Posted on 14/05/2014
The Sing Along Surrey concert held in the Picture Gallery
Weekly sing along sessions run by student volunteers from Royal Holloway, University of London have been a big hit with older members of the local community.
With Mental Health Awareness Week being marked this week (Monday 12 to Sunday 18 May), volunteers from the project have noted the positive impact that the Sing Along Surrey sessions have had on the overall well-being of residents of local care homes.
The initiative, which was set up last summer by students in a bid to engage and interact with elderly members of the community, involves volunteers putting together songbooks and participating in sessions that include wartime music as well as favourites such as ‘It’s a long way to Tipperary’.
Project leader and third year Music student Caoimhe Sykes said: “The weekly sing along sessions made a big difference to the care homes' residents. After each session, they seemed evidently happier and the carers reported that in the days that followed, they were much livelier. As the singing continued, the residents became more open and keen to participate, and some would even want to share their own songs with us as well as the ones we had prepared for them.”
As part of the project, residents from Merlewood and Sunrise Senior Living, along with members of Surrey County Council and Age UK, were invited to attend a sing along concert on 11 March, which was held in the University’s acclaimed Picture Gallery.
Members of the Community Action student volunteers hope to continue the popular project, supported by the Royal Holloway Alumni Fund, in the future.