The year included a number of significant projects at Wormwood Scrubs. The prison's 150th anniversary provided an opportunity to create a programme reflecting both the history of the prison and the lives of those within it. The Project also contributed to Remembrance and delivered an ambitious Christmas programme, bringing together men in custody, more than 250 prison staff and professional musicians. Recording continued to be an important element of the programme. The opportunity to work towards a finished recording provides focus and encourages participants to develop musical, communication and collaborative skills. It also creates a permanent record of achievement that can be shared with families and, where appropriate, wider audiences.
Taking Prisoners’ Voices Beyond the Prison
One of the most significant projects of the year was Go Find Miracles, presented at Waterloo Station in collaboration with artist Rory Pilgrim and partner organisation Art on the Underground. The project enabled creative work involving men from HMP Dartmoor and other prisons to reach an audience on an exceptional scale. During the installation at Waterloo, the work was encountered by an estimated audience of more than two million people. This represented an important aspect of PCP's developing work: not only bringing musicians and communities from outside into prisons, but finding appropriate ways of taking the creativity, voices and experiences of people in custody into the wider community.
Projects of this kind can help challenge assumptions about people in prison while giving participants the experience of having their creative contribution taken seriously beyond the prison environment.
Expansion Beyond Wormwood Scrubs
During the year the Prison Choir Project also significantly developed its work beyond Wormwood Scrubs.
At HMP Usk, the charity established a regular programme of music-making. The group quickly began to develop its own identity and sense of community, with men returning to sing, rehearse and create together weekly. The work demonstrated the importance of regularity: as relationships developed, participants became increasingly confident in contributing ideas and taking ownership of the musical direction of the group.
The charity also undertook work at HMP Hollesley Bay, alongside projects and collaborations in other prison settings. These programmes allowed PCP to test and develop its approach in prisons with different populations and circumstances.
Although the format of individual projects varies according to each prison, the underlying model remains consistent: professional musicians working collaboratively with participants, high artistic expectations and an emphasis on creating something together rather than simply delivering an activity to them.
Artistic Quality
The Trustees believe that the artistic quality of PCP's work is fundamental to its impact. During the year the charity provided employment for more than 40 professional musicians. Participants worked alongside experienced singers and instrumentalists drawn from the professional music world.
PCP deliberately seeks to provide music-making of a standard comparable with that available outside prison. The Trustees believe that people in custody should not be offered a lesser artistic experience simply because they are in prison. High expectations are an important part of the model. Participants are asked to rehearse, listen, collaborate and take responsibility for their contribution. Working alongside excellent professional musicians can alter expectations of what is possible and enables participants to create performances and recordings of which they can take genuine pride.
The charity's expenditure during the year reflects this commitment. As PCP's activity increased, so did its investment in professional musicians and direct charitable delivery.
Fundraising and the Big Give
Maintaining regular, high-quality work requires substantial investment, particularly because PCP is committed to employing professional musicians and developing long-term programmes rather than relying solely upon occasional voluntary activity. A significant development towards the end of the financial year was the charity's participation in the Big Give Arts for Impact campaign. The campaign generated approximately £13,000 including Gift Aid, providing important support for the continuation and development of the charity's work.
The Trustees are particularly grateful to the individuals, trusts, foundations and other supporters whose generosity has enabled PCP to expand its activities while maintaining the quality and consistency of its established programmes.
Financial Position and Reserves
The year represented a period of substantial investment in charitable activity. Expenditure increased significantly as the Project employed more professional musicians, expanded its programme and delivered a wider range of projects.
The Trustees regard this increased expenditure as a reflection of the growth in the charity's direct charitable activity.
The charity continues to operate with comparatively low fixed overheads. It has no permanent premises and the majority of its expenditure is directed towards delivering its charitable purposes, including professional musicians, project delivery and the management necessary to sustain the programme. The Trustees continue to monitor reserves carefully and commit to programmes only where they are satisfied that the charity has sufficient resources to meet its obligations.
Looking Ahead