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We are delighted to be awarded funding from the Postcode Community Trust and The D’Oyly Carte Foundation for Music Treehouse, our SEND creative music making project which goes from strength to strength. Many thanks to all our funders.

Her social interaction has improved dramatically, she wants to always communicate her love of music. Parent

It is fantastic … the level of participation at the end of term performances is amazing! Parent

She has been coming for 5 years and just loves coming here, she loves the structure of the sessions and the performances and enjoys that it is sociable. Parent

To celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee we created a show for our I Can Sing! music theatre programme reflecting important events that have helped define our history each decade since 1952. Our journey included winning the World Cup in 1966 and celebrating the 2012 Olympics. On the way we entered the realm of protest with the 1970 Women’s Equal Pay Act and the 1980s Miners Strikes and explored the realisation of climate change in the 2000s and the importance of the NHS, with their 50^th anniversary in 1998. The Finale Hope, was a new commission composed by Saturday Programme coach Vahan Salorian, which offered all the ICS! students who contributed to the lyrics and music, an opportunity for reflection on the past decade.

Bringing back alumni ICS! students in our Saturday Programme’s new Rooftop Academy allowed us to both have a band for the first time and enjoy a ‘royal’ joke with their repertoire of Queen. We wanted too, to pay tribute to our parents and created a Parents’ Choir with a section of the new song written just for them.

We are grateful to the Arts Council for a Jubilee grant which has enabled us to celebrate in style.

I wanted to say again my congratulations for an absolutely fantastic and very poignant show, … I just loved it. Parent

It was an amazing show, we really enjoyed it. Thank you all for your hard work! Parent

I also highly enjoyed singing that beautiful song with the parents’ choir. Parent

Photo: © CLIVE BARDA/ArenaPAL

Photo: © CLIVE BARDA/ArenaPAL

Photo: © CLIVE BARDA/ArenaPAL

Photo: © CLIVE BARDA/ArenaPAL

The pandemic restrictions that started in March 2020 affected some parts of One Spirit’s delivery more than others: project delivery in HMYOIs Feltham and Cookham Wood went on hold for over 12 months and the Mayor of London funded ‘YLF’ project, due to have started in HMP Aylesbury in late March 2020, had to be postponed.

However, work in Oakhill STC and mentoring in the community could continue due to the high demand and extremely vulnerable nature of the cohort. Additionally, young people being released from custody were still able to be referred to One Spirit on release and engage with us in the community and several boroughs’ YOT/S teams regularly met with their young people at the One Spirit premises in Brixton as council offices remained closed.

Lockdown then eased, but restrictions and unpredictability in the secure estates continued as staff shortages hit critical levels and the pandemic’s effect lingered with many staff being off sick. To some extent, these issues are still affecting the smooth running of prisons and YOIs, but since September 2021 One Spirit has returned to HMYOIs Feltham and Cookham Wood, delivering the project weekly; has continued to run in Oakhill STC uninterrupted; has begun the project at HMP Aylesbury that was postponed at the start of the pandemic and has delivered 2 short projects in HMP Woodhill.

Lockdown in prisons and YOIs continued long after restrictions were eased and eventually lifted in the community. Many of those serving sentences in custody were locked up for up to 23 hours per day. In the youth estate, ‘essential’ activities got young people out of their cells for a couple of hours a day from late summer 2020, but face to face delivery and mixing in education was still restricted for months longer. When the doors finally opened and young people in Feltham and Cookham Wood were allowed back in education a huge release of pressure inevitably occurred, manifesting in various ways, not all of them positive. Fortunately for One Spirit, the young people’s eagerness to get back into music sessions manifested in ferocious engagement. Working in smaller groups has allowed participants to get closer attention from One Spirit staff, energy levels have been consistently high and success stories, in terms of the impact that the project has had on young people, have been frequent. One young person remarked “Since you guys have been coming back in there’s just a buzz on the landing. Every man’s got their book out now and is writing bars in their cells”. It’s not uncommon to find highly talented and confident young men amongst this cohort, but since September it has perhaps been more impressive to see how many young people who have not engaged in any kind of music, and in some cases anything positive at all, have really opened up and found things out about themselves they didn’t know and done things, in many ways very well, which they have never done before. Teachers of other classes have noted how the project has improved young people’s behaviour and engagement in their classes; officers have noted that those involved with the project are often easier to manage, especially on days when they are due to attend One Spirit, and YOT/S teams have remarked that the sessions in the community are often the only activity that their young people will attend and engage in. Education Manager at Oakhill STC fed back:

“…. We have also seen an increase in the children’s focus and attendance in all aspects of their curriculum and the positive feelings they feel about themselves following a One Spirit session allows them to achieve more in lessons, resulting in an increase in successful qualifications for each child”.

