LIBERTY CHOIR 5 A message from Liberty Choir’s founders 4 LIBERTY CHOIR dear reader, Liberty Choir UK is the brainchild of MJ Paranzino, developed with her wife and co-founder Ginny Dougary, from a strong kernel of an idea to an indomitable reality. Each person’s missteps have an impact on their life, but they don’t need to forever define them. A sad story can be superseded by a more positive one. Something beautiful can grow out of something tragic. The charity’s work begins inside prisons – through weekly rehearsals of a choir made up of prisoners and volunteers from community choirs – and blossoms when the choir’s ex-offenders, now called graduates, leave prison and are supported by the team and volunteers. We started in just one prison, HMP Wandsworth, and are now in ten across London, Surrey, Sussex and Kent on a weekly basis and will be in twelve by the end of 2026 – with our move into Dorset and Hampshire. We have seen more than 2,500 individual prisoners in that time and are in touch with more than 130 graduates. We currently have 100 active volunteers. 2014 Launched at HMP Wandsworth as a Community Interest Co Liberty Choir The story so far 2017 Became a registered charity 2018 Grew to 3 prisons (including HMP High Down & HMP Downview) MJ Paranzino and Ginny Dougary
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