Sector: Care
Location: Wakefield
Participants: 12
Workshop type: Six month programme
We ran a three week pilot to measure the impact of singing on staff. The impact was so great that we are now running a six month programme for staff members, focusing on bringing the team together, as they spend a lot of time working alone, trying something new and creative and growing in confidence. We learn a variety of songs in 2 part harmony and each session incorporates a varied warm up.
Many of the participants had never sung before and were not confident. As part of the ongoing programme some sessions are quiet due to leave or work commitments meaning that everyone feels quite exposed vocally. I needed to help people overcome nerves quickly and the fun warm ups helped create a safe, fun and relaxed atmosphere. The first song we learnt was an easy 2 part version of a well known song so a quick boost to confidence.
On quiet weeks we adapt the session to combat nerves. Teamwork and fun are as much a part of our sessions as the music. Each week starts with a different set of warm ups to relax the singers, regain trust and create a fun atmosphere. We then work on a song in 2 part harmony with each of the two parts taking turns to sing melody or harmony. Connection over perfection is important here.
Confidence has grown with people using words like “uplifted” and “energised” to describe their mood post session. Christmas was the perfect opportunity to create a performance, although filmed, not live. We built up a programme of seven songs, some with harmonies, which we then performed to create a video to share and celebrate progress. The team were thrilled with the video.
