rb&hArts runs an innovative hospital arts programme at Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust, the UK’s largest specialist tertiary heart and lung treatment centre. It is is designed to improve the wellbeing of patients, visitors and the local communities surrounding each hospital – through the provision of visual art, performance and participatory arts opportunities.

For over 8 years we have run two weekly singing groups at Royal Brompton and Harefield hospitals for people living with breathlessness. The workshop activities have been designed specifically to support people with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), an incurable lung condition which makes breathing difficult. It is most prevalent in people aged 60+, and typical symptoms include breathlessness, coughing and frequent chest infections. It can also affect levels of anxiety and depression, leading to inactivity, isolation and dependence. Although there is no cure, the condition can be better managed through singing. As singing requires deep concentration on breathing, it works major muscle groups in the upper body and provides a great workout for both lung and cardiovascular health.

Participants tell us

‘My breathing seems to be much improved. I can now walk up a hill and not get too breathless and daily feel an improvement. The singing also makes me feel better in myself’

‘I feel optimistic that I can improve breathing and life-quality’

Please donate what you can and support more people living with breathlessness. Thank you!