Children's Library: The Z-Arts Children’s Library in Hulme is a fantastic facility open to children across the city. It is home to lots of books that celebrate diversity and has been designed for families where there are disabilities and additional requirements. More on the Z-Arts website.

Culture in the city: Go to Visit Manchester to find information on museums, galleries and libraries, theatre performances and film, music and dance, and a special section with events just for families.

Donkey Sanctuary: The Donkey Sanctuary in Gorton is open to the public every Saturday and the first Sunday of each month. Entry is free but they welcome donations. The site and toilets are wheelchair accessible. Please book in advance through their website.

Heaton Park: This huge family park is four miles north of the city centre. One of the highlights is the free animal centre with resident alpacas, goats, rabbits, guinea pigs and poultry. There are two free play areas and lots of places for walking and picnics. During the season, there is rowing and tram rides (paid activity). Find out more on the Manchester City Council website.

Inclusive cycling: Simply Cycling run low-cost adapted bike sessions starting on the hour for 45 minutes at Wythenshawe Park, Longford Park and Boggart Hole Clough. They also offer group and 1-to-1 rides. There are Simtech sessions on alternate Thursday evenings 5-6pm at the Velodrome. Sessions open to any rider age 12+ with either physical or learning disability. £9-10. See the National Cycling Centre website for more information and to book.

Football with Manchester United Foundation: Manchester United Foundation runs Ability Counts, a PAN-disability football programme for players with disabilities aged 5-25 and their friends and family, every Friday evening at The Cliff Training Ground in Broughton, Salford: 7.00-7.45pm, mixed group, ages 5-11; 7.00-7.45pm, girls only group, 7.45-8.30pm, mixed group, ages 12-16; 8.45-9.30pm, mixed group, ages 16-25. Find out more on the website.

Football with City in the Community: Free disability football clubs are available on Mondays and Tuesdays for children and adults with most disabilities at the City Football Academy, Etihad Campus. These clubs are not suitable for wheelchair users and are held at the indoor dome. Additionally, on Saturdays, a free club for individuals with Down Syndrome, Dwarf Sports, and Visual Impairments takes place for ages 6 to adult. Interested individuals can contact paul.kelly2@cityfootball.com, 07881343844.

MANCYCLES cycling for young people with SEND/SEMH: Young people aged 11-16 with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs and/or SEND can take part in a weekly cycling project in Hulme. Part of the SEND Community Offer for young people living in the Manchester City Council area. For more infomation and how to book contant info@manccycles.co.uk, 07970 922132

Disability cricket: Super 1s is a Lord’s Taverners programme designed to give free cricketing opportunities to young disabled people aged 12-25. Find out more on their website.

Boxing: There is a free 12-week Boxing and Mentoring Programme for 10-18 year olds, 4.30-6pm on Thursdays at Collyhurst and Moston Boxing Club, 1 Oscar Street M40 9DE. Whilst not SEND-specific, it’s an inclusive session that will work with the needs of the young person. If there is someone aged up to 25 with SEND who would be interested, get in touch for a chat. Find out more on their website and contact Martin for a referral form, martinroberts.cmbc@yahoo.com, 07359 475014.  

Leisure in the city: Find out about leisure activities in the city on the MCRactive website.

‘One City’ Multi-Sport and Youth Club: Free disability club on Tuesdays term-time 6-8pm, for 12 to 25 year olds at the Lifestyle Centre, Portway, Wythenshawe M22 1QW. Suitable for all disabilities, including wheelchair users. Contact paul.kelly2@cityfootball.com, 07881343844.

ParaNetball Club: There's a free ParaNetball Club at Wright Robinson Sports College, Gorton on the first Saturday of every month, 10-11am. It's for girls and boys aged between 9–25 with SEND and is fully inclusive. One of the coaches is deaf and able to offer additional support to anyone who is deaf or has a hearing impairment. Siblings welcome - although they will not be able to take part in competitions. See the webpage for more information and how to book. The contact is Katie at katie@manchesterthunder.co.uk.

Physical Activity Referral Service (PARS): Manchester has a free 10-week programme for children and young people aged 5-17, connecting them with inclusive sports and activities in their local neighbourhood. It welcomes children and young people with SEND who are above a healthy weight. For referrals, speak to your GP practice, school nurse, or any other health professional, or self-refer via the website or by contacting the practitioner in your area: 

Daniella - Gorton & Hulme - daniella.hall@more-life.co.uk, 0755 7888574

Adam - Wythenshawe & Fallowfield - adam.gosling@more-life.co.uk, 0788 7663509

Zoe - Harpurhey & Moston - zoe.spence@more-life.co.uk, 0754 8761230

Akil - Old Moat & Crumpsall - akil.robinson@more-life.co.uk, 0754 3507308

To find out more, contact juniorpars@more-life.co.uk, 0161 511 0300.

Powerchair football: Manchester United Foundation run weekly sessions at the Moss Side Millennium Powerhouse, open to wheelchair users of all ages. The session on Thursdays, 5-7pm, is for more advanced players, with access to their own powerchairs. Saturdays, 1-2pm, is the development session for beginners who have access to their own powerchairs. For more information see the Foundation’s website.

