Platform 51

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Categories: general, health, regional news: Midlands
Thursday, 28 July 2011
Song birds of Nottingham

Women's choir sings for health

A women's community choir, Song birds, run by Platform 51 Nottingham gave a rousing performance to show off their new singing talents last week. A 100-strong audience heard the choir perform in a gallery at international arts venue the Nottingham Contemporary.

Get out, get active, get vocal

Funded by Nottingham City Council's sustainable communities fund, the choir was set up to help women from a range of ages and backgrounds - including those with mental health problems, learning disabilities, violent homes - get out, get active, get confident and get vocal.

Ten women took part on the day drawn from 16 women who made up the choir. "Singing with this choir has really boosted my confidence and has helped me start to conquer my anxiety," said one woman.

Nottingham City Transport generously provided bus passes so that the women taking part (some of who are homeless or unemployed) could easily get across town and take part.  "It's great to know that by providing our services free-of-charge, we've played a small part in a project that makes a big difference to the health and wellbeing of women in our local area" said Anthony Carver-Smith, Marketing Manager at Nottingham City Transport.

Seen and heard

Tracy Radford, Platform 51 Nottingham's manager, said: "Many of these women struggle with a lot of problems in their lives. Some came with their support workers to help them. Joining together to create something beautiful makes them feel so much better about themselves. They can be seen and heard at last!"

This choir member would agree: "Singing with this choir has been such a boost and clears my head. It has helped me find my voice again. This kind of initiative is so important for raising the spirits and giving a sense of wellbeing."

A breath of fresh air

Another women said: "Singing with this choir has been like a breath of fresh air. After years of battling with mental health problems and drugs and alcohol addiction, I have been in some horrible dark places. Every week this group has been friendly, supportive and positive which has brushed off in other areas of my life. Thank you. I hope we will be able to continue what we've started as it has been such a happy experience."

The benefits of the choir are clear to see - and hear! This initial project cost just £1,000 to run for 10 weeks. We are currently looking for more funds so we can continue to help women find their voice and feel better through song. Can you help?

Watch the Song birds' rendition of Down in the River to Pray on YouTube.