Guest blog: Finding Rhythms runs Big Give campaign to support people at risk of offending
In our latest guest blog from music charity, Finding Rhythms, we learn more about the Making Waves project which is funded by KCCF, and the charity's involvement in the Big Give Arts for Impact online campaign which aims to support 48 young people away from crime and towards a brighter future.
According to the Bromley Briefings Fact file 2025, the justice system is in crisis and reoffending rates in England have remained high for decades. Of all people leaving prison currently, over 42% reoffend within a year, which costs £18bn annually. There is evidence that those who get a job after prison are less likely to reoffend. Yet 72% are not in work after a year due to the lack of training, employment opportunities and targeted support upon release.
Alongside this, rising school exclusion rates, excessive cuts to youth services and a court system in crisis leave many young people with a lack of purposeful activity and at risk of entering the criminal justice system. Southwark in particular, where Finding Rhythms are based, is among the top 10 most dangerous boroughs in London, with a crime rate 11% higher than the average.
Music has a unique power to focus people into something positive where other types of activities fail to. Our programmes can transform lives through the therapeutic benefits of creative expression, while also developing the social capital and transferable skills necessary for employment.
Our community programme Making Waves, which builds on our 12 years of delivering music interventions in and around the criminal justice system, provides a safe space with holistic support to move young people closer to employment and a more positive future. Young participants on Making Waves themselves say it has steered them away from crime, offering positive alternatives to past negative behaviours.
Making Waves, delivered from our studio in Peckham since 2024, South London, provides engaging one-to-one studio sessions with wraparound employability support in a safe environment to young people leaving prison and those at risk of turning to crime. Participants make their own original music with a professional producer with the option to share and perform their tracks. Crucially, targeted mentoring and a King’s Trust qualification give participants the opportunity to set professional development goals to work towards with structured support.
Participants who have been through the programme describe Making Waves as life-changing: fostering self-belief, motivation, and community. Many express a desire to mentor others and remain engaged beyond the programme. In 2025, we are developing our alumni programme offering opportunities to develop performance skills at regular Making Waves live shows and industry insights from music masterclasses.
An independent evaluation by academics at Edge Hill University found that participants explicitly linked the programme to their decision to make more positive decisions about their life.
Our evaluation data gave the following results:
- 100% of participants reported improvements in key aspects of their wellbeing, including increased confidence, emotional resilience, and self-esteem
- 92% of participants reported developing essential life skills and musical abilities, such as communication, time management, and technical music skills
- 78% of participants reported improving their social capital, feeling more connected and forming positive relationships
Finding Rhythms is currently fundraising to continue this vital work and participating in the Big Give Arts For Impact campaign for a week from 18th to 25th March. Funds raised will help sustain the programme for another year, supporting 48 young people to move away from crime. During this period, all donations made through the Big Give portal will be match-funded, meaning every contribution will have double the impact.
For more information or to donate, visit their campaign page.