improving quality
of life AND WELLBEING
by all singing
together

The award-winning ‘Singing 4 Breathing’ group was set up in 2015 by James Wyatt, an Occupational Therapist, who was studying the benefits of singing for people with respiratory conditions.

James started the first group in Northampton and the number of singers has now risen to about 65 people who attend the weekly sessions. Groups in Corby and Wellingborough soon followed and now the Singing 4 Breathing group has about 150 members.

Research evidence has proven that singing can benefit people with COPD by working the diaphragmatic muscles and therefore helping to improve lung function.

Singing is also a fun way to practice deep breathing and a great way for people to come together to share their experience and gain support.

Soon after starting, James teamed up with Chris Startup a local musician who facilitates the group. Chris has a lot of experience, having been trained by the British Lung Foundation and he incorporates breathing exercises and singing into each session. In August 2017, Singing 4 Breathing expanded again, and we now also offer the only harmonica class in the UK designed especially for people with respiratory conditions.

“The teacher has taught us how to breathe when singing. It makes you feel so happy and joyful. I never knew I could sing a tune. It’s so amazing when you think you can’t speak because you have COPD, and yet you can sing.”
Maria SelbySinging 4 Breathing participant
“An inspiration to us all, I hope it will encourage more people with breathing problems to come and join us. What a privilege it is for me to sing with all these lovely people with COPD”
CarolynSinging 4 Breathing participant
“Singing for breathing has not only allowed me to be part of an amazing inspiring group but has encouraged me to achieve another positive step to living with COPD. To be able to use breathing with slightly different techniques and to be able to sing is really encouraging"
BarbaraSinging 4 Breathing participant

MEET THE TEAM

James Wyatt

Occupational Therapist,
director and founder of
Singing 4 Breathing

Chris Startup

Multi-instrumentalist,
songwriter, performer
& group leader

JESS

Professional musician,
choir leader and classically
trained singer

Louise SmitH

Media

Pat Harding

Occupational Therapist and Project Co-ordinator

Singing 4 Breathing for breathing is reliant on the many amazing volunteers who give up their time and enthusiasm to help make this happen. If you would like to volunteer for Singing 4 Breathing please get in touch, your help is very much appreciated.

VOLUNTEER

MEET THE SINGING 4 BREATHING CHOIR

The Singing 4 Breathing choir has gone from strength to strength in an incredibly short time, performing live across the county in numerous venues form theaters such as the Royal & Derngate in Northampton to shopping centers and even recording for the NHS. The choir features COPD sufferers who originally joined a Singing 4 Breathing class to help make a difference to their condition. The choir is truly an inspiration and testament to the benefits and powers of singing for people suffering with lung conditions.

Meet, chat and sing…it’s good for you!

SINGING 4 BREATHING CLASSES
HARMONICA 4 BREATHING CLASSES

Get in touch

For further information or any questions you may have about our classes or about getting involved with Singing 4 Breathing, please call Pat on 07434 989146‬. Or click below to email us.

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Singing 4 Breathing 2019

For all enquiries please call 07434 989146 or email: pat.h@singing4breathing.co.uk

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