Formed in 2022, the Singing for Lung Health initiative, is proving that singing isn’t just for entertainment, it’s a powerful tool for health and wellbeing.
Supporting patients suffering from chronic respiratory conditions and offering group sessions at St Johns Church in Ben Rhydding, The Wharfedale, Airedale and Craven Alliance (WACA) backed group, is proving very popular with patients.
Sophie Wallace, who co-leads the group and works as a local respiratory nurse in Burley-in-Wharfedale, recognised the importance of teaching people to breathe correctly:
“The six-week programme helps people to strengthen their muscles and manage their breathlessness. A key element is enabling people to relax through breathing exercises and guided meditation whilst singing and having fun. The programme follows a set, finely timed format, which works well and each week is different. Things can float and everyone is given time. Items are often repeated as the whole point is it has to become a habit.”
Inspiration to create the group came from a project in Oldham called ‘Bronchial Boogie’ in which children with asthma were taught how to play brass instruments to improve their respiratory health and self-esteem.
Musical co-lead for the group, Keely Hodgson explained: “Gentle physical warm-ups and being mindful of your body is very important, as it helps you focus on the mechanics of breathing. Singing in a group raises emotions and connects you to one another, it can be quite moving and builds trust. You don’t need to be able to sing either!”
For members like 83-year-old Susan Winter from Ilkley, the group has been brilliant: “This course has helped me so much. The information on how to breathe the correct way and how to use the whole area of my lungs was very informative. My health has improved and the singing was a special addition.”
Bradford District and Craven Health and Care Partnership, which helps deliver primary care services, currently supports over 250 community projects that help to address health inequalities at a grassroots level, covering a diverse range of needs.
Helen Farmer, Director of System Transformation at Bradford District and Craven Health and Care Partnership said: “The Singing for Lung Health Support Group is a heartwarming example of how community initiatives can harmonise wellness and human connection to create lasting impacts on individual and collective health. It also helps people stay healthy and reduce pressure and demand on primary care appointments by delivering effective care within a community setting.”
Sessions run twice a year, in October and January, when people are at their most vulnerable with respiratory disease and referrals are made into the service by the practices in the WACA network.
As interest in the group grows, plans are forming around starting a maintenance group, run once a month for past members who want to check in and be refreshed on techniques and wellbeing.