BBC Radio 4 documentary on Lullaby Project with dads in prison

We are delighted that BBC Radio 4 has broadcast a beautiful half-hour documentary about our Arts Council England supported Lullaby Project in partnership with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra ‘Resound’ with dads in prison. It first aired Tuesday 11th January at 11.30am, was featured on ‘Pick of The Week’ and is now available to listen again on ‘Seriously’ podcast steam here.

 

“They have experienced something incredible…” In July 2021 we were delighted that the Lullaby Project could finally return to physical delivery (after two projects adapted for online delivery during lockdown); also our first in-person intensive project in a prison since the pandemic began.

In November we were able to return for a second project with a new group of dads, who feature in the BBC Radio 4 documentary. You can listen to the beautiful songs they wrote with us for their children below.

November 2021  

 

LULLABY PROJECT WITH DADS IN PRISON, NOVEMBER 2021

Creative Team
Irene Taylor Trust: Sara Lee, Rob Willson
RPO Resound: Jo Marsh, Roberto Sorrentino

Musicians
Anne Mulroy – Voice
Rob Willson – Trumpet
Sali-Wyn Ryan – Violin
Rachel van der Tang – Cello
Martin Philip Owen – Percussion
Jo Marsh – Flute
Helen Storey – Bassoon

Orchestrated by Nick Hayes
Recorded and mixed by Emma Williams

Project Managers
ITT – Jake Tily
RPO – Martha Earley

Cover art by Keir Cooper

PROJECT SUPPORTED BY
Arts Council England
The Kestrelman Trust
The Radcliffe Trust
People Plus

July 2021 

We had amazing support from all the prison staff. The project resulted in eight moving songs written with the men about their children to share, with Nick Hayes (who does an absolutely incredible job composing/orchestrating the pieces) joining the team via Zoom to advise during the process of rehearsing and recording. Listen to the finished songs below.

The prison Governor visited the rehearsals with the men and said: “I have experienced this kind of intervention with offenders many times over the years. I’ve always found when you go away, there are people left here in cells who will be better for it. They have experienced something incredible. Generally, prisoners are nice people of normal IQ who’ve come through hard times and truly appreciate talented professionals such as yourselves giving them encouragement, hope and something different. Most prisoners have a lack of self-esteem, lack of ambition and don’t even realise how isolated they’ve become, and this interaction with such talented people allows them to experience a sense of release, normality and frequently sparks off an element of positivity which they’ve not experienced in life. The value of them meeting with talented, non-judgmental influences is inestimable and the prison management has a real debt of thanks to you.”

 

LULLABY PROJECT WITH DADS IN PRISON, JULY 2021

Creative Team
Irene Taylor Trust: Sara Lee, Rob Willson
RPO Resound: Sali-Wyn Ryan, Chantal Louise Webster

Musicians
Annie Gill – Voice
Sali-Wyn Ryan – Violin
Jo Marsh – Flute
Martin Owens – Percussion
Rob Willson – Trumpet
Chantal Louise Webster – Cello
Joshua Nathanael Cirtina – Bass Trombone

Orchestrated by Nick Hayes
Recorded by Emma Williams

Project Managers
ITT – Jake Tily
RPO – Martha Earley

Cover art by Keir Cooper

PROJECT SUPPORTED BY
The Kestrelman Trust
The Radcliffe Trust
Suffolk Community Foundation
People Plus

 

 

 

You can find out more about the Lullaby Project and listen to music from previous projects here.

Last summer, participants from the earlier London Lullaby Projects, including dads from our Sounding Out programme for former prisoners, were interviewed by Lucy Drever for the BBC Proms At Home series, which you can watch below.

Please consider supporting our work 

Our work is only possible thanks to support from those who share our belief in the power of music to transform lives. If you like what we do and would like to help us do more, find out about the ways you can support us here (including making one off donation, becoming a friend, or spreading the word on social media).

Your support in any form would be greatly appreciated. Find out more about how our projects can help people to make positive changes their lives here.