I trained in Singing for Lung Health with the British Lung Foundation (now Asthma and Lung UK) and Phoene Cave (‘The Musical Breath’) and began my work as a Singing for Health Practitioner in 2016. That year, I also trained with Sing to Beat Parkinson’s and founded the Norfolk-based charity Playing for Cake.
I have worked as a community musician since 2016, working with a range of people of all ages and abilities to help improve their physical and/or mental health and wellbeing including people living with dementia and/or Parkinson’s and their carers, stroke survivors, people with neurological conditions and people recently bereaved.
Helping carers and the cared-for to improve their health and wellbeing – and lift their spirits – is hugely rewarding!
Breathing better can help everyone, not just those with lung conditions. I can lead group workshops or work on a one-to-one basis, which can be carried out over Zoom. For example, I am currently working with a person recovering from COVID, who is finding the breathing exercises helpful – not just for her recovery now but as a beneficial practice for everyday life, longer-term health benefits and safer singing!
Other examples of my work include using techniques taken from the Accent Method for people wanting to improve their vocal quality and range. These techniques are often used with people who have speech and communication difficulties, which can often be as a result of illness, injury or conditions such as Parkinson’s.
Please do get in touch if you’d like to know more or work with me on a new project!
