Changing Tunes

11/06/2026

Music changes lives. 🎵

This powerful piece was written and performed by a Changing Tunes participant preparing for release.

Every note tells a story.

Every story deserves to be heard.

08/06/2026

We're bringing Second Verse to Exeter!

For years, Changing Tunes has worked in prisons across the South West, helping people use music to build confidence, purpose and positive change.

But what if people could access that support before going to prison?

That's the idea behind Second Verse.

Already running in Bristol, Second Verse gives people on community and suspended sentences the chance to take part in music-making, songwriting, recording and mentoring sessions in a professional studio environment.

We're now excited to be launching the programme in Exeter, thanks to a new partnership with Music In Devon Initiative (MIDI) and their community music studio.

The first Exeter cohort starts on 16 June, and we're delighted that it already has five of six places filled.

We're incredibly grateful to probation services for their support and can't wait to see the impact this programme has in a new city.

If you'd like to learn more about Changing Tunes and the range of work we do, visit our website: www.changingtunes.org.uk

04/06/2026

🎶 Volunteer Spotlight: Meet Dan 🎶

As part of Volunteers' Week, we're introducing some of the people who help make Changing Tunes what it is.

Dan volunteers at our monthly Bristol jam sessions, bringing his musical skills, enthusiasm and willingness to simply turn up and be part of the community.

After becoming aware of Changing Tunes through St Matthew's Church and attending some of our concerts, Dan was inspired by the impact music was having in people's lives and wanted to get involved.

Today, he joins participants at monthly jam sessions where songs are developed, ideas are explored and creativity takes centre stage.

"It's great to see what we can do with each number and the creativity that results."

When asked what has stayed with him most, Dan reflected on the moments when music comes alive unexpectedly.

"Many moments stay with me, especially when a song suddenly comes together in a compelling way, or an individual pulls out a performance that stops you in your tracks."

For Dan, volunteering is about contributing to something bigger than himself while doing something he loves.

"Being able to contribute in a small way to the purpose of Changing Tunes and its life-changing impacts for participants is really important to me."

His advice to anyone thinking about volunteering is simple:

"Do it! If there's an opportunity that fits with your interests and skills, it's a great thing to be part of."

Thank you, Dan, for sharing your time, talent and passion with our community. 🧡

01/06/2026

As Volunteers' Week begins, we'd like to say a heartfelt thank you to the people who generously give their time to support Changing Tunes.

Our volunteers play an important role in helping us deliver our work and support people through music.

Today, our volunteer team includes:

🎵 one office volunteer who supports our finance team
🎵 three music-based volunteers working across two locations
🎵 ten trustees who give their time on a voluntary basis and meet quarterly to provide governance and strategic oversight

Whether they're supporting behind the scenes, helping deliver music programmes or guiding the future direction of the organisation, their contribution helps make our work possible.

Volunteering takes many forms, but each role is united by a belief in the power of creativity, connection and people's capacity to change.

Later this week, we'll be sharing an interview with Dan, one of our music volunteers, to hear more about his experience of volunteering with Changing Tunes.

To all of our volunteers, past and present, thank you. 🎶

28/05/2026

At Changing Tunes, our participant reoffending rate over the past three years has been 5%.

National reoffending rates remain significantly higher, particularly for people released from short custodial sentences (national average of 50%).

We currently deliver long-term music programmes in:

🎵 16 prisons
🎵 3 Secure Children’s Homes
🎵 2 Alternative Education settings

We also run four post-release music hubs.

Behind these statistics are people processing traumatic experiences, building resilience and self-esteem, finding belonging within a supportive community, and imagining a different future.

Find out more about our outcomes and impact:
https://www.changingtunes.org.uk/our-outcomes

Thanks to Andy Aitchison Photographer for this image.

26/05/2026

Changing Tunes is fundraising to build a professional recording and rehearsal studio at Jo’s Studio in Bristol.

