WAST (Women Asylum Seekers Together) Choir

A choir of women seeking asylum, who meet weekly & sing together at various events to raise the profile of Asylum Seekers

Benefit 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

City wide

Project team

Women Asylum Seekers Together

Buzz – provided funding for choir expenses

Aim

These are some of the most isolated and stigmatized women in Manchester. Some are expected to live with no recourse to public funding. The women have found that singing together can give respite to their severe anxiety and depression. They build support between one another, and learn to tell their stories, despite judgement and ignorance.

Testimonial:

“I feel stronger when I am singing with my sisters. I am more able to face the world.”

Evaluation

The project will continue when shutdown is lifted, and the choir are able to meet together again. It is, for some, the only social contact they have, through the week. The WAST choir has performed to a growing number of audiences. It is a source of comfort and strength, and an expression of the wider membership of WAST.

Strategic links to local/national policies

Benefit	Policy
Increased mental wellbeing	Manchester Health and Wellbeing Strategy
Social and wellbeing benefits for older people	Taking Charge of our Health and Social Care in Greater Manchester (GMCA, 2015) Manchester Health and Wellbeing Strategy
Increased social cohesion	NHS Five Year Forward View (Department of Health, 2014)
Good start in life for children	Taking Charge of our Health and Social Care in Greater Manchester (GMCA, 2015) Manchester Health and Wellbeing Strategy
Encourages social connection and inclusion	Manchester Population Health Plan
Helps with coping for people with health conditions	The Manchester Prevention Programme