We’ve been working with colleagues at Swell Music CIC, A+L UK, The Musical Breath, in the NHS (such as those based in local Pulmonary Rehabilitation services) and local Breathe Easy support groups to establish and develop a N&W SfLH Network.
Aims
The aims for the network are to:
– Increase the number of trained SfLH Practitioners in the area.
– Develop a network of SfLH Practitioners who can provide cover and support for each other and help ensure local SfLH/’Singing for Breathing’ groups can run more consistently.
– Increase the number of regular 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 are maintaining a list of trained SfLH Practitioners across Norfolk and Waveney and encouraging existing singing leaders to train.
We are offering opportunities for peer-support and learning amongst trainees, newly qualified Practitioners and those with more experience. We are doing this by encouraging trainees/newly qualified Practitioners to attend PFC’s existing groups in North and South Norfolk, to observe or be mentored, and through dedicated network meetings.
By expanding the network, we can increase support locally for Practitioners and help groups and courses run consistently across our communities, not least by ensuring cover during periods of holiday or sickness. This means we can help more people manage their health conditions and improve qualities of life plus build confidence amongst referrers that services are running.
We welcome referral partners and health professionals (or anyone interested!) at our groups! Please come and see what happens during a Singing for Breathing session. It really helps to understand the differences between SfLH/Singing for Breathing sessions and community choirs/other singing groups.
We are helping trainees acquire bursaries via A+L UK for the training and set up new groups across the region. We’ve been paying expenses towards attending 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 (i.e. by taking on some of our groups or offering opportunities to provide cover).
Thanks to recent National Lottery grants we are now in a position to plan sessions with confidence over the next few years! This is a major boost and a real step-change for the services we offer.
Tina Blaber is currently co-ordinating the N&W SfLH Network.
See our Singing for Breathing page for more details about current groups in North and South Norfolk.
Groups are also being offered in the Lowestoft area by Helen Barnes of Swell Music CIC.
Please contact us with any queries or for more info and watch this space for further developments!
Page last updated 1st August 2024 (TB).