Skateboarding and music-making sessions - FLIP: Free sessions at Projekts Skatepark near Piccadilly Station for young people with SEND aged 11-25 living in the Manchester City Council area. Part of the SEND Community Offer. For more information contact info@billyandandy.co.uk, 07429 826053.

Swimming: Inclusive swims at Moss Side Leisure Centre are free as part of the SEND Community Offer for families living in the Manchester City Council area. Sessions are every Sunday 9-11.30am, providing a calm environment. There is no need to book – just turn up at the leisure centre. There is free swimming for under 17s in the city during the school holidays and at selected times during term-time weekends - see the Manchester Active website or Wythenshawe Forum's own webpage.

Heaton Park: This huge family park is four miles north of the city centre. One of the highlights is the free animal centre with resident alpacas, goats, rabbits, guinea pigs and poultry. There are two free play areas and lots of places for walking and picnics. During the season, there is rowing and tram rides (paid activity). Find out more on the Manchester City Council website.

Loads To Do: Check out Loads To Do, a one-stop shop to finding out about culture, leisure and sports activities in the city and near you.

Manchester Deaf Centre Children and Young People’s Service: The service works with children and young people from 0 up to 24 years old, welcoming Deaf, Hard of hearing and Deafblind children and young people, as well as children of deaf adults (CODA) and those who have deaf siblings. See more at the Manchester Deaf Centre website.

Mini Members Club: There’s a fully inclusive Mini Members Club for children aged 4 to 7 and their parents at Manchester Youth Zone in Harpurhey. Sessions are every Sunday 10.30am till 12 noon, including arts and crafts, sports, messy play and more - for just 50p per child. Snacks and refreshments provided and siblings welcome. No need to book. For more information contact Tia.Kelly@manchesteryz.org, 0161 203 5333.

Sensory rooms: Disabled Living have sensory rooms at Redbank House, north of the city centre from £10 for the hour. Parents and support workers free of charge. There is also a low-priced sensory room at Benchill Community Centre in Wythenshawe. 

Skateboarding and music-making sessions - FLIP: Free sessions at Projekts Skatepark near Piccadilly Station for young people with SEND aged 11-25 living in the Manchester City Council area. Part of the SEND Community Offer. For more information visit the Projekts website or contant info@billyandandy.co.uk, 07429 826053.

Creative wellbeing - Starling: Starling offer creative arts sessions for young people aged 13-25 who identify as neurodivergent. That includes autism, ADHD and experience of social anxiety. No formal diagnosis required. It's a friendly and relaxed group with activity offered by professional creatives. Register here: https://starlingcio.org/reg-form/ or find out more about them on starlingcio.o.

Music Centres: Manchester has a range of inclusive and open access music centres across the city that offer free activities. There are seven centres, with musical activities and pathways for all ages and abilities, including steelpan, Irish music and Eastern European music. This includes free dedicated inclusive sessions at the South Music Centre in Chorlton High School - Saturday Sounds. Check out the My Hub website for venues and activities. 

ReVAMP (Accessible Music Productions): A project at Contact Theatre for music lovers, makers and shakers aged 18-30 who identify as disabled. AMP (Accessible Music Productions) at HOME Mcr has moved to Contact. It is a project for music lovers, makers and shakers aged 18-30 who identify as disabled. It’s a chance to create music collaboratively, as well as hosting performances and events with other like-minded people. Working in partnership with Venture Arts, AMP workshops support musicians to write, play and create music from an eclectic mix of sounds. Sessions are every other Wednesday from 6-7.30pm. To sign up, complete the online form or contact bethrigby@contactmcr.com, 07776 511255.

The Horsfall: The Horsfall, the creative programme of 42nd Street, has regular creative activities for young people experiencing difficulties with their mental health and emotional wellbeing. Find out more on the website. 

Museums and Galleries in The City: Check out each site for visitor information:

Manchester Art Gallery

National Football Museum

Museum of Science and Industry

People’s History Museum

HOME

Manchester Museum

Whitworth Art Gallery

Castlefield Gallery

Museum of Transport Greater Manchester

Manchester Jewish Museum

Open Doors at Manchester Art Gallery is a series of creative workshops especially for autistic children and their families and carers. 

Quiet Sundays at The Whitworth are multi-sensory, open-ended family play sessions every last Sunday of the month at the Whitworth Art Gallery. 

The National Football Museum have monthly relaxed mornings on Sundays 9-10am for neurodivergent adults and children. Admission is free and there is no need to book. See the museum's What's On for more information.

Gaming sessions: Join Everyone Can at their Technology and Gaming centre in Sale for their popular gaming sessions for disabled children. They have various games and control methods to ensure everyone can game, matching technology to your children’s needs. Find out more and book here.

Spectrum Gaming: Spectrum Gaming is a friendly and accepting community for autistic children and young people who have a shared passion for gaming. They can make friends, play games together and have fun. The group was set up by autistic advocates in Greater Manchester who oversee the community, but all decisions are made by the young people. Find out more on their website.