At Decoda we enable profoundly disabled people to lead richer lives with more choices.

Space, freedom and interactivity are combined with sound and music technology to allow individuals to express themselves and assert their independence. 

Our unique equipment is only half of the story. Interaction is the key to every journey of personal development.Our services help carers and clients build stronger relationships and start a series of small changes that can become a significant journey. Our philosophy is based on starting where someone is right now and encouraging them to take small steps. We bring no set ideas about how a person should behave and simply explore all the possible ways they could assert themselves. Progress is often extremely slow so you need the patience to notice tiny change. We work with carers and clients to build on each new action and give individuals choices in how they relate to the world around them.

The Music Gym aims to engage people who have high individual needs or behaviour that's challenging, through providing a journey of music, movement and images. As its name suggests - it's a physical activity: not a large sensory room but rather a large, interactive space. Without the involvement of the participants nothing happens – whether it’s triggering music on the bouncy castle, making music that can be felt as well as heard, or dancing with one’s own shadow on a large screen. Session facilitators help members and carers get the most out of every experience. The emphasis however is on the developing relationship between members and carers.

The independent evaluation of the pilot project found that virtually all those who attended the Music Gym on a regular basis benefited from the experience. A crucial factor was the involvement of the family/support staff which we encourage – it’s a place for everyone to have fun. 

Sessions take place at Horntye Park Sports Complex in Hastings and you can come at any time between 10 and 3.30 and stay for as long as you like. It’s not a drop-in activity: places need to be booked in advance and participants need someone with them.

"I've been Y's key-worker for 16 years and never found something she enjoys as much as this."  

"L did 3 little jumps when she walked in the hall - she was so excited to be back again."  Members' support workers.

"It's great to see an organisation which reaches out to people who face a struggle every day of their lives and offers them help and a way to enjoy and express themselves." Lucas Neill, former West Ham captain.

If you'd like to know more about the Music Gym you can phone us on 0845 2938354 or 01424 439192

If you'd like us to phone you to talk about someone joining the Music Gym click here.

To read up-to-date news about the Music Gym click here.

To see the BBC South East Today item about the Music Gym click here.

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This inflatable maze uses the Music Gym’s most remarkable technologies to form a fully interactive playground for profoundly disabled people.

Movement is linked to sound and visuals to motivate people to make choices: banging on an air-filled wall to listen to birdsong, to change the colour of projections, or to trigger film. 

The Decodamaze is accessible by wheelchairs and a highly effective tool for engaging people with autistic spectrum disorders as well as other special needs. 

It will be suitable in many settings including centres for people with profound disabilities or autistic spectrum disorders; special needs schools; sports halls. If you’d like to stay in touch with developments please email maze@decoda.org

In recognition of the Maze's benefits Decoda won the regional NHS Health and Social Care Awards in the category of Technological Innovation.

Unlocking Music software

The software has been designed and adapted from its use not only in the Music Gym but also in a special needs school for children with autistic spectrum disorders and communication difficulties. Different areas of a camera-view can be used as triggers for sound or images: this has proved very successful in engaging children and adults who exclude themselves from group activities. 

A tutorial manual has been developed using experiences gained with both children and adults and includes numerous ways of using the software.

For more information please email enquiries@decoda.org

Dancing Squares

These small and affordable technologies give people with limited abilities a simple way of making an enjoyable impact on their surroundings.

Based on Decoda’s central principles each dancing square links actions to pleasurable sounds and music. A cacophony of noises can be controlled by moving, or dancing, on brightly coloured mats. Musical instruments sit alongside natural sounds, human voices and dramatic beats.    

The dancing squares are easily portable and can be used alone or integrated into a larger interactive environment.

For more information please email us at enquiries@decoda.org

Creating a Music Gym near you

At Decoda we are passionate about extending our services to everyone who needs them. We work with organisations to build interactive environments that perfectly suit clients and staff.   

Our input ranges from assessments and recommendations for bespoke facilities to installing a ready-made Music Gym. This includes help with everything from financial management to maintaining an inspirational level of care.   

Please contact Tom Smurthwaite at tom@decoda.org for a free consultation.

We very much hope every disabled person will eventually have something like the Music Gym near them.

Beyond the Music Gym

Equipment we use at the Music Gym transfers very well to an exhibition or conference where it provides something different for the delegates, weary from walking round stands or from listening to speakers. In the past few months we’ve been at the ARC conference in Coventry, at the Arts Zone for the Learning Disability Today exhibition in London. and we've run an  “inspirational igloo” at Voice 09, the social enterprise conference at the ICC, Birmingham. If you think we could help to make your event more memorable then contact sue@decoda.org

If you’re interested in knowing more about the Music Gym or our other services please contact us by phoning 0845 2938354 or 014242 439192 or emailing  enquiries@decoda.org