Sounds Wild – RSPB Sandwell Valley
Sounds Wild uses music, sound, and natural multisensory resources to help us connect with nature.
Sounds Wild is designed to be accessible for Learning Disabled children and young people with complex support needs and their families.
Read more about Sounds Wild on the NHS Forest website.
Upcoming Sessions
Dates
More dates coming soon!
Times
the session or if you need to leave the session early, this
is fine, just let the Soundabout practitioners know.
Location and Travel
Address
RSPB Sandwell Valley, Tanhouse Avenue, Great Barr, Birmingham, B43 5AG
IMPORTANT – use address above, ensure it is not confused with ‘Sandwell Valley Country Park’.
Parking
There are 28 parking spaces on site with 2 Blue Badge spaces. The main car park has no height restriction barrier.
The route from the car park to the visitor centre is mainly tarmac with some rolled gravel for 10m.
Public Transport
Please see public transport information via this link:
https://www.rspb.org.uk/days-out/reserves/sandwell-valley
Accessibility Information
Visitor Centre Accessibility
The main entrance and throughout the centre it is step free and is level.
The main door is automatic and sliding. The floor surface throughout is non-slip tiles. The area is evenly and well lit with overhead lighting from halogen spotlights.
Outdoor Accessibility
Weather permitting, most of the Sounds Wild sessions will be outside. The trails are surfaced with rolled gravel and in parts ‘natural’ surface, that can be muddy if there has been recent rain.
There may be some uneven ground that may be difficult for wheelchair users in parts. However, the Soundabout team will set up in a space that is easy to access for all participants.
Toilet Provision
There are accessible toilets on site. They are located in the visitor centre. There is one unisex accessible toilet, which has level entry. All toilet areas have audio and visual emergency alarms.
There is a Changing Places toilet near by at Sandwell Park Farm Pavillion, click here for details about the toilet’s location:
https://www.changing-places.org/find?toilet=547
Participant Wellbeing
Staff will take care to keep music and sound levels at a comfortable volume for all participants.
There is plenty of grounds to explore at Sandwell Valley, if
participants feel overwhelmed or upset, there will be plenty of
space for a quiet moment.
If you have any concerns about the wellbeing or safety of anyone attending the sessions please contact Soundabout’s Community Support Lead and Designated Safeguarding Lead, Rebecca on rebeccatunley@soundabout.org.uk or 0773 7051135.
Getting to know you
When you sign up to Soundabout sessions you’ll be invited to share anything you’d like us to know about you. This could be how you communicate, accessibility information, sensory needs, and anything else you want to share. We’ll then use this information to help plan sessions.
You can contact Soundabout’s Community Support Lead, Rebecca, at any time to share information or ask questions.
Group Sizes
There are 8 participant spaces per session available for booking.
These sessions are designed for Learning Disabled people with complex support needs of all ages. Siblings and other family members are also welcome.
Parents / Carers
Participants must be supported by a parent or carer at all times when attending the sessions.
Venue Photos
Outside Space
Outside Space
Visitor Centre
Inside Space
What to wear and bring
As this is an outdoor venue, wear something cool if it’s a warm day. but it’s also advised to bring a jacket or blanket in case it’s chilly in the shade or if it’s not a sunny day. In the case of rainy weather, the practitioners will move indoors or have a gazebo.
Please bring snacks / refreshments with you to have during the break. Please avoid sharing snacks between participants due to allergies. There is an on site cafe that sells sandwiches, snacks and hot/cold drinks.
Booking Process
- Advance booking is essential. Please don’t turn up on the day without booking as there might not be space for you!
- We use a booking platform called ‘Enthuse’ for these sessions. You can book using the link below. If you have any issues using the booking system please contact us.
- Sessions are ‘Pay-What-You-Can’ with a suggested donation amount and always a £0 option.
Helpful names and faces
Two Soundabout Practitioners will facilitate the sessions.
Will Taggart
Music Practitioner
Karen Nicholson
Music Practitioner
Rebecca Tunley
Community Support & Safeguarding Lead
Any other information?
If you have any queries, concerns or need any support prior to the event or on the day, please contact:
Rebecca, Community Support and Safeguarding Lead: rebeccatunley@soundabout.org.uk or 0773 7051135