Of all people leaving prison, 45% reoffend within a year, costing £18bn annually. Those who get a job after prison are less likely to reoffend. Yet 83% are not in work after a year due to the lack of training, employment opportunities and targeted support upon release. Alongside this, rising school exclusion rates, excessive cuts to youth services and a court system in crisis leave many young people with a lack of purposeful activity and at risk of entering the criminal justice system.

Making Waves provides engaging one-to-one studio sessions with wraparound employability support in a safe environment, to young people leaving prison and young people at risk of turning to crime. Participants make their own original music with a professional producer with the option to share and perform their tracks. Crucially, targeted mentoring and a King’s Trust qualification give participants the opportunity to set professional development goals to work towards with structured support.