Sing and Breathe Wiltshire is our singing for lung health programme, incorporating introductory courses, a weekly singing for lung health ‘maintenance’ group (the Salisbury Breathless Singers) and our Sing and Breathe Academy for families and children with childhood asthma.
Sing and Breathe Wiltshire was shortlisted for ‘Best Local Social Prescribing Project’ at the National Social Prescribing Awards 2022 and the Salisbury Breathless Singers were shortlisted for Community Group of the Year at the Wiltshire Life Awards 2024.
What is singing for lung health?
Singing for lung health promotes self-management of breathlessness through group singing, breathing exercises, gentle movement and relaxation. It supports people to connect their body, voice and breath and improve quality of life. Hear more from Programme Director Liv McLennan and participants from one of our many courses here
Singing for lung health in Wiltshire
The Salisbury Breathless Singers were established in 2017, after Co-Director Liv McLennan received singing for lung health training from the British Lung Foundation (now Asthma + Lung UK). We have been delivering short introductory courses since 2018 and have had our work externally evaluated. The evaluation report found our approach can have a positive effect on people’s perception of their breathlessness, offer tools for self-management and increases quality of life through social and peer support. Read the full and summary reports below.
The Salisbury Breathless Singers
The Salisbury Breathless Singers meet weekly on Tuesdays 2:30-3:30pm during term time at Castle Meadow Pavilion in Wilton, Salisbury. They are led by Wiltshire-based singing for health practitioner Frankie Simpkins. Anyone with breathlessness or a lung condition is welcome to join the group, and no prior experience of singing is required. Although the primary focus is breath management through singing, they occasionally perform at local charity events. Performances are entirely optional for members, and there is no expectation to participate in them. For more information and to book a place, email us on sing.breathe@soundsbettercic.org
Sing and Breathe Courses
Our courses were established in 2018 as 3-week introductions, and have now expanded to 6 live sessions plus additional written and video content. We currently deliver them in the Bemerton Heath area of Salisbury, offering a hybrid option of in-person or online attendance.
The next course is Wednesdays 10:30am-12pm, 6th November – 11th December at the Bemerton Heath Centre. For more information and to book your place, please click here
Sing and Breathe Academy
We were delighted to have piloted a project for families living with childhood asthma with two Salisbury schools in 2021-22. This project was made possible with funding from Healthwatch Wiltshire, Wiltshire Music Connect and the Ragdoll Foundation. The the evaluation report can be accessed below. If you would like to commission a childhood asthma project in your school, then please contact us.
Mere Harmony for Health
Our newest regular singing for lung health group, Harmony for Health began in April 2024. Led by community artist and musician, Paula Fleming, they meet weekly at Mere Lecture Hall on Thursdays 11am-12pm.
Sessions are designed to support breath management through singing and other creative musical activities, as well as link up local people living with breathlessness and lung conditions.
Contact us on sing.breathe@soundsbettercic.org to let us know you are planning to attend, or ring Paula directly on 07887 863996 for more information.
Love Your Lungs Events
Our first Love Your Lungs event took place in Wilton in April 2024. It showcased singing for lung health as well as providing a ‘one stop shop’ for local and national information.
The next event is at the Bemerton Heath Centre, Salisbury on October 10th, 2:30-4:30pm. There will be talks from professionals, a singing for lung health demonstration, as well as refreshments and time to connect with others.
All welcome – just turn up on the day! If you would like more information, then please feel free to email us on sing.breathe@soundsbettercic.org.
Our partners
We are joined by Parish Nurse, Rose Maylin on our introductory courses and Sing and Breathe Academy. Rose has great expertise in respiratory conditions and can offer holistic nursing support during and between sessions.
Is it for me?
We work with people with lung conditions, breathlessness (including through long covid), adapting the techniques to individuals in the group. You do not need any experience of singing or to be able to read music – we will guide you through everything at a pace that suits you. Come along and give us a try!
Read the evaluation reports
Our Projects
We work in London and the South with people with long term health conditions, people with learning disabilities and intergenerationally. Find out more about our past and current projects here.
Training
We are all community music practitioners alongside running Sounds Better CIC, so understand the training needs, the challenges, and the techniques that are most effective in the room better than anyone.
Volunteer
Depending on the role, we can offer training in facilitation, experience in working with people with long term health conditions and learning disability and a way to connect with your local community more.