Help us fund a SEN DEN outside our café

Aim

Help us fund a free-to-use SEN DEN. A space in Cringle Park - for anyone who needs a bit of time out, an area to chill and be yourself.

WHO ARE WE?

Grounded MCR CIC is a community café/social enterprise based in Cringle Park in Levenshulme. On the surface, we serve coffee, drinks and food from our café, but anyone who knows Grounded knows we aren't just about coffee.

Over the past few years we’ve become a meeting point for the community. Parents stop by while their kids play, dog walkers grab a brew, neighbours get talking, and people who might otherwise spend the day alone find somewhere friendly to sit for a while. We’ve hosted free activities and community events but a lot of what Grounded is really about, happens in the ordinary moments - the chats across the counter, the conversations between strangers who become friends, and a space where everyone is welcome.

We speak with lots of customers about what family life is actually like for them. Parents tell us about juggling work, childcare and the cost of living. We meet families navigating working poverty, people feeling isolated, and parents trying to raise children with additional needs, in a broken system.

One thing mentioned repeatedly, is that while Cringle Park is a fun place for families, it can also be overwhelming for many. A busy environment, noise and crowds can quickly become too much, especially for children with additional needs. Often the alternative is to spend lots of money on specialist/SEN settings, which compound the issue that SEN families just want to spend time and not much money on a simple trip to the park.

Parents have told us that sometimes their child just needs a calm place to sit and regulate for a few minutes - somewhere quieter, where they don’t feel judged if their child is having a difficult moment. Conversely, there are many carers who need to sit down whilst their child is entertained in a safe space, with lots to play with/satisfy their sensory needs. At the moment, that kind of space doesn’t really exist in the park, so often the only option is to leave. 

We can change that - and offer a free space that caters to all SEN needs. 

THE SEN DEN

We want to create a dedicated sensory space - somewhere calm, welcoming and thoughtfully designed where families can step away from the busy parts of the park. This space will feel like a den - wooden, natural and a little bit magical. We’re inspired by woodland, fairies, elves, leaves, water flowing, things to fiddle with and softness - somewhere that feels playful and inviting, with low lighting. A space that can be both stimulating and soothing, in different areas.

We imagine natural materials, sheltered seating, and a layout that feels tucked away and calm. Somewhere parents/carers can sit comfortably while children decompress, regulate and reset, as sometimes the smallest changes make the biggest difference. For families raising children with additional needs, something like this can completely change whether a trip to the park works or not.

This isn't just for children - this project is a direct response to what you have been telling us - having a quiet space means people don’t have to cut their visit short when things become overwhelming. The money we raise will go towards designing and building this space so that it is practical, comfortable and welcoming. Hopefully it'll look something like the pic!

We see how powerful small local spaces can be when they are welcoming and inclusive. We see friendships forming, parents supporting each other, children gaining confidence and families feeling more connected to where they live. But inclusion doesn’t just happen by saying everyone is welcome. Sometimes it requires noticing what is missing and doing something practical about it.

With your support, we can create a space that helps families with SEN children feel more comfortable, more included and more able to enjoy their time in Cringle Park.

HOW WILL WE RAISE THE MONEY?

We are the Awkward Runners and we're gonna run 10K. That's right - this collection of unlikely Cringle Park locals are running the AJ Bell Manchester 10K on 31st May, and we need your help. Every penny of the money donated will go towards the build of the SEN DEN in 2026. If we don't hit the target we will continue to fundraise until we do. 

Meet the runners:

Maren: "I never imagined I'd willingly take up running. I hadn't run since high school and hated it then. Turning 50 last year was kind of a turning point for me."

Lauren & Nat: "We are not runners, but we do like a challenge and we are really keen to make Cringle Park the most inclusive place it can be. We've got all the gear and no idea, but Lauren's an ex-A&E nurse so she can perform CPR if necessary. We fully blame Maren for making us do this race."

Daphne and Frankie: "We're excited to run the Juniors race and meet lots of new people. We want to help raise money to build the special area in the park so people can have a calm and nice place to be. We can't wait to meet the Gladiators."

Harry: "I just can't wait to blitz Lauren."

Dylan: "After spending most of my early teenage years on cringle park and now using it to get into running again, it only felt right to support Grounded and continue the parks development and its amazing community 😊."

Joanne: "After a 6-year long break, I've been persuaded by the team at Grounded to get back on the road and do the Manchester 10k. I'm really enjoying my training (and feeling the benefits too!) and I'm excited to be supporting this fundraising for a SEN/quiet zone at this fantastic café and community space."

Amy: "Looking forward to this - it'll be great day and hopefully we can raise lots of money!"

Thanks for taking the time to read this.

Wish us luck - we'll need it.

THE AWKWARD RUNNERS TEAM AND GROUNDED MANCHESTER CIC

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Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 7th June 2026 at 3:53pm