a weekly music group for people (16+)
with learning disabilities and autism

WHAT IS
DABBLE AND SCRUNCH?

Established in 2021, we have been running sessions with the goal of providing fun and accessible music sessions for people aged 16+ with a range of disabilities and additional needs.

Our sessions are ideal for adults with additional needs requiring care from parents or carers. We welcome those with, but not limited to Autism, Asperges, Down’s Syndrome and Intellectual Disability (ID).

Key Info

WHEN AND WHERE
DO WE MEET?

We meet at Allens Cross Community Association on Thursdays during the West Midlands school terms at 6:30pm

24 Tinkers Farm Rd, Birmingham B31 1RH

Some details about the space:

Accessible Parking.
Disabled Toilets.
The hall is very spacious.
There are no stairs to be navigated and everything is located on the ground floor.

WHAT TO BRING WHEN YOU ATTEND

We will provide everything that a participant might need to take part during a session however if a participant has an instrument of their own that they would like to bring, we’d love to see it!

Please bring anything that you might require to make the sessions comfortable.

We require that carers/parents should accompany participants and take part during the sessions, assisting when required.

HOW MUCH
DOES IT COST?

Your first session will be free! After that, we ask members to pay these session rates*.

Either:

Reduced £4 per week or £16 a month
Normal £6 per week or £24 a month
Pay it Forward £8+ per week or £32+ a month

Parents/Carers are free!

You can pay on the day with cash or card, online or make a standing order.

There are several free places available for people with low income. When you sign up, you can let us know you’re interested in this.

*These rates are reduced from our other activities, don’t worry, this is deliberate.

Fill out the short form using the button above.
If you are unable to fill out the form, don’t worry. Contact us, and we’ll get you sorted!

Register to Take Part

Your leader, Reuben

Reuben Penny is a professional musician who has performed and composed music in a variety of different settings and places. He has over a decade of experience working with people with a range of disabilities and autism.

The Misfits Music Foundation has a commitment to providing training to up and coming leaders who want to work in the field of community music making for disabled adults. Our sessions will be accompanied by a trainee who, over the course of the year will assist then take more of the session…

Our main objective is to explore music and sound through a wide variety of activities and games. With a group that includes people with a range of different needs, we use visual elements with sound and movement so everyone can take part in their own way.

Singing/Listening to music
Exploring new unfamiliar music
Games and activities with props: parachutes, dice, toys, lights…

Inclusive Dancing
Updated traditional games: I knew an old lady who swallowed a fly, three blind mice, Old Mac Donald…
And Many More

Our sessions follow a set timetable so participants know what to expect every week

We try to keep the structure of our sessions consistent week to week, helping those with autism to adjust to the timetable.

Where there are any changes to our standard sessions, (for example special events) carers and participants are told ahead of time so that they can mentally prepare for the session that might not adhere to our normal structure.

Exciting visitors and guests

We invite guests, including professional musicians to perform and show off their instruments during sessions. So far, we’ve featured:

The entire Royal Birmingham Conservator Saxophone Department
A Sitar Player
A Harp Player

We’ve also got further plans for other exciting guests!

At Christmas we had a special visit from some miniature donkeys and their keepers.

We meet at Allens Cross Community Association on Thursdays during the West Midlands school terms at 6:30pm.

24 Tinkers Farm Rd, Birmingham B31 1RH

Some details about the space:

Accessible Parking.
Disabled Toilets.
The hall is very spacious.
There is an atrium if a participant requires a quiet space.

As a carer or parent of somone who attends Dabble and Scrunch, you are welcome to attend our steering group meetings.

We highly value the input of carers and parents. Relaying feedback from/on behalf of participants and providing ideas gathered through their lived experience ensures that we are providing the best sessions that we can.