W/C 17.3.2026
Hello Everyone
Hope you are all keeping well. Coming up on the 21stMarch is World Down Syndrome Day and this year the theme they are asking supporters to talk about is for everyone around the world to stand ‘Together Against Loneliness’ . Everyone feels lonely sometimes but for many people with down syndrome and other learning disabilities and or autism, loneliness is a more common and painful experience. This can also feel the same for their families, feeling cut off from support. Please follow the link to learn more about this important day and how we can break down barriers and tackle loneliness for everyone. About the 2026 theme - World Down Syndrome Day
Here is the rest of my bulletin I wish to share with you.
- Hopes and Beams Community Choir - Please see the attached poster Kate and the team at Hopes and Beams would love you to come along and join in the fun, no experience needed and suitable for all.
- MHA Communities Services – please find attached details of social groups and activities for people aged 55 and over in the Macclesfield and surrounding areas.
- ND Directed Insight ADHD Courses – these are free courses being offered across Cheshire East for individuals, parents and professionals who want structured support and ADHD education from trusted specialists please follow the link for more details. Courses – ND-Directed
- Kings Trust, Crewe – please see the attached leaflet and information about the next programme which is starting on the 11th May, as you know these 12-week programmes get booked up very quickly and there are limited places, Sarah and Rosie would love to hear from anybody that would be interested. This is for anyone aged between 16-25 that is not in education or will not be on the 11th May and is also not on any other employment programme. They would love to hear from you so they can tell you more about what they offer and how they help. This is open to all young people across Cheshire East but takes place in Crewe. Their main base is very close to Crewe train station and is on main bus routes too.
- Hope Centre, Macclesfield – please see the attached poster with all the details of the weekly activities there is lots of fabulous things going on also they have a Bingo Party coming up please also see the details shared for this.
- Adult Carers - Sense-Making Sessions: Carers Support in Cheshire East - As part of the work re-designing support and services for adult-age carers, we’ve been recording the experiences of carers in Cheshire East through open, relaxed conversations. We’re now inviting people to explore what we’re learning from these stories and what they show us about how support for carers could be improved.
Sense-Making Workshop: Carers Support in Cheshire East - These workshops create a relaxed space for people with lived experience of caring, practitioners, and service providers to explore what the stories we’ve gathered are telling us. Together we’ll reflect on how these stories feel, how they connect to our own experiences, and what they mean for improving support for carers.
Aim of the Workshop - These sessions help us build a collective understanding of what matters most to carers in Cheshire East. We’ll identify the themes that need attention and shape practical, human-centred recommendations for strengthening support to carers.
The themes and recommendations, alongside the learning from the listening workshops in February and March, will be used to inform the next phase of codesign of support for carers. Where: Online via Zoom
When:
· Tuesday 14th April 2026, 10:00-11:30AM
· Tuesday 14th April 2026, 6:00-7:30PM
· Wednesday 15th April 2026 1:30 – 3:00PM
· To book onto a session please follow this link For any booking queries please contact hello@curatorsofchange.com
- Coffee and Chat, Dunelm Crewe – please see the attached poster for anybody that would like to pop along.
- Looking Forward Activities **NEW** Silent Disco Night – please see the poster with details of this new weekly event starting on the 2ndApril for ages 16+. You must book in advance .
- Teen Stop Smoking Challenge, One You programme – my colleague Lucy has asked me to share this again as this available for sign up, up until 31st March this is an opportunity to start a smoke free reset and at the end of the 4 week streak there are incentives including a £20 love to shop voucher free swim, class and gym membership when you join the programme and if you complete the challenge you unlock 12 more weeks of free fitness. This is for young people aged 12-16years follow the link to find out more https://www.oneyoucheshireeast.org/the-reset-challenge/
- Easter in Macclesfield – taking place on the 4th April there will be and Easter Hunt, crafting with art space and walkabout acts all taking place in the town centre 11am – 3pm. This is a free event for all ages for everyone to get involved and Macclesfield Town Council are offering free buses to the town centre please see the poster with further details of this.
- Macclesfield Artspace, Mandala – please see the poster with the event taking place everyone welcome to come along and join in with this community activity either at the Market Place in the centre of Macclesfield during the Treacle Market or at Artspace.
- Congleton Town Community Health and Wellbeing Event – don’t forget taking place tomorrow the 17th March the Health and Wellbeing Fair is taking place go along and find out about all the fabulous community groups and support that is available in Congleton and surrounding areas for everyone. I have attached the details for more information.
