Evaluation Title

Evaluation Report: Community Exchange project between detainees at Harmondsworth Immigration Removal Centre and young people at West London YMCA

Type of evaluation

Data type Qualitative

Evaluation Focus Attitudinal change, Cost benefit, Emotional change, Participation, Progression Routes, Psychological change, Sense of self, Skills development, Well Being

Key indicators Musical Skills, Understanding, Well Being

Methodologies Focus Groups, Interviews, Observation, Questionnaires

Research limitations Longer term impact, Sample size

Summary of evaluation

The report explores the project’s impacts on participants’ wellbeing and resilience, awareness and understanding, and musical skills. Based on observations, questionnaires, interviews and focus groups, it contains a wealth of detail about the creative process and the experience of participants. The report also looks at the project as an example of inclusive practice, examining what made it succeed and what could be done to improve outcomes further. It puts forward a number of recommendations for Music In Detention and the wider sector, broken down into three categories: concept, planning and delivery. 

Key Quote

“I’d never see myself in a position to write let alone be a part of someone’s track or anything like that, but after joining in and getting involved it was a real good way to let out emotion, built up emotion through writing and then putting that into a track really gives you a sense achievement.”


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Arts Alliance Evidence Library