On Thursday 12th March 2020 we took the difficult decision to postpone Durham Big Sing until May 2021. You can read full details here: https://www.thesingingelf.co.uk/durhambigsing/

We are really grateful for all the donations we have received through our crowdfunding campaign. Even though Durham Big Sing has been postponed until 2021, this money will still go towards our continued mission to make singing accessible for all. The Singing Elf Social Enterprise strives to include everyone by placing accessibility at the heart of everything we do. We welcome your donations to help us ensure that all future events, including Durham Big Sing 2021, strive to include everyone.

Durham Big Sing celebrates community singing in its widest form, bringing together over 2,000 singers from throughout the North East & beyond. The festival will take place in venues across Durham in May 2021.

Durham Big Sing strives to include everyone by placing accessibility at the heart of the festival.

Our ethos of meaningful inclusion aims to address the many barriers of taking part such as physical, mental & emotional health, social isolation and finance. We know from those expressing interest or already taking part in our events, that approximately 70 % of our singers will be aged 50+, 25% aged 65+ and 40% have ongoing physical, mental or emotion health issues, long term condition or disability. 30% have asked to be provided with detailed information in order to help them plan or ease anxiety. 40% have said they can only stand for short periods and/or have limited mobility.

Your donations will help to:

• Keep ticket prices as low as possible

• Offer bursaries to choirs taking part

• Train our volunteers to be accessibility champions

• Assist those with limited mobility to access the venues & provide outdoor seating for those only able to stand for short periods

• Ensure the festival is dementia friendly

• Provide extra resources such as large print lyrics

• Provide extra support to those living with anxiety

• Provide a quiet room for those requiring a rest area or experience sensory overload

You can find out full details & express your interest in the festival via:

Our website: https://www.thesingingelf.co.uk/durhambigsing

And on Facebook via https://www.facebook.com/TheSingingElf/

If you would like to make a substantial donation or wish to talk to us about sponsorship opportunities, please get in touch via durhambigsing@thesingingelf.co.uk

Durham Big Sing is organised by The Singing Elf Social Enterprise, led by Director - Rebecca McGarvie. We are not currently receiving any core funding as an organisation and don't yet have any funding in place for the festival in 2021.