- Preparing for Adulthood Handbook ***NEW*** - please follow the link to our new booklet which we hope shares with you a lot more useful information and contacts for where to go to. Preparing for Adulthood Booklet and the QR Code below if that helps.
Regular updates included.
- Time out Group – have shared with us the activities but I have also shared the main link as it shares with you what’s on and lots of other information including what the groups are like, support and help available Home - Time Out Group also due to Monday Makers being a very popular session, they are extending the session. The new start time will be 10am-12.30pm ( Cost £17.50). This will start on Monday 13th April after their Easter break.
- Wishing Well, Let’s Get Social – Please see the schedule for March and I also I have included their Wellbeing Wednesday sessions open to the person and their carer to go to both of which I have attached.
- Space4autism – What’s on Guides, please see their new details shared as to what is coming up for March, lots of support help and activities for everyone to get involved What's on Guide | Autism Awareness Charity | Space 4 Autism also don’t forget if as a member you are looking to build confidence learn new employability skills and need some support and guidance they have their Launchpad and I have attached all the details including details of the Charity Shop too.
- Choice Support – please follow the link for the Partridges Day Service and what they offer Choice Support | Partridges Day Service Cheshire and I have also attached their poster shared for March.
- Friends For Leisure – have shared with us what is going on in your area with them from January to March 2026 for our young people including their 15 and up groups 1 to 1 Friendship and bowling groups, drama sessions and lots more across the Cheshire East footprint please follow the link for all the details and the main FFL Flyer What’s going on in your area
- Wingate Centre, SPARKS – please follow the link for the regular activities and what is going on for adults and young people to get involved with at the centre and at Crewe Lyceum with Lyceum Lites SPARKS | The Wingate Cente
Spotlight information
National Supported Internship Day
National Supported Internship Day – What Is It?
National Supported Internship Day celebrates and raises awareness of Supported Internships- a programme designed to help more young people with learning disabilities or who are neurodivergent move into paid employment. Supported Internships are available to young people aged 16–24 who have an Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP).
The programme is ideal for young people who want to work but would benefit from the support of a job coach to build their skills, confidence, and independence. Support from the job coach begins intensively—providing 100% support—before gradually reducing as the young person grows in independence, with the long‑term goal of moving into paid employment.
Cheshire East Events – Week Commencing 23rd March
Two local events will be taking place, and you will need to register- using the links below to attend.
Please note that places are limited, so early booking is recommended.
- Crewe: Tuesday 24th March
Municipal Building, 5:15–6:30pm
National Supported Internship Week 2026 (Crewe Information Session) – Fill in form
- Macclesfield: Friday 27th March
Macclesfield Town Hall, 9.45- 11:00am
National Supported Internship Week 2026 (Macclesfield Information session) – Fill in form
These events are an opportunity to find out more, ask questions, and hear first-hand experiences from interns, job coaches, and employers.
What’s Happening in Schools, Colleges and Education Providers?
Cheshire East will be sharing a range of resources with schools and colleges to help raise awareness of Supported Internships. These materials will be used during tutor time or tutorials.
As parents and carers, you can also access these resources on the below webpage.
National Supported Internship Day 2026
Work Placements – How They Work
A Supported Internship is built around four key components:
- the young person
- the education provider
- the job coach
- a meaningful work placement
Interns spend around 70% of their time in a workplace, learning real skills for real jobs with the support of their job coach. Many employers find Supported Internships create a valuable new recruitment pathway, while interns get the chance to demonstrate their abilities—almost like a working interview.
If you or your employer/business would be interested in finding out more, we would love to hear from you. Please email:
supportedemployment@cheshireeast.gov.uk
Cheshire East has also created a free e-learning package to help employers understand how to support interns. Please access our webpage for more information about getting involved as an employer.
Useful Links
Supported Internships – More Information
Supported Internship Website
I have also included a poster shared by Zoe and the team with the QR codes for booking a place at the events.
Cost of living help and support
IMPORTANT LINK Cost of living (cheshireeast.gov.uk)
|
Have a good couple of weeks, take care and stay safe.
Kind regards
Sarah
Sarah Jacklin
Local Area Coordinator | Adult Social Care Learning Disability and Preparing for Adulthood Team | Cheshire East Council |Macclesfield Town Hall, Market Place Macclesfield, SK10 1EA
