Research findings and statistics

“Since 2003, Good Vibrations evaluations have consistently been found to inspire positive outcomes for participants.”
Dr Jennie Henley, The Institute of Education, 2014

From 2022 – 2023:

94%

of completers developed team-working skills

78%

of completers improved their communication skills

79%

of completers became more confident

88%

of completers became more motivated

581

Number of participants

136

Audience members

69%

of participants considered themselves to have a disability

75

People joined our Keep in Touch programme

62%

Proportion of participants who were male

44%

Proportion who were under 34

40%

Proportion who were 35-54

16%

Proportion who were over 54

65%

Completion rates

49

Number of qualifications achieved

124

New pieces of music created

Independent research findings

The following, independent research has been published on our work:

  1. “Breaking Down Walls; The Good Vibrations Project in Prison”, Birmingham City University (2006)
  2. “All Together Now; An Evaluation of The Therapeutic Benefits of Good Vibrations”, Cambridge University (2007)
  3. “Promoting Positive Change”, Birmingham City University (2008)
  4. “Continuing Positive Change in Prison and the Community”, Birmingham City University (2010)
  5. “Musical Learning and Desistance From Crime”, Institute of Education (2014)
  6. “Good Vibrations: Health and Well-being of Older Prisoners”, University of Worcester (2015)
  7. “Exploring Good Vibrations Projects with Vulnerable and Challenging Women in Prison”, Bath Spa University and University of Worcester (2015)
  8. “Evaluation of the Use of Good Vibrations Courses to Improve Motivation to Change and Treatment Readiness with Convicted Sexual  Offenders Embarking on Treatment Programmes”, Nottingham Trent University (2015)

For the full publications, visit the Arts Evidence Library. You can see highlights from the research here.

Good Vibrations acts as a catalyst for change in the lives of offenders, and … this positive change is sustained as offenders move through the prison system and out into the community.

Birmingham City University

Good Vibrations significantly improves confidence, listening and communication skills, tolerance, levels of self-expression, and ability to cope with stress … For many participants these changes are sustained in the long-term.

Birmingham City University

Six months after completing a Good Vibrations project, participants experienced: greater levels of engagement and an increased openness to wider learning; improved listening and communication skills; improved social skills and increased social interaction; improved relationships with prison staff; and decreased levels of self-reported anger.

Birmingham City University

Increasingly, towards the end of the week, group members spontaneously and independently controlled their own behaviour, without needing prompts from the more focussed group members.

Cambridge University

The (project) provided motivation for the development of a respectful and focussed group environment, but also for the development of skills with which to achieve this.

Cambridge University

Good Vibrations gets prisoners into the education department, many of whom would never have considered enrolling on ‘basic maths or English’, and as such, for many of those who participate, the project acts as a gateway to other learning.

Birmingham City University

(Good Vibrations) encourages prisoners who have been isolated to develop social and group skills, and in doing so has the ability to
also facilitate changes to thinking and behaviour.

Birmingham City University

The Good Vibrations project was considered by all participants, those with mobilisation issues, and those who observed individuals with mobilisation issues, to be accommodating and easily adapted in order for accessibility issues.

Bath Spa University and University of Worcester

Taking part in a Good Vibrations project can reduce anger, worry, and levels of unhappiness, and improve social skills.

Bath Spa University

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Photography by Toby Madden/The Independent, Osman Deen/South London Press, Camilla Panufnik, Elspeth Van Der Hole, GDA Design, Gigi Chiying Lam, G. Bland, Alan Bryden, Mark Carlin, Rachel Cherry, Francois Boutemy, Andy Hollingworth, Rebaz Yassin, and Guy Smallman.

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