Singing to fight Lung Disease

A new singing group is being set up in Newry by the British Lung Foundation for anyone living with a lung condition.

The classes, which are free for the first four weeks, will take place at 11.30am on Thursday 3rd May (and for the following three weeks) at Ballybot House, 28 Cornmarket, Newry, BT35 8BG. Tel: 028 302 61022.

There is no need to register – anyone who wishes to attend can just turn up and sing.  If you would like further information before arriving, please contact Fil Campbell on 07803 226279.

Four singing groups are being set up this year by the British Lung Foundation across NI, in tandem with a similar programme across England, Scotland and Wales that now has more than 70 active groups including one already existing in Belfast. Each group leader, in addition to being a trained musician or music therapist, has been given additional training (including information on living with a lung condition) to ensure the classes are not just fun, but can make a positive difference to each singer’s lung health.

Fil Campbell who is leading the Newry singing group, said “As a folk musician and musical director of Singmarra Community Choir in Rostrevor, I’ve become increasingly interested and excited to see the ways that singing can improve our lives, physically, mentally and emotionally.

As well as the increased physical stamina and improved breathing, group singing has been proven to relieve stress and provide a fun way of making new friends.  Did you know that 10 minutes singing releases the same happy hormones as a bar of chocolate?!”

Through this group, I hope we will not just improve the lung health of local residents, but have a great time in the process.”

Mayana McDermott, British Lung Foundation’s Singing and Active Project Officer, said “There is increasing evidence that singing helps people living with lung conditions such as COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) to preserve their lung function and quality of life.,,

“Since we started the singing programme in April 2015, there has been huge amounts of interest from people living with all types of lung conditions. Similar singing groups in England and Scotland currently support over 600 people living with a lung condition through weekly singing sessions. We hope the programme will continue to go from strength to strength”.

For further information about the local group,
please contact Fil Campbell, Tel 07803 226279. Email: contact@filcampbell.com