Singing Together
Online singing sessions with residents to help improve mood and wellbeing.Benefits of singing and music
Singing has been shown to offer social, personal and mood benefits for adults, and a lot of evidence highlights the benefits specifically for older people. For people with dementia, singing activities can reduce symptoms of depression and behavioural issues. Singing in a group encourages social bonding, group identity and inclusion across cultural groups. Music also improves mental wellbeing and has been associated with reduced anxiety in young adults and reduced risk of depression in older people. It can support bonding between mothers and infants and plays a part in language development. Music and singing may also improve quality of life and coping for people living with health conditions.
Location
Citywide
Project team
Buzz
Martin Purdy
Aim
To deliver engaging & fun online singing lessons to residents.
Testimonies
“Hi…. did you sing along with us? It was lovely on a day like today, I enjoyed it and I didn’t have a coughing fit! Look forward to next session.
“That was brilliant. Thank you. When is the next singing session and do you run groups?”
Evaluation
The project was a success and the sessions attracted over 200 views from residents across Manchester. The sessions also received some excellent feedback from those who joined in the fun. The project was delivered to all residents using social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. From the project it is hoped that new singing groups will emerge across the city.
Strategic links to local/national policies
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Benefit |
Policy |
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Increased mental wellbeing |
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Social and wellbeing benefits for older people |
Taking Charge of our Health and Social Care in Greater Manchester (GMCA, 2015) |
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Increased social cohesion |
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Good start in life for children |
Taking Charge of our Health and Social Care in Greater Manchester (GMCA, 2015) |
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Encourages social connection and inclusion |
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Helps with coping for people with health conditions |
Research/evidence base
WHO Regional Office for Europe (2019) What is the evidence on the role of the arts in improving health and well-being? A scoping review
Van der Stein et al (2018) Music‐based therapeutic interventions for people with dementia, Cochrane Systematic Review
Daykin et al (2017) What works for wellbeing? A systematic review of wellbeing outcomes for music and singing in adults. Perspectives in Public Health, 138 (1), pp. 39-46
What Works for Wellbeing (2016) Review of the Grey Literature: Music, Singing and Wellbeing
A Choir In Every Care Home (2016) A Review Of Research On The Value Of Singing For Older People
Contact
Phil Tomlinson - buzz Age Friendly Neighbourhood Health Worker
T: 07557677969
If you found this page helpful, maybe someone else will too?
“By attending buzz's PARS exercise classes, it encouraged me to join a walking group, a gym and a gardening class at Whitworth Art Gallery.”
Local Manchester City Centre resident attending PARS exercise classes