You do not need a sensory bus to start making events kinder. Small changes can make a huge difference.
We have worked at council festivals in Rotherham, school fairs in Sheffield, hospice events and birthday parties in quiet streets, and we see the same thing every time. When organisers think about sensory needs in advance, families stay longer and everyone has a better day.
Start by thinking about arrival. Busy entrances can be overwhelming. Clear signage and friendly volunteers who understand SEND families help people feel safe before they even step inside.
Think about sound. Music does not need to be constant. Quiet periods or calmer zones give people a chance to regulate.
Think about expectations. Some children cannot queue for long periods. Some people need to leave and come back. When organisers make this normal, parents stop apologising.
Think about having a calm space. It might be a room, a gazebo, or something bigger like Goodysphere arriving on site. Somewhere soft, quiet and predictable where people can breathe.
And most of all, think about kindness. Train staff and volunteers to recognise overload, not judge behaviour, and offer help quietly.
We built Goodysphere because families told us they felt invisible at events. Now we watch those same families laugh together, siblings play side by side, teenagers stay instead of leaving early, and organisers tell us footfall and dwell time go up because people feel welcome.
Inclusion is not complicated. It starts with noticing.
If you are planning an event, school day or birthday party anywhere in Yorkshire and beyond and you want help creating a space where everyone can stay and celebrate together, we would love to talk.
Have a Goody Day đ
Tabitha Goodison
Goodysphere â Accessible Fun for Everyone
enquiries@goodysphere.com
