Our Spaces
The Little Musical Caravan
A fun, safe space for kids aged 3-13 to explore music and discover more about themselves. As trained and experienced music therapists we can use music to support growth in a range of areas, including:
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Exploration of identity
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Communication and language development
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Navigate social connection
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Sensory and emotional regulation
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Emotional expression
We are a neuro-affirming, trauma-informed and disability positive practice. Our child-led and strengths-based approach aims to help kids reach their potential. We work within children’s social contexts so that they are better understood and supported by their communities.
The Little Musical Caravan’s journey began in 2020 with the renovation of a retro 1960 caravan. The caravan itself is sound and heat insulated, with attention given to the acoustic properties inside. The colours inside and out have been chosen from an Autism-friendly palette, the LED lighting can be adjusted for colour and brightness and the interior design is simple to minimise sensory input. The caravan carries a wide range of instruments and toys for children to explore, as well as sensory friendly items to stimulate and calm.
The Little Musical Caravan travels to host primary schools in Porirua and beyond. Please get in touch if you would like to find out about whether we can visit your school!
(Please note: We need a minimum of 3 children to visit with the caravan.)
Host Schools
Where we are unable to visit a school with the caravan, it may still be possible for us to work with your child on school site if your school has a quiet space we can use without interruptions. Availability of school instruments for your child to use is also helpful, but we can also bring a limited number with us.
We are based in Porirua but have travelled as far afield as Newlands and Paraparaumu. Travel costs for school visits will apply.
Mana Therapy Hub
In 2023, we opened Mana Therapy Hub, situated at 116 Mana Esplanade, Mana, as a base for the Little Musical Caravan. In the Hub, we have a large music therapy room with a range of instruments, toys and sensory tools. This space allows us to work with tamariki that we can’t reach in the caravan, as well as pre-schoolers, teens and young adults.
Mana Therapy Hub is also host to a growing number of other therapy services for children, adolescents and adults including play therapy, counselling, psychology and psychiatry.
Awesome Bounce: Thursday evenings
The Little Musical Caravan partners with Āhuru Mōwai Trust to offer subsidised music therapy sessions at the Trust’s high sensory sessions on Thursday evenings at Awesome Bounce in Elsdon, Porirua.
Āhuru Mōwai Trust is a charitable organisation that works to provide safe spaces for families who have ‘extra and special needs’.
We are currently offering 10 week blocks of music therapy ‘taster sessions’ for tamariki that have not tried music therapy before are unable to access individual music therapy elsewhere.
Interested in partnering?
We are passionate about supporting children and young people within their social settings. If you are interested in partnering with the Little Musical Caravan to offer music therapy in another community setting, please get in touch!