Silver Song Clubs Singing on prescription Matthew Raisbeck -Programme Manager Meeting Older People's Social and Emotional Aspirations 1 st July 2010
Dec 23, 2015
Silver Song ClubsSinging on prescription
Matthew Raisbeck -Programme Manager
Meeting Older People's Social and Emotional Aspirations
1st July 2010
Sing For Your Life
• Registered charity founded in 2005
• Grew out of work carried out by Sidney De Haan Research Centre
• Growing interest in the potential for the arts to contribute to health and wellbeing
• Move from ‘Illness’ to ‘Health’
‘With ageing, art is like chocolate for the brain’Gene Cohen - Director Centre for Ageing, Health and Humanities, Washington DC
At present we….
• Operate over 40 Silver Song Clubs
• Hold the ‘V’ award for volunteering excellence
• UK example of best practice for EU healthPROelderly project
• Special commendation from the Royal Society for Public Health Arts and Health Awards
What is a Silver Song Club?
• Regular session of participatory singing and music making
• Research driven and professionally delivered
• Monitored and evaluated to achieve pre-determined outcomes
• A front line Non-Pharmacological Intervention (NPI) as advocated by the BMA
My Bonnie
My Bonnie lies over the oceanMy Bonnie lies over the sea
My Bonnie lies over the oceanOh bring back my bonnie to me
Bring back, bring backOh bring back my bonnie to me, to me
Bring back, bring backOh bring back my bonnie to me
Cockles and Mussels
In Dublin’s fair city, where girls are so pretty
I first set my eyes on sweet Molly Malone
As she wheeled her wheelbarrow
Through streets broad and narrow
Crying ‘cockles and mussels, alive, alive-o!’
Alive, alive-o! Alive, alive-o!
Crying ‘cockles and mussels, alive, alive-o!’
Why sing?
• Raises Oxytocin, associated with social bonding and the formation of new memory
• Reduces ‘Cortisol’, the stress hormone• Increases Melatonin, a deficiency of
which is associated with seasonal affective disorder
• Raises levels of Immunoglobulin A, which helps to protect against infection
Why Not Sing?
• Improves overall rating of physical health
• Fewer doctor visits
• Less medication use
• Fewer instances of falls
• Increased morale
• Less loneliness
Why doesn’t everyone sing?
• Not perceived as treatment or intervention
• Promotes social inclusion
• Benefits for carers including re-establishing relationships between carers and cared for
• Increased staff morale
My Hat
My Hat it has three corners
Three corners has my hat
And had it not three corners
It would not be my hat
Quodlibet
1Oh when the saints ….
2Swing low, sweet chariot …
3Oh you take the high road …
Contact usSing For Your Life
Shepway Business CentreShearway Business Park
FolkestoneKent
CT19 4RH
01303 298549
www.singforyourlife.org.uk