We were very pleased to receive funding recently from the Quartet Community Foundation earlier this year through their Express Grants scheme, which funded the Bath Aphasia Choir for the summer term and our concert in July. This made a real difference to our members and our charity Voices of Aphasia.
We continue to connect and support people with aphasia and their carers, especially for those who might not be able to access other singing groups and choirs. Although the choir started 6 years ago under a different charity, some original members are still attending regularly alongside the newer members. We continued to grow our numbers as the secure funding meant the security in continuing the choir, providing the members with a regular means to stay in touch and hear everyone’s news.
At the choir, we can raise our mood through making music together, by singing upbeat and enjoyable songs, and sharing lyrics created by the choir members about their experiences of stroke and aphasia. The choir supports strengthening voice and respiratory health for people with aphasia through targeted warm up exercises and the general benefits of singing. We have had carers who have remained or returned to our choir as volunteers after their loved ones have passed away. The choir continues to provide opportunities to meet new friends, to socialise with others with shared experience, fostering a community of care.
By supporting the summer term, the funding allowed our choir to host the summer concert, attended by not only our current members and their family and friends, but also spouses and families of previous choir members who have passed away. It was a great gathering of old and new faces, all in celebration of the choir’s growth and pride, in the continuation of this kind and welcoming community.
We also had a performance at the Royal United Hospital, where the staff commented how it lifted the mood of patients and staff at the hospital, and allowed people who recently had a stroke to see a group of stroke survivors performing.
Since we have established Voices of Aphasia as a new local charity, we continue to make national and international links with other stroke and aphasia charities and organisations, sharing our expertise and resources. This also provides opportunity for people with aphasia and their carers to volunteer as trustees and steer the development of our new charity. We also provided volunteering opportunities for a Speech and Language Therapy student back home for summer holidays to gain experience and confidence and build links with the Norwich aphasia choir.
As the Quartet funding meant that we could continue to deliver the choir and establish our new charity, 5 of our supporters were inspired to run the Bath Half 2024, raising £2,500 for Voices of Aphasia.
Choir members say…
We have received various quotes from members about the importance of choir to them.
Joining the aphasia choir is the best decision I have made.
I like it with the choir, with my friends, it raises my confidence!
Thanks to the Aphasia Choir I am not alone. Because singing join us together, makes us strong and hopeful.
The choir improved my [late] husband’s mental health, gave him hope and pleasure.
