Hear Me Out

Who we are

Hear Me Out takes music-making into immigration detention centres and other places where migrants are confined, like asylum hotels and army barracks.  Our artists work with people in these places, supporting them to create, record and perform original music.  We create platforms for their music and stories, building support and understanding of a group that is being placed under increasing pressure by the UK’s ‘hostile environment’.  We are a national leader in this work with unparalleled experience in this complex territory. 

Previously known as Music In Detention, for nearly 20 years we have supported people in detention to recover their sense of wellbeing and resilience, and make their voices heard, by:

• Offering a creative, expressive outlet that supports self-confidence and agency
• Providing positive experiences to counter the psychological damage of detention
• Running creative collaborations that build solidarity with groups in local communities
• Building platforms to bring their creative work and life experience to a public audience

Our values and ethics frame our work.  Hear Me Out should empower people, help them speak for themselves and take control of their lives.  We look to create artistic work of the highest quality.  We do not seek to impose a narrative but are curious about individual stories and experiences.  We’re independent, working with people going through the immigration system but not becoming part of it. We treat everyone we encounter with respect.  We’re committed to bringing co-creation into our organisation, and sharing power with the people Hear Me Out was set up to support.