Sing For Your Life is a registered charity established to alleviate suffering and sustain and improve quality of life for older people and their carers through the use of music. Our projects are designed to support independent living for older people. A significant body of research shows that participation in social music making has significant benefits. These include changes in blood chemicals, reduced depression and social isolation, raised self esteem and quality of life. Participation in meaningful activities has been identified as a key factor in successful ageing and for mitigating the effects of age related mental health disorders.

The project supports independent living and improves the quality of life of older people and their carers. Strategic priorities that this or other similar projects could contribute to include:

• promoting lifelong learning, training and skills development
• improving health and well being
• strengthening communities and involving people

A network of over 30 ‘Silver Song Clubs’ and ‘Singing for the Brain’ activities has been established across the South East region. We also run an adapted model in a secure mental unit dedicated to older peoples’ mental health. ‘Silver Song Clubs’ meet on a monthly basis, ‘Singing for the Brain’ meet on a weekly basis for 2/3 terms each year.

Our network of clubs allows us to positively impact on the lives of over 1,000 older people and their carers each month. Activities are coordinated by 4 area coordinators, led by trained facilitators and supported by over 500 volunteers, mainly drawn from local amateur music groups.

Independent evaluation has shown that activities have a positive impact on participants’ well-being and quality of life. Participants have recorded enhanced mood states, high levels of anticipation and reminiscence, reduced depression and creation of new social networks and opportunities for meaningful activity.

The annual cost of a Silver Song Club is £5000. This includes all resources, costs, management and expenses. Venues and refreshments are often given as an in-kind contribution. Volunteer contribution is worth around £1,500 per club per year.

We work with a number of organisations including:

• The Sidney De Haan Research Centre for Arts and Health
• Age Concern
• Alzheimer’s Society
• South East Arts and Health Partnership
• East Kent Coastal and Teaching Primary Care Trust
• Southampton City Primary Care Trust
• Kent County Council Adult Services
• Thornhill New Deal for Communities (Thornhill Plus You)

Key barriers encountered were identifying and targeting isolated older people to get involved in the activities. This was overcome by working closely with local stakeholders and service providers. Another key issue has been sourcing sustainable funding to ensure that all activities continue. However, we have never ended an activity due to lack of funding.

We constantly seek to improve and refine our activities. In addition to external evaluation we consult service users, volunteers and stakeholders on a regular basis to ensure that the model meets the needs of individual participants. Best practice is collected from across the network and disseminated through formal and informal training and development opportunities.