Come and Sing project snapshot

Project title: Come and Sing (Dacorum Community Choir)

Where and when the project happened
Grovehill Community Centre, Hemel Hempstead, Saturday, May 16th 2015

Describe your project briefly
This was a free event, open to all, held on a Saturday afternoon, in a fully accessible venue. During the afternoon the group learnt a number of songs. At the end we offered complimentary tea/coffee and cakes and guests given the opportunity to talk to our members.

What were the aims of your project?
Our theme was 'singing is good for you and it's great fun'!. Our aim was to bring the joy and health and wellbeing benefits of singing with others to a wider audience, particularly to those who want to sing but believe, for whatever reason, it is not for them.

What happened as a result of your project?
On the day, we welcomed about 40 guests to an afternoon marked by fun and laughter. Using our MD's 'sing it after me' technique, in a little over two hours, participants had learnt seven songs in languages ranging from Congolese to Polish and Hebrew. The aim of the event wasn't to recruit new members, although some of those who attended have since joined the choir. Many of those we talked to said they would like to join a choir and would actively look for one that met at a more suitable time for them (we are a daytime choir).

What evidence did you produce to show your project’s impact?
We gave out a questionnaire to our guests at the end of the afternoon and received 34 back. We asked 'did you enjoy the afternoon?', 'do you think singing lifts your mood?' and 'would you like to do something like this again?' All but one of the replies gave the highest markings to the questions, with additional comments, such as 'lovely afternoon - everyone welcoming and friendly', 'fantastic', 'loved it' and 'thank you for the opportunity to experience singing in choir mode'.

What 2 tips would you offer to someone else running a similar project?
• Make the event friendly, welcoming and inclusive.
• Use a variety of media to publicise the project

Your contact details to help people find more information
Sally Davies
Email: sallydavies41@icloud.com
www.dacorumcommunitychoir.org

If you have an Arts and Health project that you would like to share through Creative Hertfordshire, please go to http://www.creativehertfordshire.com/the-art-of-wellbeing/call-for-hertfordshire-arts-and-health-projects-to-showcase/

For more information visit http://www.dacorumcommunitychoir.org/