From music to horse therapy - inside the transformational work of Key4Life | BRIT Trust Diaries
In this edition of the BRIT Trust Diaries, Eva Hamilton MBE, the inspirational founder of crime-prevention charity, Key4Life, talks Rehabilitation, Music, and Transforming Young Lives
I founded the crime-prevention charity Key4Life in response to the 2011 London Riots, when I witnessed children as young as eight rioting. Sadly, in such a polarised society, similar unrest is never likely to be that far away, and can still play out across Britain’s streets today.
Having spent nearly four decades working with marginalised communities, including the homeless and war veterans, I drew on all my experience and everything I had learned to develop Key4Life’s seven-step rehabilitation model – a unique blend of music therapy, horse therapy, football, and employability workshops – to help young men in prison, or those at risk of offending, to find a new and more purposeful path in life.
Breaking the Cycle of Crime
The odds of rehabilitation are stacked against these men, yet Key4Life has achieved extraordinary results. When participants leave prison, we place them in three-day work tasters and support them in securing employment, which is the essential glue that keeps them away from crime. Almost since Key4Life’s inception, the BRIT Trust has played a vital role in our success, funding our Through the Gate prison programmes.
Their valued support has helped us deliver outstanding results: From nearly 50 programmes across the Southwest, London, the Northwest, and the Midlands, and with over 1,500 participants taking part, just 7% have gone on to reoffend, versus a Government rate of 64%, while as many as two-thirds (65%) have found employment or training opportunities, compared with a Government rate of only 15%. This all adds up to the telling stat that, for every £1 invested in Key4Life, there has been a £13.46 return - saving the UK taxpayer nearly £5 million over three years. Many of our graduates now thrive in sectors such as finance, marketing, music, IT, catering, and construction, thanks to such partners as Schroders, KPMG, and Willis Towers Watson, who provide invaluable employment opportunities.
The Transformative Power of Music
The BRIT Trust’s backing has been particularly impactful in unlocking creativity and emotional expression through music. Thanks to their funding, we’ve hosted music workshops in prisons and community settings, engaging renowned artists such as Jordan Stephens (Rizzle Kicks), Fred Again, DJ Semtex, George the Poet, KSI, and producer Naughty Boy. These collaborations have led to projects like I and I (produced by Naughty Boy), and the Key4Life Volume 1 EP, released with Sony Music UK and Columbia Records, and featuring nine Key4Life rappers (produced by Fred Again and DJ Semtex).
Leadership and Advocacy
The BRIT Trust’s commitment extends beyond funding. Trustee Caroline Dollimore, also Chair of its PR Committee, has joined Key4Life’s board, strengthening our partnership and advocacy efforts. Her dual role enhances collaboration, ensuring that music remains central to our mission of rehabilitation.
A Shared Vision for Change
Key4Life and the BRIT Trust share a deep belief in music’s power to improve lives and inspire change. Through financial support, industry connections, and mentorship, this fruitful partnership helps to reduce reoffending and empowers young men to build brighter futures. I extend my deepest gratitude to the BRIT Trust and its trustees for their unwavering support, and to The BRIT Awards, MITs, and other industry events that ultimately make their funding possible. The BRIT Trust’s involvement has been instrumental in developing our programme and in reinforcing the profound impact of music in driving social change.
Get Involved
To learn more about Key4Life, visit www.key4life.org.uk. If you’d like to support the charity by mentoring a young man, offering three-day work tasters or job opportunities, hosting employability workshops, or by providing financial support, contact Key4Life at [email protected].
