October Half Term: Sensory Session

Nottingham Contemporary is running a series of Sensory Sessions for families with children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) throughout the October half term. They're designed for neurodivergent children and their families, with or without a diagnosis, and they run on Wednesday afternoons from 21 to 28 October, 1pm to 3pm.

The sessions take place in The Space, the gallery's large ground-floor area, which includes a smaller designated sensory area. The whole point is to dial things down: you'll find reduced visitor numbers, lower sound levels, subdued lighting, and extra rest spaces. There are P&L facilitators on hand to spend time with you, and because the space is open, you can come and go as you need rather than sticking to a rigid schedule. The sessions are inspired by the gallery's new exhibitions, Julia Isídrez: Mud is everything and Sarah Cunningham: Midnight Sun, so there's a connection to what's on the walls.

On the practical side, they've thought through the things that can make a gallery visit tricky. There are noise-reducing headphones for both adults and children, a Changing Places facility, and staff trained in First Aid at Work and Paediatric First Aid. It's free to attend, though donations are welcome. Booking a space is recommended as places are limited, so it's worth getting yours sorted before you head in.