One positive that seems to have come out of the pandemic and the restrictions applied, which saw many young people and adults locked up for up to 23 hours per day for over 12 months, is the boost it has given to the general discussion about wellbeing and mental health issues experienced by those in custody, as well as an increase in discussions around trauma-based approaches to working with this cohort. One Spirit’s participants have long been feeding back on how sessions, both in and out of custody, with One Spirit have helped them to ‘feel better’. Several young people have consistently called their One Spirit music sessions ‘therapy’ and more recently a young participant fed back “It’s mad, but every time I lie down to sleep and close my eyes, I just see violence, like all the things I’ve done and that have happened. I’m not serious about being a music artist, but doing this helps me to get a lot of stuff off my mind”. Ofsted have recently observed One Spirit’s sessions in both Oakhill STC and HMYOI Feltham, giving very positive feedback and noticing how the One Spirit method creates a classroom environment that fosters high engagement, trust and improved well-being amongst participants. One Ofsted inspector remarked:

 “In the HMDT Music session children write well-written, emotional songs that help them to express how they feel and to cope with their earlier traumatic experiences”.

Over the past 12 months the project has engaged over 180 participants in custody and 41

‘through the gate’ in the community. Activities have ranged from song/lyric writing and recording, music technology (composition, engineering and mixing music), music business study and developing entrepreneurial skills, personal skills development (preparing for employment, personal finance and other) and the crucial peripheral activities such as drama games, general group discussion and warm up activities. The successful impact of the project is borne out through direct and anecdotal feedback from participants and the staff in custody (see above) as well as statistics collected, such as:

99% of participants said they had learned something new; 92% of participants declare an increase in self-confidence; 76% of participants said they feel better about the future;

64% said they feel they are better at taking criticism and 58% said they feel more motivated.

Of the participants that engage with One Spirit through the gate, post their release from custody, 93% have not reoffended in 6+ months since their release, 67% are in employment and 27% are in college/FE.

Over the next 12 months, in addition to continuing to serve the young people/adults in Oakhill STC, HMYOIs Feltham and Cookham Wood as well as those released from custody and resettling back in their communities, One Spirit will:

• Initiate a ROTL provision (release on temporary licence), which allows eligible young people in custody the opportunity to be released during the day time to engage in activities in the community; this opportunity will serve the young people/adults in HMYOIs Cookham Wood and Feltham;
• Continue the project at HMP Aylesbury, which was postponed in 2020;
• Increase its presence in HMP Woodhill, where two pilot projects have led to the prison asking for a more consistent and regular provision.

Saturday Rooftop Academy is HMDT Music’s new band programme for Year 9+ students to work with industry professionals.

Students will learn established standards, and learn how to arrange and compose both their own songs and existing material. They will also benefit from: the experience of a professional recording artist, learning about the music industry, how to plan a set and a range of performance opportunities.

Who is it for?

If you’re Year 9+, minimum Grade 4 or equivalent on an instrument or voice, and want to have fun making music in a band or group and explore music from different genres, cultures and eras, then this is the programme for you! If you are also taking or thinking of taking GSCE or A-Level music this will be a great opportunity to enhance your musical skills and knowledge.

What does it offer?

• Performing music you enjoy in our new Rock/Pop Band and creating your own;
• Composition with professional composers who cover a broad spectrum of genres;
• Guest masterclasses from specialist artists from across the industry;
• Performance opportunities;
• The option to add an individual instrumental or singing lesson.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

or

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

HMDT Music’s new TIME CPD Programme: Embedding the Arts across the Curriculum  embraces our award-winning methodology refined over the past twenty years. The online year-long programme delivered by a team of expert artist educators builds technical skills for teachers in a range of art forms and introduces new ideas, methodologies and resources to support use of the arts to enhance the curriculum, raise achievement and inspire learning. The 12 sessions in art, music, drama, film and puppets are designed to give teachers confidence and expertise to help enhance students’ creativity, imagination and curiosity by delivering a broad and rich curriculum.

It has developed my classroom practice immeasurably, constantly being inspired by the new approaches to learning. Teacher

For more information

CLICK HERE

At 8.00am on Tuesday March 24^th 2020 we (One Spirit team) had just pulled into the car park of HMYOI Cookham Wood when we received a call from Cookham Wood’s education manager asking us to stay put; she’d call back in 5 minutes and update us on their ‘Covid plan’. Sure enough, 5 minutes later she called back and apologetically told us the prison was now fully locked down.

For the next 6+ weeks all face to face / in person One Spirit activities ceased; mentors switched to communicating with their mentees, and where appropriate delivering sessions by zoom and / or phone.  This worked well if the mentee had good Internet access – one mentee in particular was able to continue working on his business plan and setting up his record label with the mentor’s remote help – but with many of the cohort it was a poor substitute for the support they continued to need, if indeed it was possible at all.

By mid May face to face sessions gradually started to resume. It was noticeable that most of the young people (especially the younger ones) enrolled in the One Spirit mentoring program appeared generally nervous and confused about coming out, more unwilling than ever to use public transport and, given the stereotypes of this cohort being lawless and irresponsible it was surprising to see how confused and in even more need of solid guidance and direction they appeared to be.

The intensification of 2020’s BLM movement and the events preceding and following the death of George Floyd had no small impact on the individuals One Spirit works with in the community, 96% of whom are black or of mixed race heritage, and in what is almost post-Lockdown UK 2021 this impact continues to resonate. In addition and further heightening the intensity and vulnerability of the young people we work with the teenage murder rate in 2021, after only 5 months, has already surpassed that of 2020.

