Cordis Bright is evaluating the SHIFT programme, a six-month, one-to-one music mentoring programme developed by AudioActive. The programme is funded by the Youth Endowment Fund (YEF) and aims to reduce serious youth violence and offending among young people aged 11-17 in East Sussex, West Sussex, and Brighton and Hove.

SHIFT uses music as a therapeutic tool to build trusted relationships between mentors and young people, helping participants regulate emotions, improve wellbeing, and develop positive, pro-social identities. The programme is targeted at young people who have offended, been arrested, or are at significant risk of offending, including those experiencing school exclusion or criminal exploitation.

The evaluation, which runs from May 2024 to May 2027, involves a randomised controlled trial (RCT) with an internal pilot phase. A total of 586 young people will be recruited to the study, with half receiving the SHIFT programme and half allocated to a control group receiving light-touch signposting and safeguarding support. The evaluation will assess the programme’s impact on delinquent behaviour, wellbeing, pro-social values, and educational engagement, as well as the factors contributing to successful implementation.

Key features of the SHIFT programme:

• Personalised support: Participants receive 18 weekly one-to-one mentoring sessions over six months, tailored to their individual needs and interests.
• Music as a ‘hook’: Sessions combine music-making and structured mentoring to build trusted relationships, improve emotional regulation, and foster a positive, pro-social identity.
• Targeted cohort: The programme works with young people identified as high/medium risk of offending due to factors such as school exclusion, peer associations, and behavioural challenges.

The study is registered on the ISRCTN registry, a clinical trial registry recognised by WHO and ICMJE. You can download a copy of the protocol below.

Shift Evaluation Protocol October 2024

For more information about the AudioActive evaluation, please contact Kathryn Lord or Caitlin Hogan-Lloyd.