Improving outcomes for children in the criminal justice system 

Children and young people in the criminal justice system are just that - children and young people. They have experienced trauma and profound disadvantages. We are passionate about bringing the benefits of music-making into the lives of young people who find themselves in the youth justice system.

Residency at Vinney Green Secure Children's Home

Since 2017, we’ve been developing trauma-informed, relational music projects at Vinney Green Secure Children’s Home. Although disrupted by the Covid outbreak, we relaunched this work in September 2020.

There is a real appetite for music among these young people and we are excited to be developing our work with them. The level of engagement we’ve seen among participants has been impressive. They’ve flourished creatively. They’ve developed vital human and social capital.

“Changing Tunes complement our work to address challenging behaviour, and our aims in Education and Care. We are so impressed by their work. Their Musician-in-Residence is an asset, getting it just right. Some of the sessions have been double the intended length because the young people are so engaged. These young people often struggle to concentrate in a 45-minute class, so to keep going twice as long is a remarkable outcome. We look forward to continuing this collaboration.”

Deputy Head at Vinney Green Secure Children’s Home

Young people are at the centre of our music programmes, which are designed in response to their ideas and interests. Everyone is supported to find their own ‘voice’ and to grow as a musician and communicator.

By providing individualised, long-term support, we nurture the unique potential of every participant, helping them to flourish as artists and human beings. Our Musicians-in-Residence provide inspiring role-models to young people they work with, encouraging pro-social behaviour and a love of music. 

Young people get to work one-to-one with our musicians, on a weekly basis. One-to-ones enable participants to set their own goals and to recognise their progress as they go along. Individual sessions also create a safe space for participants to explore their thoughts and feelings through music. 

Young people also engage in the challenges and joys of group music-making. Collaboration and relational skills are a big part of the Changing Tunes experience. Music-making requires you to listen, and be part of a whole sound. This helps participants to grow a sense of belonging and to build healthy relationships.

Young people work towards performances for invited audiences, including friends, family and support staff. These performances are a celebration. They amplify the voice of each young musician. They validate participants' achievements. They help to build bridges of communication and understanding.

We also work with young people to record their musical creations. These artistic outcomes are important milestones for participants and other people in their lives - evidence that they are creative beings with the potential to make a positive contribution to the world.

Growing our work in secure children's homes

Thanks to the Rayne Foundation, we'll be researching and developing our music work at three secure children's homes, collaborating with our founding partner, Vinney Green, alongside Hillside Secure Children’s Home and Swanwick Lodge.

We look forward to starting this work once Covid19 restrictions allow. This will lead to wider roll-out at more secure children’s homes in the UK.

Covid19 has cemented our commitment to user-led projects. This has always been a hallmark of Changing Tunes. As we prepare to develop our work in secure children’s homes, we will take time to consult with young people about how the pandemic has affected them and to understand how we can adapt our music programmes to address the issues and ideas they tell us about.