Powerful testimony to the transformational impact that Good Vibrations can have on people's lives:

Case study: M, 20 year old male Good Vibrations participant

(interviewed in March 2011)

M comes from Somerset and had been in London for a year. He did a one-week Good Vibrations project as part of an employability skills course run by Tomorrow’s People.

For the weeks leading up to the Good Vibrations project he had been homeless, sleeping in an office initially and then, having been discovered and evicted from there just before the Good Vibrations project started, was sleeping on the streets. With the help of Good Vibrations staff during the course, he had made contact with Crisis and had found a place in a hostel.

We interviewed him shortly after the Good Vibrations project:

"The week was hard, but playing gamelan kept me focused. [Because of being homeless] I was late and worried, but in the sessions I was focused and able to channel my energy.

“I felt I had a purpose within the group, that I was part of something really beautiful.

“I wasn’t on my best form, but sitting there playing feels right - I feel safe and secure - and that's crucial. When I step in there - from that moment I'm in a musical trance, there are no worries and no fear.

“I've learnt that there is no need to hesitate and hold back. I've learnt so much."

M felt that he wanted to play more music and since the Good Vibrations course had taken part in a guitar class run by Crisis. He would like to see a future for himself in music. Good Vibrations has offered him a small bursary to buy his own guitar.

Case study: K, 25 year old female Good Vibrations participant

(interviewed in July 2011)

K did a GV course at Peterborough Prison in early 2008 and a work placement with Good Vibrations in 2010.

“Good Vibrations inspired me to want to learn more about music and when I returned home, I applied to do music at the University of Sheffield. I was accepted on the course and have now graduated with a 2.1 degree. I have completed modules in 'music and health' and 'world music' and now hope to find a career as part of a team which uses music to help people in prisons and in the community.

“My own experience of prison was difficult, I felt lost, but the Good Vibrations team helped me see that I could turn it into a positive thing and change my life for the better. The 5 day Good Vibrations course wasn't just about the music for me, it was about a number of things: getting out of the cell, meeting new people, learning about something different.

“I learnt far more than I ever thought I would, listening to other peoples opinions and suggestions and being able to use the instruments to express how we felt was a real benefit as doing that anywhere else in prison wouldn't really be possible.

“My confidence grew and I suddenly felt that I wanted to learn more. University has helped me to fully understand the benefits of music in prison, particularly Gamelan. I contacted Good Vibrations again and they offered me the opportunity to attend a course on a work placement. This was a brilliant experience! I thought at first it might be difficult but it really wasn't. The facilitators were fantastic and the group were really welcoming. I was able to share my experiences with them and show them that with a little hard work, they can achieve whatever they set their minds to. I now hope that I can use all of my experiences to help other people like me doing something that I feel passionate about."