Finding Rhythms x Change Grow Live: Building Confidence, Connection and Hope Through Music

Since March 2025, Finding Rhythms has delivered three powerful music projects in partnership with health and social care charity Change Grow Live (CGL), working with men in HMP Bristol and HMP Portland. Led by our musicians Aron and Thabo, these projects have brought creativity, structure and a renewed sense of purpose to participants navigating complex challenges.

Across HMP Bristol (March 2025 and November 2025) and HMP Portland (February 2026), a total of 23 participants took part in intensive music-making programmes, resulting in the creation of original material and collaborative albums, including Listen To Our Stories and The Memo. The HMP Portland album is set for release soon.

Creating Safe Spaces for Growth

From the outset, these projects fostered environments where participants could feel safe, respected and valued. As Jo, Team Lead at Change Grow Live (HMP Bristol), reflected:

“The men became a close-knit group who treated one another with utmost respect.”

This sense of community proved transformative. Many participants entered the programme facing challenges related to mental health, substance use and anxiety. A large proportion were IOM (Integrated Offender Management) prisoners, often with long or complex histories within the criminal justice system.

Yet, as the sessions progressed, a clear shift emerged. Jenny Sherwood, ReNew Team Lead at Change Grow Live, described the impact:

“I have been absolutely blown away this week. I have never seen such a transformation… the absolute ability to put everything into it, to take risks, to support each other and to just manage, which is quite tricky sometimes.”

Measurable Impact

The outcomes of these projects speak for themselves:

• 100% of participants said the course helped them feel more positive about the future
• 100% said they gained skills they believe will be useful going forward
• 100% said they built positive connections with others, including peers, musicians and staff

Participants reported improved confidence, better relationships on the wings, and more positive interactions with prison staff. Many also expressed a desire to continue making music after release.

Finding Focus and Emotional Release

For many, the sessions became a vital emotional outlet and a break from the pressures of prison life:

“I’ve got up every day and been like, yes music today, come on. It’s given me a buzz… It’s not made me think about my sentence, what’s going on outside… It helped me get through that time in a weird sort of way.”

Even when difficult emotions weren’t directly expressed in lyrics, the creative space offered relief and stability.

Building Confidence and Identity

Participants consistently spoke about increased confidence and a shift in how they saw themselves:

“Confidence has gone up. I feel like my character’s changed a little bit. I feel like I’m using this as a way to prepare myself in the future.”

Jo from CGL highlighted this as a key outcome:

“This project has shown our participants that their offences do not define who they are as people and that they have so much more to offer as human beings.”

The Power of Finishing Something

Completing the project and producing finished music was a particularly meaningful milestone:

“There’s nothing like finishing something. One thing that course has taught me is that to start something you need to finish it to be able to get the benefits out of it.”

This sense of achievement is often rare in custodial settings and plays a crucial role in building self-belief.

Strengthening Relationships Beyond Prison

The impact extended beyond the prison walls, with participants noting changes in how they connected with family:

“Family see a positive… they can tell when they talk to you… she can see I’m in such a good place mentally.”

For some, this represented a rebuilding of trust and a renewed sense of responsibility.

Looking Ahead

Perhaps most importantly, participants left the programme with a different outlook on their future:

“It has changed the outlook of my whole entire prison sentence… I’ll be looking to use that confidence that I’ve gained to be able to help myself and do things I wouldn’t have normally done when I get out.”

Through music, collaboration and consistent support, these projects have demonstrated the power of creativity to unlock potential, build resilience and inspire hope. The Finding Rhythms team even received a thoughtful gesture of thanks from one of the participants who sent us soap sculptures he’d made of musical instruments!

As Finding Rhythms continues its partnership with Change Grow Live, the impact of these programmes will continue to grow – one voice, one story and one track at a time.