We’ve been working with colleagues at Swell Music CIC, in association with A+L UK, The Musical Breath, colleagues in the NHS (such as those based in local Pulmonary Rehabilitation services) and local Breathe Easy support groups to develop a N&W SfLH Network.
The aims for the network are to:
– Increase the number of SfLH Practitioners in the area.
– Develop a network of trained SfLH Practitioners who can provide cover and support for each other and help ensure local SfLH/’Singing for Breathing’ groups can run more consistently throughout the year.
– Increase the number of SfLH/’Singing for Breathing‘ groups offered across the region.
– Be able to help more people who experience breathlessness due to diagnosed lung conditions or other physical/mental health conditions.
Find out more about Singing for Breathing sessions and how they can help.
What’s Happening?
We have been trying to build the network by offering experienced singing tutors/community choir leaders, who are interested in becoming a SfLH Practitioners, the opportunity to shadow a qualified and experienced Singing for Breathing session leader at our existing groups. This helps people start to ‘learn on the job’ in lieu of completing official training via The Musical Breath.
The above provides opportunities for trainees to see what happens during a Singing for Breathing session, helps them understand differences between these sessions and general community singing groups, and it helps them learn techniques required to adapt existing practices where necessary. This work is encouraging new people to get started and it helps build relationships amongst Practitioners for ongoing support, cover and knowledge-sharing going forward.
We have been helping trainees acquire bursaries via A+L UK for the training and we’ve been paying some expenses towards them attending our sessions, where funds have allowed. We have fundraised to help provide some assurance that Practitioners can get paid work once they’ve committed to the training.
Thanks to a recent Awards for All grant (National Lottery) we can now plan with assurance to continue offering 2 groups in North Norfolk plus an additional 2 new groups in South Norfolk (starting this summer) though to the Spring of 2026.
This has also been made possible by one of our new recruits, Nicky Childerhouse, who is going on to complete her official training with The Musical Breath in April and is starting to make plans for setting up the new South Norfolk groups!
We now have a further 3 people interested in training and existing groups are also offered in the Lowestoft area by Helen Barnes of Swell Music CIC.
Watch this space!