“Changing Tunes has been a bright light at the end of a very long tunnel. It’s made me realise I am still me inside.”

Participant

About Changing Tunes

Changing Tunes is a registered charity (no. 1144789) that uses music to unlock human potential and reduce reoffending, working in prison and post-release, as well as pupil referral units and children’s secure homes in the community.

We started in 1987 when our founder took his guitar into HMP Bristol. He was inspired by his Christian values, wanting to reach out to those who had found themselves in prison. Changing Tunes now works in 18 locations across the England and Wales, from Stoke on Trent, through the Midlands and into the Southwest right down to the Isle of Wight, as well as having its own off shoot record label, Red Tangent Records. We offer a model of music and mentoring, which we continue to provide post-release. This work is delivered throughout the year by our musicians-in-residence.

The effectiveness of our approach is evidenced in our reoffending rates, which significantly below the national average.

Values Statement

The values of Changing Tunes underpin the whole purpose of the service it delivers and

the method of delivering it:

·         Valuing people, demonstrated both in the long-term commitment to the people

we work with and in the collaborative approach taken by musicians;

·         Hope and motivation through the non-judgmental, warm and positive attitude of the musicians to conceive of a future where challenges can be overcome and spiritual, social and emotional well-being experienced

·         Inclusion and access for all without discrimination regardless of who they are, what their stage of life is or what they believe

·         Trust developed through respectful relationships characterised by honesty and

respect;

·         Enjoyment and fulfilment through positive endeavour and achievement both in

community and individually.

·         We are open to anyone regardless of what they believe. If we are asked about our beliefs, we will share them, but we do not expect participants to do the same.

Five year Strategy 2026-2031

Our Mission

Changing Tunes exists to transform the lives of people who have involvement in the criminal justice system, experienced trauma and disadvantage. We believe that music is a uniquely powerful catalyst for personal and social change—offering confidence, connection, identity and hope to people whose voices are often unheard.

Our Vision

A society where no one is defined by their past – Where music empowers people to rebuild their lives, discover their potential and create new futures.

Strategic Framework

·         Amplify young voices

·         Strengthen the sustainability of the musician in residence model

·         Expand post-release community music pathways

Our approach

Across all areas of our work, Changing Tunes remains committed to:

·        Person centred, relational support grounded in trust and compassion

·         Trauma informed practice embedded within all programmatic design and delivery

·         Consistent, high-quality musical engagement as the vehicle for transformation

·        Strong partnerships with prisons, youth offending institutions, education

providers, probation services and community organisations

·         Robust evidence and learning, demonstrating the long-term value of creative rehabilitation

·        Inclusivity integrating recommendations from our Anti-racism steering Group

This approach ensures that our programmes remain impactful, ethical, and responsive

to the needs and strengths of the people we support.

Our commitment

We will continue to work with creativity, integrity and compassion—standing alongside people as they rebuild their lives and futures. This strategy represents a confident, ambitious vision for the next five years and a renewed commitment to our mission: to change lives through music, and to ensure that everyone has the chance to be heard, to belong, and to thrive.

GRANTS OFFICER

Reports to: Head of Fundraising and Communications

Location: Bristol/Hybrid (as agreed)

Hours: 14 hours per week (0.4 FTE / 2 days per week) Salary: £16,918(equivalent to £35,213 FTE)

JOB PURPOSE

To secure income from charitable trusts, foundations and grant making bodies through prospect research, proposal writing, relationship management and reporting.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Prospect Research and Pipeline Development

•  Research and identify trust, foundation and statutory funding opportunities.

•  Maintain a healthy funding pipeline.

•  Assess opportunities against organisational priorities.

Applications and Bid Writing

•  Prepare compelling funding applications and proposals.

•  Coordinate information gathering across the organisation.

•  Ensure applications are submitted accurately and on time.

Funder Stewardship

•  Build and maintain positive relationships with funders.

•  Support stewardship and repeat funding opportunities.

Monitoring and Reporting

•  Coordinate grant reporting requirements.

•  Gather outcomes, impact information and financial data.

•  Produce high-quality grant reports.

CRM and Data Management

•  Maintain accurate fundraising records.

•  Produce pipeline and performance reports.

Digital and AI-Assisted Prospect Development

•  Use AI-enabled tools to support prospect research, application planning and grant

reporting.

•  Support efficient fundraising processes and workflows.

•  Review AI-generated content to ensure accuracy and quality.

Team Working

•  Work closely with fundraising, communications colleagues.

•  Contribute to planning and continuous improvement.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential Experience

•  Experience of writing successful grant applications.

•  Experience of funding research.

•  Experience of managing multiple deadlines.

Essential Knowledge

•  Trust and foundation fundraising.

•  Grant reporting requirements.

•  Charity fundraising practice.

Essential Skills

•  Excellent written communication skills.

•  Strong attention to detail.

•  Excellent organisational skills.

•  CRM and Microsoft 365 proficiency.

•  Confidence using AI-enabled tools.

Personal Qualities

•  Self-motivated and proactive.

•  Analytical and organised.

•  Collaborative and open to innovation.

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