Changing Tunes

We help prisoners and ex-prisoners to lead meaningful crime-free lives. We do this by running music-based rehabilitation programmes that are long-term, trauma-informed and tailored. We run our programmes in secure children’s homes, young offender institutions, prisons and post-release. 

Our work began in 1987 at HMP Bristol. We now run ongoing programmes at 19 prisons in the South and Southwest of England, the Midlands and South Wales (including four young offender institutions). We run music learning programmes at Vinney Green Secure Children’s Home (Bristol) and Hillside Secure Children's Home (South Wales). We are expanding our work with young people, through a new partnership with St Matthias Academy's two Pupil Referral Units in Bristol. This will enable us to support early intervention work that helps to improve the life-chances of vulnerable children. 

We continue to support our participants in the community through our post-release programmes, which we run in Bristol, Winchester, Birmingham and Exeter, expanding to South Wales this year. 

Our music programmes enact a Theory of Change, helping participants to achieve outcomes that support desistance from crime. We support participants to achieve the following outcomes: healthy relationships, community spirit, self-esteem, confidence, positive identity, improved mental health and wellbeing, and progression routes onto education/volunteering/ work. 

Our re-offending rate for the past three years is 3.3%, which compares favorably to the re-offending rate for England and Wales, currently at 48%.  

Our partners testify to our impact, as illustrated by this statement from the Head of Learning and Skills at HMP Albany and Parkhurst:

“Changing Tunes directly support our rehabilitation aims at HMP Albany and Parkhurst. Changing Tunes use the power of music to help people achieve personal and social outcomes that increase the likelihood of desistance from crime. They help participants to develop improved emotional/mental health, confidence, self-belief, personal agency, optimism about the future, resilience, interpersonal and teamwork skills and the ability to identify and build healthy relationships."

Participant feedback also reflects the long-term impact of our work, as captured by this statement from a participant who we have worked with on the inside and post-release: 

“I've been part of Changing Tunes for ten years now (as a participant for four and a volunteer since). Through Changing Tunes I’ve met great people; like- minded and willing. Changing Tunes didn't judge me. They helped me rebuild my lost skills. Without them, I wouldn't have my thriving music career, as well as being a civil servant and director of my own company. Changing Tunes care about the individual's progress and are an essential part of that journey.” 

We have a positive ripple-effect, as reflected by this feedback from a family member of a participant: "My daughter is a resident at HMP Eastwood Park. Without your dedication to using music to make a difference, I don't know how she would be coping. Your work gives her something positive to focus on. It reassures me that her musical skills are being nurtured and gives me joy to hear her positive feedback about weekly sessions and how they uplift her moods. From the depths of my heart and on behalf of my daughter, THANK YOU."

By donating your Nectar points to Changing Tunes, you will make a meaningful difference, supporting our work to reduce re-offending through our tried-and-tested music rehabilitation work.