Simon’s story
I am an army veteran, who served 6 1/2 years including time in Afghanistan. I was shot and experience PTSD.
Being in prison was in the darkest moment in my life and Good Vibrations was able to help me back up my feet on some of the challenges I was battling emotionally through their music project.
I have poor mental health and anxiety. When I was in prison, I also had immigration issues, so I was very stressed. As a young Black guy, I was brought up not to show weakness or emotion. Silence is reinforced. I couldn’t open up.
I wasn’t keen to enrol on the course. There’s no freedom in prison but when I took part I found I felt free, and I enjoyed myself. I found it uplifting and everyone was supportive.
When I took part, I felt free, I could feel I was opening up. The course was good for breaking down barriers. It breaks down barriers and you respect people for who they are – then I could start to accept myself. There are fast and slow learners, and you have to be accommodating of everyone. You start to be in rhythm with others and yourself and collectively it sounds perfect. Irrespective of hitting the wrong note, we all need one another, and we are stronger being together.
Trust has been an issue for me – particularly when I arrived in prison. Playing gamelan gave me confidence and I started to accept people for who they are. My anxiety went down, and I started to open up. I became an advocate for GV and got other people to sign up to the next course who would never have done it otherwise.
I’ve been out for a month and my legal issues (about the right to stay in the UK) have now been resolved. I’m getting involved in my community, I want to volunteer with Good Vibrations. I really want to set up a community support group for people to be able to talk about their problems in prison.
It’s been a pleasure to have had the opportunity to work with Good Vibrations. This has been the most difficult part of my life I’ve had to endure and I’m grateful to Good Vibrations for playing a vital role in it.
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Simon’s story
Simon took part in two Good Vibrations projects whilst in prison. During his second project he was an advocate for our work in prison and supported us to recruit new participants. Read his story
Changing lives through communal music-making
With your support we can work with some of the most marginalised people in the UK, in prisons, secure hospitals and in the community. Our expert team of facilitators support participants to grow in confidence, deepen their communication and social skills, and develop more positive self-identities. They connect with their creativity and musicality, find community with others, and build a sense of hope for the future.
There are more ways you can support us
Host a Team building day
Sign up to our newsletter
Do some fundraising
Buy our music