This will be a place where people who’ve experienced prison, exclusion or trauma can reconnect with themselves and others through music, building creativity, confidence and belonging among prison leavers and vulnerable young people

With this new studio, we’ll be able to:

🎵support around 150 prison leavers every year
🎵expand our work with young people at risk of exclusion and criminal justice involvement
🎵launch Second Verse, supporting people serving community sentences through creative alternatives to prison
🎵provide a shared creative space for grassroots artists and Bristol charities

We believe the people we work with are part of Bristol’s story and Bristol’s future.

And we’ve seen what’s possible when people are given safe creative spaces and long-term support:

Participant reoffending rate: 5% 📉 National average: around 50%

We’ve already secured the building through a 25-year lease and raised most of the funding needed.

There’s now just £10,000 left to raise to complete the studio and open the doors.

If you'd like to support the project, whether by donating, partnering with us, sharing this post or connecting us with others who may want to help, we’d love to hear from you.
https://www.changingtunes.org.uk/donate-to-changingtunes

Thank you to everyone supporting us and believing in the power of creativity, connection and second chances. 🙏

21/05/2026

🏃‍♀️ Thinking about the London Marathon?

There’s still time to join Team Changing Tunes.

After an unforgettable 2026, we’re continuing to welcome applications for our future teams in 2027, 2028 and 2029.

By running for Changing Tunes, you’ll be helping to support people in prisons and communities across the UK through the power of music, creativity and connection. 🎵

Whether you’re chasing a personal goal, running your first marathon, or looking to support a cause you care about, we’d love to hear from you.

📍Places are limited and applications remain open.

👉 Find out more and apply here:
https://www.changingtunes.org.uk/ct-london-marathon-team

18/05/2026

🎶 Big things are happening at Red Tangent Records 🎶

Our artists have been busy recording, releasing and creating new music, and we’re excited to share some recent updates:

🔥 Prince Alphy has released his latest single and video, Questions.

🔥 NellyNellz has completed his album, with new single and video Dreams coming soon.

🔥 Mariella’s debut single and video Save My Soul was released earlier this month.

🔥 Ryan Kershaw has completed his new album, Less Is More, and release plans are underway.

🔥 SexCells have recorded their first single and are now working on a brand new video.

🔥 WakTherapists have completed two new songs.

🔥 New artist Hyten has been into the studio for their very first recording session.

Red Tangent supports artists with lived experience of the criminal justice system to develop their talent, grow in confidence and build professional music careers.

We can’t wait to share more music with you soon. 🎵

Red Tangent Records is an independent label supporting real artists with releases, production, distribution, and live opportunities.

14/05/2026

🏃‍♂️ Applications for the 2027 TCS London Marathon are still open!

Could you take on the iconic 26.2 miles as part of Team Changing Tunes?

This year, our incredible runners raised a fantastic £36,000 to support the life-changing work happening through music in prisons and communities across the UK.

Whether you’re an experienced runner or looking for a completely new challenge, we’d love to hear from you.

As Suzy, Chair of Trustees, said: “It felt like a 26-mile street party… an experience I’ll never forget.”

If you’d like to be part of Team CT for 2027, applications are still open but places are limited!

👉 Apply here: https://www.changingtunes.org.uk/ct-london-marathon-team

We can’t wait to cheer on next year’s team!

11/05/2026

This Mental Health Awareness Week, the theme is Action. 🎵

At Changing Tunes, we see how creative expression, connection and music can support mental health and emotional wellbeing every day.

Participants have recently told us:

💬 “Music lifts me out of darkness and shows me some light in life.”

💬 “Every time I need to calm down I play the guitar. This has got me through my sentence.”

💬 “For at least one hour and forty five minutes, I am not in prison.”

Real change starts with action, and sometimes that action is simply giving someone the space to be heard. 💜

Hear more from our participants: https://www.changingtunes.org.uk/participant-feedback


Mental Health Foundation