Singing bird by banksy

Did you know that singing can help those with respiratory conditions?

This in from IW NHS, in their own words, Ed


A new programme providing weekly singing sessions, tailored specifically for those experiencing breathlessness due to COPD – Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and other respiratory conditions will be running for the next eight months funded by the Isle of Wight Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) as part of the My Life a Full Life programme.

Where and when
Sessions are taking place weekly at the Respiratory Gym at St. Mary’s Hospital from November 2014 until June 2015 and persons can be referred onto the programme either by the Respiratory Team at St. Mary’s, the Asthma & Allergy Centre or through Breathe Easy IW/British Lu7ng Foundation (BLF) Active.

Participants can attend for a rolling programme of 12 weeks specifically aimed to meet the problems of persons with a respiratory condition as well as increasing participant’s confidence to self-manage their condition and develop greater independence.

Experienced leader
The project is being delivered by Sandy Kealty a natural voice practitioner who is experienced in developing singing sessions for persons with no previous singing experience themselves or unsure whether their singing voice would be appreciated or whether they would benefit from the sessions.

The answer is a definite ‘Give it a Go!’

Independent Arts
The programme is being delivered by Independent Arts and their SingAbout programme in partnership with the Respiratory Department and Healing Arts at the Isle of Wight NHS Trust and the charity Breathe Easy – Isle of Wight.

A DVD is also available of the programme for those persons unable to attend to use at home and further advice on other singing programmes and groups to attend once persons have completed the 12 week rolling programme.

For enquiries about enrolment contact Respiratory Nurse Sarah Kearney via e-mail to [email protected] or telephone 07826-908704.

Image: Eva Blue under CC BY 2.0