Do you and your 3-5 year old want to attend live music events but find these spaces challenging? Is your child neurodivergent (autism, ADHD, diagnosed or undiagnosed) and would prefer an understanding, adapted environment? If this sounds like your child, then this is for you.
Musician Martin Harwood, creative practitioner Ella-May Thornely, and evaluation assistant Ruby Waldron create a sensory-aware space for young children and their grown-ups to enjoy music in their own way.
These free sessions are created with neurodiversity in mind and include:
Live music: Martin Harwood plays fiddle, guitar and sings. Ella-May sings and plays percussion instruments.
We provide a range of optional engagement opportunities for you and your child, including listening, watching, moving, playing percussion instruments, swishing scarves and popping bubbles.
Child-led musical freeplay both inside and outside (weather permitting).
An inclusive, supportive, flexible and child-centred environment.
We understand that engagement looks different for everyone. You and your child are welcome to move around, vocalise, stim, take breaks and engage in whatever way feels comfortable. There is no pressure to sit still or participate in a particular way.
Feel free to bring ear defenders, fidget toys or blankets.
Breastfeeding is welcome.
A smaller, second space is available for children or adults who might need a moment away.
Sessions follow a loose structure with some routines to develop confidence through repetition, but the musicians also respond and adapt to the people in the room.
Music is unamplified and there aren’t extreme changes in lighting, sound or movement during sessions.
Venue information:
Sessions take place at Adventures at Highfield Adventure Playground, Crowther Place, Sheffield. S7 1BJ.
Adventures is buggy and wheelchair accessible. If you would like more information about accessibility, please contact hello@concerteenies.org.uk.
Sessions take place inside the building. Attendees have access to the playground during the freeplay section.
On-street parking around the venue is free but very limited. We advise walking or using public transport if possible, or allowing plenty of time to find a parking space. Parking restrictions on Abbeydale Road end at 9:30.
Ella-May or Ruby will welcome you at the door and ask your name to sign you in.
Timings information:
The six-week series runs every Monday between 14th September & 19th October 2026.
There are two sessions every week. One at 9:45-10:45am and the other at 11:15-12:15pm.
Doors open 15-minutes before each session.
We encourage you to attend the whole session but do not worry if you arrive late or need to leave early.
Booking information:
Tickets are free. Please book your ticket via Eventbrite. You will be emailed your booking confirmation.
Please book a place for every attendee and for every session you want to come to.
Sessions are limited to 12 children and their grown-ups per session. If you have booked tickets but can no longer attend, please cancel your tickets via your eventbrite account.
Free entry has been made possible thanks to funding from the Mayfield Valley Arts Trust, Bluecoat and Mountpleasant Educational Foundation, Freshgate Trust Foundation, Harry Bottom Trust, The Cutlers Company Charitable Trust and the Sarah Nulty Power of Music Foundation.
Development and Evaluation
‘Tuning In’ is Concerteenies’ first project tailored specifically for children who experience the world a little differently and who we think will appreciate these sessions being run in a more flexible way. We want to make this series as positive as possible for everyone involved, and for it to shape our future work. After booking, we will email you a short questionnaire asking you to provide some information about you and your child, so that the team can get to know you and any ways we can support you before the first session. Please complete this even if you have attended Tuning In previously.
We also welcome feedback from grown-ups and children throughout the series - you can do this in person or via hello@concerteenies.org.uk.
Photography by Andy Brown.