming a Mystery Shopper and would like more information please contact Emma Walker, Audience Development Manager at Arts About Manchester:

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Blackley Drop-in

There is a new weekly drop-in for children with disabilities and their siblings on Saturdays between 10.30am and 12 noon at the Blackley Sure Start Centre, 160 Victoria Avenue, Blackley. Parent carers are very welcome to stay for a hot drink and a chat.

For more information call Maria at MAP.

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P.O.S.Y. (Parents of Special Needs Youngsters)

Are you a parent/carer of a child with special needs/disability and interested in meeting other parents.

P.O.S.Y are a small group of parents that come together one Thursday evening per month pm to 9pm over at St. Aidan's House on Wythenshawe Road. The group meetings give parents an opportunity to come together to share experiences, ideas and information in an informal setting.

For more information contact Bella Jones: 07824 329 347

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NAS help! Programme

If your child has been diagnosed with ASD within the last 18 months and is aged between 3 and 12, the National Autistic Society's help! programme provides information about your child's rights, entitlement to services, and welfare benefits. A finger lunch is provided and there is no cost to parents. For details of upcoming programmes please phone Clare or Suzie on 0161 946 1193

help! 3-day programme, Preston - Wednesday 5th March 2008, Friday 7th March and Friday 14th March, St. Mary's Church Hall, Cop Lane, Pentwortham, PR1 0XE. To book a place contact Clare Naylor on 0161 946 1193

help! one-day programme, Chester - Wednesday 12th March 2008, Cheshire County Sports Club, Plas Newton Lane, Chester, CH2 1PR, 9.30am - 2.45pm. To book a place on this programme, please phone Clare or Suzie on 0161 946 1193.

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South Manchester Down Syndrome Support Group

This group meets the second Friday of the Month between 10am and 12pm at Burnage Children's Centre, Broad Hill Road, Burnage. Provides the opportunity to meet other parents and carers to exchange ideas and support and there are sometimes invited speakers on various topics. While parents meet and chat, children will be looked after by a play-worker, and the centre has a lovely sensory room. 

For more details ring Bernadette on 0161 862 9083.

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Project 4 Inclusion Allotment

P4I's allotment in Harpurhey requires your help! They urgently need donations of time, tools, seeds or plants. Anyone with experience of gardening or cultivating allotments would be very welcome. Please contact Roger on 0161 202 6431

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Wythenshawe Wheelers

Has added sessions to it's popular programme of cycling with accessible adapted bikes for people with a range of disabilities.

For more information call Nicky or Oli

on 0161 232 3116/3125

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Manchester Actionnaires

Manchester Actionnaires is run by Action for Blind People to create sporting opportunities for blind and partially sighted people across the UK.

If you have any questions about Manchester Actionnaires, please call Ross Ford on 01772 320550 or 07900 026830 you can email ross.ford@actionforblindpeople.org.uk. Ross is in charge of Actionnaires in the North West.

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Newsletters

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Map posts newsletters to all families who have children on the database. If you want to use our newsletter to tell people about an event or a service, please Contact Us and ask for Stuart.

Copies of all our newsletters are available in PDF format (file size is shown to give an indication of download time).

Download Our Latest Newsletter

Issue 17 April 2008 (6.8 Mb) - Latest Issue!

Download Back Issues

Issue 16 October 2007 (7.2Mb)
Issue 14 June 2007 (2.3Mb)
Issue 13 December 2006 (1.1Mb)
Issue 12 February 2006 (0.2Mb)
Issue 11 October 2005 (9.5Mb)
Issue 10 March 2005 (3.5Mb) )
Issue 9 October 2004 (4.4Mb)

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