Community Choir is improving people's lives
19/05/2008
A new community choir for the over 50s organised by Age Concern Exeter as one of their Link 2 projects has been helping many older people who live in Exeter to grow in confidence and have fun.
Age Concern Exeter receives Government funding, through Devon County Council, to provide a range of Link 2 activities that aim to improve the quality of life for people over 50. It is one of a number of Council-supported projects across Devon with the same aims.
The Linking Voices community choir is for anyone over 50 who would like to join a friendly fun group of people who enjoy singing together. It also helps people who are isolated in some way, through bereavement or ill health, for example, or simply by virtue of them not knowing other people locally.
Isolation itself can be detrimental, and in some circumstances can lead to depression and a decline in peoples health, wellbeing, and quality of life.
Over 30 people now attend the singing group, which meet on Monday afternoons between 2pm and 4pm at the Mint Methodist Church at the top of Fore Street, Exeter. The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly, and members sing a mixture of traditional and popular music, learning new tunes and different rhythms from around the world, every week.
Vicky Hadland from the Natural Voice Practitioner Network who leads the choir said:
"Singing is so good for us - body, mind and spirit. The most important part of my teaching is encouraging people to sing together and join their voices in fabulous harmony. It is the most wonderful thing to watch someone grow in confidence with their singing, connecting with others, and really having fun."
For some of the regulars, the choir has simply changed their lives:
Attendee Jean Saunders, said:
"It is something completely different to any other singing activity that I have experienced before. Vicky's enthusiasm is infectious and enables everyone to take part in their own way. Newcomers are able to take part on their first visit because we learn new things each week. It is encouraging to meet more new people and thoroughly enjoy a Monday afternoon.
Jacqui Bamford, Member of the Link 2 Project Team, facilitates the choir and supports anyone who may feel a little anxious about attending. She said:
"We have many groups that we run for older people in Exeter and the singing group is just one of them. The groups are aimed at older people who for different reasons want to extend their social network and learn new skills. Very simply it is giving people a reason to get out of the house and hopefully an opportunity to meet new friends. For many their confidence may have hit rock bottom and so attending a group like this one is an achievement for them."
The community choir has been running for five months and feedback from the group has been very positive. Some have said that it is the highlight of their week; others say it is great fun; and even people who have never sung in a group before have really enjoyed the experience.
For some also, attending the choir has made a real different to their quality of life. One lady described now feeling less alone, and that she has made new friends through the choir.
Devon County Council's Champion for Older People, Cllr Eileen Wragg, said:
"Having been a member of choirs in the past, I can vouch for the fact that the Choir is a great way for people to come together. Its fun and its a great feeling to sing as part of a group, even for those who do not consider themselves to have vocal talents. More importantly its an interest that is encouraging people out to meet other people in their community. Its a real tonic and can make such a difference to someone's week to have these get togethers to look forward to, and I can thoroughly recommend it.
For more information about the choir, contact Jacqui Bamford on 01392 202092.
The size of the group is growing so much that Age Concern Exeter is looking for larger premises. They ask anyone with premises large enough to accommodate over 40 people to contact Jacqui Bamford on 01392 202092.