Could singing be good for your health?
Meet the new Sing-to-Health group coming to New Park
What if doing something as simple as singing could help you feel more connected, lift your mood and support your wellbeing?
You don't need to be a great singer. You don't even need to think you can sing!
This October, New Park Centre is welcoming a new Sing to Health group led by Ruth Routledge, offering people in Chichester the chance to come together every Friday morning for singing, connection and a little bit of wellbeing time.
It's not a choir and that's the point, ‘Sing to Health’ is about the experience of singing together rather than performance. Sessions combine singing with gentle vocal and body work, breathing and connection. Ruth's approach is inclusive and non-judgemental, with everyone's voice welcome. Her work draws on more than 20 years' experience across community, health and education settings.
So, if you are thinking “I'm not a singer”, don't let that put you off. There is no audition, just come along and join in.
There is growing evidence behind singing for wellbeing
Singing together is increasingly being explored by researchers as a way of supporting wellbeing and social connection. A recent systematic review of 50 studies found predominantly positive evidence for social wellbeing in group singing, although researchers also stress that the quality and design of studies varies and more research is needed.
There is also particular interest in singing for people affected by dementia. The Alzheimer's Society's Singing for the Brain programme reports benefits including increased opportunities for meaningful connection, peer support, wellbeing, mood and memory-related experiences. That makes the new Chichester group particularly interesting because it is deliberately dementia friendly.
A group you can come to together
One of the lovely things about the group is that you don't have to come alone. A person living with dementia could come with their partner or carer. Someone who feels isolated could come along and meet new people. And anyone who simply wants to enjoy an hour of singing and connection is welcome.
Ruth's previous Chichester singing-for-health project in 2025 explored the effects of weekly group singing on blood pressure, wellbeing and loneliness. Her evaluation reported a reduction in participants' loneliness scores alongside improvements in average blood pressure and wellbeing.
Talking about the group Ruth said: "Lots of people say to me “I can’t sing” or tell me their stories about being unkindly told that they can’t sing or excluded from a school choir, which is so painful and untrue. Our voices are closely connected to our identities and I want to support people to reclaim their voices; to grow in confidence and knowledge in how to use their voices; and experience the joy of singing together without worrying about how it sounds."
Why New Park?
For more than 50 years, New Park Centre has brought people together. It offers over 100 activities that help the community learn, move, create, connect, celebrate and support their wellbeing. Sing to Health therefore feels like a natural addition.
As Centre Manager Allison McDonald-Hughes explains:
“New Park is a community centre in every sense of the word. We want people to feel welcome, connected and able to take part, and Sing to Health brings all those things together. We are particularly pleased that the sessions are dementia-friendly, creating an opportunity for people to attend alongside someone they care for and enjoy an activity together.”
Come and give it a try
The first session is on Friday 2 October.
-
11am – Tea/coffee
-
11.30am–12.30pm – Singing
-
Old Dojo, New Park Centre, Chichester
-
Free – donations welcome
-
No singing experience required
-
Bring your song requests, bring a friend, and bring yourself.
Contact Ruth to book:
ruth@singtohealth.com
07946 900543
Find out more about Sing to Health
