Project Deep Dive - Tuning In

Over the past year, Tuning In brought music, technology and creative learning together to support people experiencing homelessness in Lincoln. With the project now complete, we’re taking a closer look at what we achieved and the difference it made to participants’ skills, confidence and wellbeing.

Tackling digital exclusion through music

Tuning In was designed to help people experiencing homelessness develop digital skills and confidence through music-making. The project provided access to technology and practical training, helping participants overcome some of the barriers that digital exclusion can create, from accessing essential services and communicating with others to looking for employment.

By combining digital skills development with creative engagement, the project offered participants an opportunity to learn in a welcoming and supportive environment. Music provided an accessible way to explore technology, try something new and develop practical skills, while the shared experience of music-making helped to create opportunities for connection and reduce isolation.

Across the project, 33 people took part in 29 sessions, with SoundLincs collaborating with five partner organisations supporting people experiencing homelessness and living in supported accommodation.

Building digital skills and confidence

The impact of the project was measured using the Lincolnshire County Council Skills Champion Participant Evaluation, which asked participants to rate their confidence in different skills before and after sessions.

Across the project, participants demonstrated an average 30.12% increase in confidence in their digital skills.

Participants also provided written feedback about the skills and confidence they had developed. One participant said the sessions had “improved confidence in technology and using music applications”, while others highlighted learning to use an iPad to access technology and discovering new apps and what they could do.

For participants who may have previously felt excluded from technology, these were important steps towards developing greater confidence and independence in using digital tools.

Music and mental wellbeing

The project also explored the impact that creative engagement had on participants’ mental wellbeing.

Our evaluation framework, developed in partnership with Dr Rob Dean at the University of Lincoln, combined qualitative feedback with emotional tracking. Participants were asked to describe how they were feeling before and after sessions, allowing us to explore changes in their emotional state.

The evaluation data showed a clear shift following Tuning In sessions. Feelings associated with being unsettled, disconnected and low in energy were reduced, while participants increasingly described feeling safe, thankful and peaceful.

There was also a noticeable increase in feelings of being focused, fascinated and involved.

These findings demonstrated the value of providing people experiencing homelessness with opportunities to engage creatively, develop new skills and experience a sense of achievement. For individuals who may have been experiencing significant isolation and other challenges, the sessions provided a positive space to connect, participate and focus on something constructive.

Confidence through creativity

One of the most powerful aspects of Tuning In was seeing participants discover abilities they did not necessarily know they had.

S, who took part through Mint Lane Café, had never engaged with music before joining the project. Initially shy and unsure of her ability, she was encouraged to experiment with music technology and gradually began to develop her confidence.

At first, S found the technical aspects of music difficult and recognised that she struggled to distinguish between different notes. However, she persevered until she reached a point where she felt she was creating something that “sounds like music”.

Her confidence continued to grow throughout the sessions. She became increasingly willing to participate, try new things and challenge herself, even when there was “always a lot going on” around her.

By the end of her involvement, S was keen to continue developing her musical skills and had expressed an interest in exploring singing lessons alongside music technology.

A lasting impact

Tuning In demonstrated what could be achieved when digital inclusion and creative engagement were brought together.

The project supported participants to develop practical digital skills, but its impact went beyond this. Through music, participants were given opportunities to build confidence, discover new interests, connect with others and experience the sense of achievement that comes from creating something themselves.

The evidence gathered throughout the project showed positive changes in both digital confidence and emotional wellbeing, demonstrating how creative approaches can help tackle some of the wider challenges faced by people experiencing homelessness.

For SoundLincs, Tuning In also provided valuable learning about how music can be used as a route into digital inclusion, confidence-building and social connection, and how creative activity can help people who are experiencing significant disadvantage to feel more engaged, capable and connected.