Lancaster choir wins big at prestigious awards
A Lancaster choir supporting people living with respiratory conditions has won Community Group of the Year at the BBC Radio Lancashire Make a Difference Awards.
The Breath of Fresh Air Choir, run by the Gregson Community & Arts Centre brings together adults living with asthma, COPD and other breathing conditions each week.
It was a double celebration for the Gregson, with charity sub-group Friends of Miss Whalley’s Field (known fondly in the centre as the Gregsons’ Garden) also highly commended in the Environment
Award, recognising the work of volunteers caring for the much-loved local green space.
Breath of Fresh Air was launched in 2022 with Gregson volunteers Dr Rachel Eastham and Elley Sowerby in response to local health data showing that respiratory health in Bulk Ward is significantly
worse than the England average.
The project grew from a community creative health meeting involving local people, the Gregson and Queen Square Medical Practice.
Led by Charlie Brown, who has specialist singing for lung health training, the choir uses breathing-focused singing techniques alongside the simple pleasure of getting together and singing.
One choir member said: “I come to the choir because I really enjoy singing. The benefit I get from it is for my mood, my general mental health. I always feel better – I’m in better spirits after some singing. Also doing something with other people... it’s a lot of fun and lifts my mood.”
Charles Tyrer, CEO of the Gregson, said: “Breath of Fresh Air is our flagship wellbeing project and I’m incredibly proud of Charlie and everyone who comes along and makes the choir what it is.
“What I love about this award is that the choir started because people locally spotted a need and came together to do something about it.
"There are really important health and wellbeing outcomes behind the project, but if you walk into the Gregson on a Monday afternoon, what you’ll find is a room full of people singing, laughing and
enjoying being together. That’s community wellbeing in action!”
Charlie Brown who runs the choir said: “I’m absolutely delighted that Breath of Fresh Air has won the Community Group BBC Make a Difference Award. I see first-hand every week how important the
group is to the choir members, and the difference it makes to them. I hope this also helps to spread the word about the work that we do and in turn, helps even more people benefit in the future.”
Breath of Fresh Air also acts as a gateway into the wider Gregson community, connecting participants with other activities, people and support at the centre.
The choir is starting up again following their summer break on September 21 and spaces are available for anyone who’d like to come and join.
The Gregson plans to put both awards on display at its community centre on Moorgate, celebrating the people behind them.
More information is available at https://gregson.co.uk/series/breath-of-fresh-air-choir/ or by calling the centre tel: 01524 849959 (option 1).