Key Changes

🎵 “Music saved my life.”

We hear this often — and we know music can create connection and hope for the future.

Making Liverpool More Liveable is a su***de-prevention music mentoring programme for boys and men across Merseyside, particularly those experiencing mental health challenges, emotional distress, social isolation or increased su***de risk.

Through professional studio sessions, artist development and peer-led wellbeing support, participants:

Write, record and produce original music
Build trusted relationships with mentors and peers
Express difficult emotions through music
Strengthen confidence, resilience and a sense of purpose

Delivered through professional recording studio sessions in Liverpool, alongside weekly online artist development sessions with music industry experts and peer-facilitated Musicians’ Wellbeing sessions, the programme is designed to reach boys and men earlier — before distress develops into crisis.

A major thank you to the Mark McQueen Foundation and Community Foundation for Merseyside for making this work possible.

Music can be more than an outlet. It can be a route back to connection and hope.

Music has the power to connect, inspire and transform. ❤️🎶

Join Key Changes on the Main Stage The Cally Festival at 1:15pm for a special performance celebrating the positive impact of music on mental health and wellbeing.

Key Changes is a UK charity supporting people with lived experience of mental health challenges. We use songwriting, music production, performance and mentoring to help people build confidence and support recovery.

At The Cally Festival, our talented artists will perform a mix of original songs and much-loved covers developed through our music mentoring programmes.

📍 Main Stage
🕜 1:15pm
🎟️ Free event

Come along, enjoy some fantastic live music, and help celebrate the difference creativity can make. 💙

🎶 Songwriting Social at The Maudsley Hospital, Lucas Ward

We’re launching Songwriting Social, a Saturday music group for women on Lucas Ward, a female acute ward at The Maudsley Hospital South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

Weekends on inpatient wards can be a time when people experience increased isolation, distress or low mood. Songwriting Social has been developed to bring more meaningful creative activity into that part of the week — creating a relaxed, supportive space for music, connection and self-expression.

The focus is on choice, confidence, connection and participation — whether that means writing lyrics, sharing song ideas, singing, listening, choosing sounds, or simply being part of the group.

Delivered by Key Changes as part of our trauma-informed music mentoring work in hospitals and communities.

🎶 Bethlem Festival 2026* 🎶

We’re looking forward to sharing some feelgood tunes at this year’s Bethlem Festival Bethlem Gallery South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

There’ll be:

🍴 Food
🕺 Movement
🎵 Music
🎨 Workshops

Hope to see you there — entry is free.

📍 Outside Bethlem Gallery
Monks Orchard Road, BR3 3BX
📅 Saturday 20 June 2026
🕛 12–4pm

🎤 Midweek Mic at Ladywell Unit, Lewisham

We’re launching Midweek Mic, a new out-of-hours music initiative for people on acute and intensive care wards at the Ladywell Unit, Lewisham Hospital South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

Evenings on inpatient wards can be a time when people experience increased isolation, distress or low mood. Midweek Mic has been developed to bring more meaningful creative activity into that part of the week — creating a relaxed, supportive space for music, connection and shared expression.

The focus is on choice, confidence, connection and participation — whether that means stepping up to the mic, joining a chorus, choosing a song, or simply being part of the group.

Delivered by Key Changes as part of our trauma-informed music mentoring work in hospitals and communities.

Artist Volunteers: promoting positive mental health through music

This post and image were created by Key Changes Artist Volunteers during our weekly online session.

Through the Artist Volunteer Programme, volunteers give back to the charity, develop digital media skills, build community, and use creativity to support positive mental health.

The Artist Volunteer Programme is for artists who are completing, or have completed, one of our programmes. It offers a progression pathway that helps people stay connected to Key Changes, maintain a sense of community, and continue developing their confidence, skills and creative identity.

As Artist Volunteers, we use music, creativity and peer support to help give people a voice.

Many of us bring lived experience of mental health challenges. Through volunteering, we support other artists, represent Key Changes, and help create safe spaces where people can build confidence, connect with others and challenge stigma.

We give our time across community events, open mics, wellbeing sessions and creative health activities. By sharing our creativity and experience, we help raise awareness and encourage others to get involved.

Here’s what some of our Artist Volunteers said:

“The Key Changes Wellbeing Group has made me much more confident.”

“I have furthered my ambitions in the music industry and collaborated with others who struggle with their mental health.”

“Key Changes has helped me get back into music production, improve technical skills, mix tracks, and now I volunteer to represent Key Changes.”

“I have enjoyed recording songs that I wrote with Key Changes, and the producers have a highly professional way of developing the finished product.”

“There’s a lot of the psychology of enjoying music.”

Artist Volunteers show how creativity, peer support and safe spaces can be a powerful force for positive mental health.