Sounds Wild – Wendover Woods
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
We’ve finished our summer 2026 sessions at Wendover Woods.
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 and Outdoor Accessibility
As this is an outdoor venue, the grounds can be bumpy and uneven at times. The site is wheelchair friendly in terms of pathways being wide enough and level.
Wendover Woods has an accessibility webpage with detailed information: click here.
The Soundabout Team will guide you from the car park to the music-making area, approximately a 4–5 minute walk away. The paths are level but may be bumpy in places, and the final part of the walk crosses a short section of grass and slightly rougher, compacted ground. Please take care when moving around the site.
Toilet Provision
There is a changing place facility on site containing a toilet, hoist and bed situated next to the Information point. The door width is 94cm and has a standard radar key lock.
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 Wendover Woods, 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
Paths
Changing Places Toilet
What to wear and bring
Please ensure you wear something cool if it’s a warm day. We have a gazebo that we will sit under in case it rains but please bring something waterproof to move around the grounds if it’s raining.
Participants should have suitable clothing/skin protection for the weather. If hot and sunny weather hats, sunglasses, suncream; if it’s wet – rain protection (i.e. coats/all-in-one rainsuits/ponchos/umbrellas).
Sturdy footwear (for mobile participants) is also advised.
There is a cafe on site in the visitors centre however, please feel free to bring your own food and drinks. Please don’t share food and drink in between participants in case of allergies. Participants must be supported by a parent or carer if attending the event.
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.
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