All these events combined have proved to be both a positive and negative motivator. Positively, the demand for our services from YOT has increased, young people’s attendance at sessions in the community has improved and it has been noticeable that most of the young people we are working with seem more motivated to find employment and / or enquire about further education. Negatively and perhaps predictably, the issue of isolation intensified during 2020, along with boredom, hopelessness and the loss of motivation. It was hard to get some young people to come out immediately after the first lockdown, but mentors kept up constant communication with their mentees and by late June 2020 face to face sessions gathered pace. This included mentors travelling to see young people in their communities around Greater London, and in some cases further afield if the young person had been re-housed outside London, as well as delivering sessions in one of the One Spirit mentor locations in either North West or South London.

In July of 2020 the education manager at Oakhill STC (formerly of HMP Aylesbury) contacted HMDT Music requesting the support of the One Spirit programme.  Oakhill houses 14-18 year olds, who for various reasons have been deemed too vulnerable to serve sentences in ‘mainstream’ YOIs. One Spirit delivery started with groups of up to 4 young people within the main education timetable; as soon as One Spirit staff had keys delivery switched to 1to1 support sessions for specific young people, identified as such either because of their resettlement plans or because of other specific needs. One Spirit staff have forged great relationships with staff at the centre and delivered some crucial and valuable work with young people, some of whom have already connected with the programme in the community post-release. Ofsted recently inspected the centre and rated HMDT Music’s provision there very highly amongst the aspects of education and care that are working well:

The link with the Hackney Music Trust is both interesting and meaningful.  It provides a very effective hook to engage the learners in other activities including self-evaluation and reflection.  It provides an emotional outlet for the teenagers and work has been done with the management to secure an understanding that “what is said in the room, stays in the room” (unless there are security/safety concerns).  The music activities provide a channel for the development of communication skills as the learners develop lyrics.  As well as providing an opportunity to develop a long-term hobby, this work has a resettlement aspect as the young people are followed up on release.  There are very close and effective links with the Music Technology teacher to ensure meaningful cross-over of technical and creative activities.

Gemma Howarth, Head of Education, Oakhill Secure Training Centre

In the last month (May/June 21) the prison service has given the go ahead to YOI establishments to restart work with outside agencies; HMYOIs Feltham and Cookham Wood and HMP Aylesbury have all been in touch with HMDT Music to discuss a resumption in delivery.

Work in the community continues apace, and of the 24 young people / adults currently accessing the programme:

• 33% are in college or further education
• 54% are in full or part time employment
• 91% have not reoffended

Young people, their parents / carers, and the staff working with them in statutory settings continue to give positive feedback about One Spirit’s programme:

“I can go studio with my boys, but it’s not the same. You were there with me when I was in jail and you’ve continued to be there since I came out. I’m not saying you’re my counsellor, but coming studio with you is like counselling, I need it. It’s fun and all that, but also it really helps.”

Young person engaging with One Spirit in the community

“We’ve just been talking for like 45 minutes and hardly done any music, but it was a sick lesson; thanks Sir.”

Young person after 1to1 session at Oakhill STC

“This is so helpful, there should be more things like this. I’m really glad I came with D today.”

Young person’s mother, attending a session in the community with her son

“I just wanted to thank you for sending over the updates on the young people’s progress.  I wanted also to feedback to you on the service you offer as we have just undergone an inspection and your work was highlighted as a particularly positive intervention.

 What stood out to inspectors was the fact that you were able to open up and remain a safe environment during much of the lockdown – providing a much-needed outlet for our young people.  You were one of the few agencies to do this and this was appreciated hugely by the young people we work with and practitioners alike. Furthermore the fact that you continue to work with young people after their Order or YOT involvement is complete provides us with an excellent ‘exit plan’ for our young people and means that they continue to engage in positive activities.

 It was also noted that through the excellent work you do in Oakhill and HMP YOI you have been able to offer some continuity for our young people from your work with them both in the community and in custody- this is hugely comforting to them at a time when they feel most alone and vulnerable.

Basically just a big thank you for all you do – please keep doing it!!”

Manager, Merton YOT

★★★★

“Jina and The STEM Sisters seeks not solely to promote creativity … but opens arms to young girls, advocating them to be courageous in the face of oppression, be proud in the curiosity they demonstrate and be weird, be clever, and driven to explore the world.”

The Reviews Hub

Preview 7: We asked our female team to sum up the project in just one or two words. It proved quite a challenge! How would you summarise the show?

PREVIEW: The one word challenge to describe the show!

★★★★★

“This is a production that can be appreciated on several levels and it is most definitely worth seeing with your children.”

London Living Large

Featuring puppeteers Ruth Calkin and Nix Wood, singers: Nadine Benjamin, Eloise Eisenberg, Abigail Kelly, Susan Moore, Jessica Gillingwater and the I Can Sing! Children’s Chorus, with the STEM Sisters band directed by Jenny Gould.

For ALL ages from 8+.

Streaming NOW! until 11 April.

Find out more and book tickets HERE!