We support prisoners and ex-prisoners to experience the life-enhancing benefits of music-making. By working with our Musicians-in-Residence, beneficiaries grow their creativity and build vital human and social capital in the process.

Here are some of the outcomes that our beneficiaries gain from their work with us…

Musical skills and creativity - We help beneficiaries to develop their creative potential. Music becomes a positive focus in their lives

Hope - We help beneficiaries to find a creative purpose and to feel improved morale

Determination and personal agency - We help beneficiaries to feel motivated. They set goals and see things through

Self-esteem and confidence - We help beneficiaries to recognise their own potential and to find the confidence to apply themselves

Positive identity - Beneficiaries become team players and support each other. Their achievements are celebrated by others

Social inclusion -  Beneficiaries gain a supportive community. They build healthy relationships

Wellbeing and resilience -  We help beneficiaries to express and regulate their emotions through music. Music becomes a healthy coping mechanism

The reoffending rate of our beneficiaries is 7% over the past 3 years, compared to national rate at 48%

Case study

‘H’ first engaged in our work in 2009, as a beneficiary in prison. On release, H progressed onto our post-release programme, participating until 2015. H then went on to volunteer for Changing Tunes. In 2018, we trained H to become a Musician-in-Residence. H now facilitates our post-release work and is an asset to our team. H reflects on his journey with Changing Tunes here…

“I first came across Changing Tunes in 2009. I immediately saw how different this was from anything else I'd seen in the system. It was a great example not only of amazing musicianship and music direction, but also of compassionate interaction, motivation, understanding and respect. Changing Tunes promote community, humanity, motivation, achievement, self-worth, communication, patience, assertiveness, self-respect and respect for others. They passed these skills onto me and I hope I've come to espouse them to others. Thanks to Changing Tunes I've found a direction and worth beyond anything I thought possible”

Endorsements

Respected voices from the arts and criminal justice sector also vouch for our impact. Here’s what other people say about our work and the difference we make…

“Specialist organisations like Changing Tunes make up a rich history of arts in criminal justice. Their enormous value must be recognised”

National Criminal Justice Sector Arts Alliance, Good Practice Guide 2019

“Changing Tunes strongly support desistance from crime by growing individual potential through music”

Professor Shadd Maruna, co-creator of desistance theory

“Changing Tunes have a solid track-record of running high-quality music rehabilitation work at HMP Eastwood Park. They take a trauma-informed approach, which is particularly important, as a high proportion of women here have mental health problems, which is often the product of abuse and trauma.

I’ve seen first-hand the positive difference that Changing Tunes make. They support women with complex needs to make changes on a deep, personal level. I’ve seen women who were under constant observation due to being at risk of suicide, gradually growing self-belief and confidence, forming healthy relationships with others and seeing a place for themselves in the world, due in significant part to Changing Tunes’ long-term work with them”

Governor at HMP Eastwood Park

“Changing Tunes have made such a difference to the men on the programme. Their programme has encouraged the development of work-ready skills such as communication, teamwork, problem solving, initiative, planning, organising, self-management, learning and technology, along with personal attributes such as commitment, enthusiasm and self-esteem. These transferable skills support HMPPS'/WG’s Employability strategy. Changing Tunes provide meaning and purpose to the men’s lives here at HMP/YOI Winchester and thus contribute to reducing reoffending. They provide a crucial ‘through the gate’ link to the community”

Managing Chaplain at HMP Winchester