An Accessible Club Exploring Sound and Music
“Really entertaining and it’s good to have a place where people with Autism can go and take part in live music”
What is
The Explorers Club?
An accessible club exploring sound and music through fun and participatory activities.
The Music Seekers Explorers Club is monthly sessions for people aged 16 or with learning disabilities and/or autism, and their parents or carers. In this accessible and welcoming space, we will come together and explore different types of music making using a range of senses and elements, weaving together sound, visuals, and movement – and much more!
There are a variety of fun activities and games, each providing different opportunities to actively participate.
We have trained leaders and volunteers that facilitate the sessions.
You’ll hear music you know and music you don’t. We’ll also share some of our favourite hits as a group.
We try to keep Explorers Club session structures similar. Providing familiar routine and predictability.
Every participant session fee includes the price of a carer or parent.
Explorers Club venues are accessible with facilities that make coming to our events easier for all.
Some more details
We design these sessions to be as inclusive as possible, ensuring every participant can take part in a way that is comfortable to them. We use basic Makaton signs and Widgits to enable non-verbal communication, and ensure each session has a range of activities with different senses and elements. If there is something that would help you take part, let us know when you sign up and we’ll try and make it happen. Additionally, feel free to bring along anything that will help you to feel comfortable.
These sessions are ideal for adults with additional needs who require care from parents, carers, or unpaid carers. This includes, but is not limited to, people with Autism, Down’s Syndrome, or Angelman Syndrome. All participants will be expected to attend with at least one accompanying adult, and they are encouraged to join in too!
Some of the activities in each session will include:
Inclusive singing & signing
Movement and dancing
Listening to & sharing music, both old & new
Updated nursery rhymes
Trying out new instruments
A range of games and activities with props
And much more!
Facilities
Our regular Explorers Club sessions will take place in Allen’s Cross Community Association (24 Tinkers Farm Road, Northfield, Birmingham B31 1RH). There is plenty of on-site parking, with wheelchair access to the large main hall where we will run the sessions, and a large accessible toilet. Additionally, there is an atrium if you require a quiet space during sessions.
Timings
Our regular Explorers Club sessions will happen roughly once a month. All the dates for these can be found in our calendar below, as well as on the booking form. Each session will run from 11:00am-12:00pm (midday). To ensure each session runs smoothly, please arrive promptly to sessions for an 11:00am start.
Special Sessions
We will be inviting musical guests along for some special one-off sessions where you’ll be able to explore music making alongside a professional musician. Previous guests include: Birmingham Conservatoire Saxophone department; Northfield Acapella Choir; Mervyn McGowan on the Lever Harp. Sign up to our newsletter below to make sure you don’t miss any info about these sessions.
Our Leaders
Music Seekers Explorers Club is run by our friendly music leaders Jim, Isaac, and Reuben. All three of them have had many years of experience making music in a range of settings, with lots of different people. They can’t wait explore music with everyone at the Explorers Club!
A Transport Solution
Thanks to funding from Northfield NNS, we are able to offer some accessible transport to Explorers Club sessions. We know that transport to and from sessions such as these can often be very complex and expensive, so we are thrilled to be able to offer this! Additionally, we are hoping to run some musical activities on the minibus to make the travel time more interesting.
We are still finalising the details for this, so if this is something you would be interested in, or would like more details about, please let us know on the signup form below.
The priority for this accessible transport is people living in the Northfield constituency attending with unpaid carers. However, if this isn't you, still let us know if the minibus would be something you are interested in.
Signup to take part
If you would like to join us for these Explorers Club sessions, it is super helpful if you can let us know in advance by clicking the button below. This ensures we can make these sessions as fun and welcoming for you as possible.
Upcoming
Explorers Club
Sessions
More information is on the way, please check back here soon or subscribe to our mailing list to be notified of our new sessions.