National Health
Supporters Choir
NHSC is an inclusive non-audition choir made up of NHS staff and supporters.
​
One of our aims is to promote positivity and wellbeing through singing and performing together.
​
The benefits of group singing for mental and physical wellbeing have been widely researched and recognised, and the choir also offers a supportive community to its members, with social events throughout the year.
​
NHSC normally rehearses once a month with choir director Jenny Deacon,
and these rehearsals are always open to new members.
​
Following covid restrictions, Jenny has also been hosting weekly livestreamed rehearsals via YouTube, and also providing video resources to keep us singing together. We hope this will keep people connected, so that none of our members feel isolated.
​
National Health Supporters Choir
NHSC is an inclusive community choir, and in addition to our activism we aim to promote positivity and wellbeing through singing and performing together.
​
We have now resumed face to face rehearsals, but there is still an online option available for those who are unable to attend rehearsals in London. We are still singing together and helping each other through these difficult times. Our Choir Director, Jenny Deacon, has been hosting weekly rehearsals via livestream throughout, and also providing rehearsal videos to keep us connected and sharing our love of singing.
​
"singing in a choir is beneficial in a number of different ways...group singing not only helps forge social bonds, it also does so particularly quickly, acting as an excellent icebreaker...community singing is effective for bonding large groups, making it an ideal behaviour to improve our broader social networks." READ FULL ARTICLE
Jacques Launay, Postdoctoral Researcher in Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford
"Community singing 'improves mental health and helps recovery'." READ FULL ARTICLE
Philippa Roxby, BBC
​
"It’s not just a physical workout, your brain is involved, too. Concentration improves, because you have to focus on what you’re singing and pay attention to instructions. And on the social and emotional side, singing reduces stress and anxiety as well as easing depression. There’s also a ‘performance high’ from the pleasure of being part of a performance." READ FULL ARTICLE
Adrienne Wyper, SAGA
"The study provides evidence to support more investment by local authorities and the NHS in community music and singing provision to promote wellbeing and health." READ FULL REPORT
Clift S, Hancox G, Hess B, Kreutz G, Morrison I, Stewart D
​