Notice: Guildford In Harmony – Singing For Charity and Wellbeing

Published on: 2 Sep, 2018
Updated on: 2 Sep, 2018

Less than a decade ago, choirs were synonymous with Sunday morning hymns. Now, it is estimated that 2.8 million people are part of a choir in Great Britain. So why are so many people beginning to get involved?

Recent studies show that singing, especially in a group setting, can be highly beneficial to mental wellbeing. It helps reduce stress and build confidence. It also gives people who are isolated a reason to socialise, meet others, and gain a sense of belonging.

Building on its success in 2017, Guildford in Harmony is a charity concert bringing together local choirs for an evening of uplifting music, whilst raising money for Surrey’s Oakleaf Enterprise.

Oakleaf is a mental health charity, working to provide its clients with vocational training and social activities to help them boost wellbeing and confidence, which for some leads to mainstream employment.

With World Mental Health day around the corner on Wednesday, October 10, it’s important to remember to look after mental health as much as physical health – and one way to do this is by joining a choir.

Oakleaf’s CEO Clive Stone is a strong advocate of choir singing and is even part of one of the choirs performing in the concert. “Singing has been one of the best things I have done for my own mental health,” he says “and it is great to see others reap this benefit. I just wish I had started many years ago.”

The concert will take place at Guildford Baptist Church in Millmead at 7pm on Saturday, November 24. Choirs performing in the concert include Guildford Vox, Guildford Jazz Choir, Oakleaf’s Everyman Choir, and Guildford County School’s Chamber Choir.

The concert starts at 7pm and tickets are £10 (£5 for those under 16). To boo,k please contact Katy Munson at Oakleaf on 01483 303649 or email katymunson@oakleaf-enterprise.org.