Changing Tunes

Who we are

Changing Tunes is a charity that uses music and mentoring to help people lead meaningful lives, free from crime.  We work with men, women and young people of all abilities and backgrounds. Our goal is to restore their confidence and enable them to break the cycle.

Currently we work in 14 prisons and 2 community hubs across the UK. We help over 500 prisoners and over 50 ex-prisoners each year.  Music has the power to unlock people's potential to change. It improves wellbeing and enables personal growth, which both aid rehabilitation

Our Musicians-in-Residence are multi-instrumentalists and compassionate role models. They deliver group music sessions in prison and monthly sessions in the community.

In each session, 5 to 10 people learn and create different styles of music together. We create a safe place for people to express themselves and learn to collaborate with others. Over time, the group bonds and works toward goals such as recordings and performances.

We support people for as long as they need us in prison and upon release.  We achieve five main outcomes, proven to be essential to reducing reoffending. Our work increases; hope, self-esteem, resilience, belonging, and positive identity.

Ex-prisoners we have worked with over the past 10 years have a reoffending rate of less than 15%.  In 2016, participants in our sessions won a record 72 Koestler Awards.