Carrie & David Grant and the Adopt London Virtual Choir!
Adopt London adoptive parents and adoption workers have come together to join the Adopt London Virtual Choir. Singing is for everyone; it’s fun and it makes you feel good. Well-known singing coaches Carrie and David Grant tell us more about the benefits of singing together.
Adopt London is hosting this unique opportunity of a 12-week programme, learning a selection of songs. At the end of the 12 weeks, those who would like to take part, can record and receive a video as a keepsake. There’s no commitment, you can join in when you can. During the sessions, it will be a time to unite as a community, and a chance to feel uplifted and inspired by other adoptive parents and workers, who might just need some time out. Regardless of your singing ability, we will come together, build positive memories of our time in lock-down, and have a little fun!
Why have Adopt London commissioned this project?
Funding is available to Adopt London to offer different kinds of support to families and workers who may be struggling with the multiple challenges of being a parent or a worker in adoption who may need to take time out for themselves. It is an opportunity for staff and families to come together from across all 23 boroughs.
This service is free and will support and benefit many adopters, their families, and workers.
The Research
The perceived well-being benefits of singing are widely known and recent research has corroborated these benefits. Psychology Today reviewed a number of studies
Tom Shakespeare and Alice Whieldon from the University of East Anglia (UEA) Norwich Medical School in the UK worked with an organisation called Sing Your Heart Out
“We heard the participants calling the initiative a ‘lifesaver’ and that it ‘saved their sanity.’ Others said they simply wouldn’t be here without it, they wouldn’t have managed. So, we quickly began to see the massive impact it was having. All of the participants we spoke to reported positive effects on their mental health as a direct result of taking part in the singing workshops. For some, it represented one component of a wider programme of support. For others, it stood out as key to their recovery or maintenance of health. But the key thing for everyone was that the Sing Your Heart Out model induced fun and happiness.”
How does it work?
Megan Tanner runs the sessions virtually via Zoom. Megan is a vocal coach and actor who works with singers in the music and theatre industry and is Musical Director of Choirs. Megan is the founder of Hear Their Roar, a charity working with vulnerable communities in Africa.
Also a foster carer, Megan cares for vulnerable children and adolescents and is enthusiastic about being part of this unique project.
Once signed up, Megan emails each choir member with the Zoom invite and together teaches us to sing three or four songs. We’ll sing in our own homes – via Zoom. You will need to download the Zoom App on a phone, laptop, tablet or desktop computer. By week 12, Megan will send a backing track and we’ll each record the song, you send it to Megan, who will work with a video editor to produce a video of our very own virtual choir (for those who want to take part). Songs will be uplifting, meaningful, and well known.
How can I join and when does it start?
Spaces are available. Please email [email protected]