Sense volunteer newsletter, February 2023

If you need some session inspiration, why not tie your activities to what is going on in the wider world? One of our pairs, JS and KO, celebrated Burns Night in January by making the following fantastic Scottish flag form upcycled materials!

Here are some other ideas you can carry forward from events in the February calendar. Some may have already happened, but it’s never too late!

• Thursday, February 9^th was National Pizza Day! Do you NEED a better excuse to get baking with your Virtual Buddy? Let us know if you’d like a supermarket voucher to get your ingredients, and then get creative whipping up some tasty Italian treats! Don’t forget to send us pictures of your creations!  
• Monday, February 20^th was Love Your Pet Day! It could be your own pet, your Buddies, a friends’, or a family member’s…whoever your four-legged, feathered, or finned friend is, why not celebrate them with your Virtual Buddy by doing a pet-themed craft activity, some animal-themed creative writing or plan a pet-themed quiz to test your knowledge?  
• You can also find some great Valentine’s Day craft ideas here  – thanks for sharing, Dee! 
• And finally, don’t forget the wonderful World Book Day falls on Thursday, 2^nd March 2023. Whether you’re matched with a child or an adult, get stuck in with some crafts based on your favourite books or characters, or even dress up and have a book-themed virtual tea party- don’t forget to send us the pics!  

Manchester

Golden Mummies of Egypt Exhibition (free): Explore Ancient Egypt for yourself! The museum aims to be ‘the most inclusive and caring’ they can be, with a quiet room, sensory bags, and other inclusive features.

• Address: Manchester Museum, Oxford Rd, Manchester, M13 9PL
• Date/Times: 18^th February- 31^st December 2023, 10am – 5pm (Saturdays 8am – 5pm) 

Circus Funtasia (£8 plus £0.67 booking fee): Bear witness to some amazing feats… hear the roar of motorbike engines, feel the heat of the fire-breathers flames, see stunning aerialists and a hair raising performance on the Wheel of Deathand laugh out loud with award-winning comedian ‘The Geek’. Book online at TicketSource. 

• Address: Wythenshawe Park (Entrance off Gib Lane), M23 0BA
• Date/Time: 16^th – 26^th February 2023, various times 

Bury Transport Museum: Find a treasure trove of vintage vehicles to discover and period costumes to try on, alongside loads of hands-on activities to get stuck into. The museum opens on 11^th March.

• Address: Castlecroft Goods Warehouse, Bolton St, Bury BL9 0EY. 
• Date/Time: From Saturday 11^th March, 10am – 4pm 

Quiet Sundays at The Whitworth Art Gallery (free): Join these multi-sensory, open-ended family play sessions every last Sunday of the month at the Whitworth Art Gallery. They are designed for a quieter experience, with children leading the way in their own time and at their own pace. Held in the School of Creativity space, they are free and there’s no need to book – just turn up any time between 10.30am and 12.30pm. The next one is Sunday 26th February.  

• Address: The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M15 6ER
• Date/Time: Every last Sunday of the month  

London

Mighty Mega at Discover Children’s Story Centre – Saturdays up until 1st April. A free club for disabled children and children with SEN, and their families or carers. On Saturday mornings, explore Discover’s magical and accessible play spaces, take part in craft activities, and join a visiting artist for a creative workshop. Plus, access digital resources to explore at home in your own time.  

Changing Currents at SPACE Ilford – From 8th February – 1st June. Can we build a better world together? An Exhibition co-created with Arup and Beal High School.

Story Tech Coding and Animation at Fulwell Cross Library – Saturday 4th and Saturday 18th March. Join us for story tech coding and animation fortnightly at 2pm. Booking is essential please call or email the library to sign up.

Frozen Jr at Kenneth More Theatre – 17^th, 18^th and 19^th March. A story of true love and acceptance between sisters, Frozen JR. Expands upon the emotional relationship and journey between Princesses Anna and Elsa. 

Deafening Wernicke at Redbridge Drama Centre – Thursday 9^th March. A new play written by Stephanie Barrows and David Alexander to celebrate International Women’s Week (6-11 March 2023) and British Sign Language Week (13-17 March 2023).   

Redbridge Schools’ Choral Festival at Royal Albert Hall – Monday 13^th March. The event will feature students from Redbridge Primary and Secondary Schools, Redbridge Music Service, Redbridge Youth Theatre, and Redbridge Drama and Dance Course.