I was invited by Joyce Booth to join one of the north west stroke association choir sessions.
I went with a friend who is part of a local choir where she lives. This visit was more then inspiring- being in a choir and hearing everyone harmonising together gives me goosebumps. Each person there, volunteers and stroke survivors were incredibly warm, friendly and welcoming.
Singing in the choir has been a huge part to recovering from a stroke.
Many stroke survivors feel isolated and frustrated from a lack of understanding from family and friends. Some survivors are left without speech, and it can take a very long time to rehabilitate and adapt to a new life. Joining the choir celebrates music as an art, bringing people together and working on creating beautiful sounds to experience and preform has a tremendous healing for those taking part as well as to those listening.
The choir preforms at concerts as well as in hospitals to other stroke survivors to help support them and demonstrate that there is hope in recovery and there is a new life to work towards.
Many of the participants expressed that after their stroke they lost their speech, and coming to the choir was difficult at first. Singing helps to exercise a different part of their brain and therefore through singing it helped them to eventually recover and rehabilitate their speech- which is a huge and inspiring achievement.
Another huge aspect of the choir that participants expressed to me was the social support. Each person in the choir has their stroke in common, which aids a supportive and safe environment where they are surrounded by people who understand and help to motivate each others recovery.
My friend who I took with for the rehearsal was so inspired by the visit, this was her feedback shared on her Instagram:
hephziday
Stroke Rehabilitation Choir 💗🙏🏼 .
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A few weeks ago @exploringartsforhealth and I had the pleasure of joining a choir rehearsal by #strokeassociationnw .
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For many stroke survivors, the recovery is a long and scary process. Due to brain injury, many may have lost the ability to walk, talk and perform basic daily activities that we take for granted. Going out in public can be a hugely embarrassing and daunting task.
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@strokeassocnw have created a weekly choir, whose members are stroke survivors, carers, healthcare professionals and volunteers as part of a rehabilitation service for stroke victims.
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This choir brings survivors together, not only as a rehabilitation service but as a fun, friendly support group!
Singing has been shown to help mute patients regain their speech and improve cognitive function, as well as having many other health benefits.
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They also visit stroke wards in hospitals to perform, and give some hope and encouragement to stroke survivors, letting them know that there is life after stroke and recovery is possible.
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If you’re interested in finding out more about arts for health, follow @exploringartsforhealth and watch this video on YouTube to find out more about the North West Stroke Association:
https://youtu.be/o0XazYNsPZM
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It was an absolute honour meeting these people! Everyone was so friendly, and very keen to tell us just how much this choir had helped in their recovery! Hope to join them again one day for another sing song 💗
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Exploring Arts For Health 
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