Non-profit plans more “Sing for Life” choral groups

By Madeleine Brindley

CARDIFF, UK — Welsh cancer charity Tenovus is planning to
create a further 15 Sing for Life choirs throughout Wales.

The first choir was set up in January 2010 as a research project
to measure the health and psycho-social benefits of singing for
cancer patients and their families.

The charity now hopes to set up the new choirs over the course
of the next four years in a bid to support and inspire thousands of
people affected by cancer.

Dr Ian Lewis, head of research for Tenovus, said: “The idea for
the choir came from a chance meeting with a professional choral
company called Sing and Inspire, which establishes workplace choirs
for team building and motivational purposes.

“We wondered if the same techniques could help provide a support
group for people who have been affected by cancer.”

A team from Cardiff University assessed the benefits of the
original Sing for Life choir and found the original 30 members had
improved social function and mental health within three months.

Dr Lewis added: “There were also observed reductions in anxiety
and depression among the choristers in the study.

“However, even more powerful than the research has been watching
how the members of the choir blossomed as individuals and how the
group came together to become more than just a choir but actually
more like a family.”