It is widely recognised that in the UK we live in a society where the number of older people is increasing, and with family support networks often stretched across the country, if not the world, more and more older people face the challenge of combatting isolation and loneliness.

Services For Education created Community Choirs, supporting older people across Birmingham at risk of isolation, allowing them to make new friends, build confidence and a sense of self-worth worth whilst enhancing their physical and mental welfare through singing.

Community Choirs has been heavily impacted by the national pandemic due to the governments recommended social distancing measures and has resulted in choirs closing due to no face-to-face contact being allowed.

We now ask for your support with the UK now on the road to recovery as Services For Education seeks to relaunch our Community Choirs programme with face-to-face sessions and the setting up of two new choirs at residential settings for older people in Birmingham.

Re-entering the world post-lockdown could be daunting therefore, a sense of normality and structure is important for life balance and wellbeing which, can be found by returning to their original weekly Community Choir, reducing the likelihood of anxiety or stress.

"Singing makes me feel grounded, happy and energised - the community choir is an amazing opportunity for personal development in an environment which is diverse, supportive and fun!" (Choir member, 2020)

We now ask if you will help us help our community by supporting the re-launch of our Community Choirs to:

- Alleviate loneliness and isolation

- Offer a forum for older people to learn new musical skills

- Offer performance opportunities, to feel part of a community and gain self-worth

- Enhance physical and mental wellbeing through singing

Activities will engage approximately 60 older people in weekly term-time rehearsals culminating in a series of performance opportunities for all to enjoy.