A singing group that focuses on wellbeing has gone from strength to strength over the past year and is building new relationships between a church and its community.
The Wellbeing Singing Group is based in Newburn Parish, meeting at St Mary’s Church, Throckley, every other Saturday morning.
Its members sing everything from Abba, Elvis and Nat King Cole to traditional hymns, and have started to perform as a choir at church services and events.
“We are absolutely loving it,” said the Revd Allison Harding, the vicar of Newburn Parish who is one of the singers herself and is a huge advocate of the group’s benefits.
“It has really taken off over the past year and is a good mix of people from our two congregations and the wider community. It is bringing more people into church and when the group performs as a choir, our members bring their families and friends along, so it has been very well received.”
Allison, who is vicar at St Mary’s, Throckley and St Michael’s, Newburn, said the group has become a strong social entity and is also a support network for all who need it.
“It was relaunched early last year,” she explained. “It was previously a bit more formal with singing lessons but we realised that we needed a place for people to just sing for fun and to enjoy a cup of tea and a biscuit afterwards.
“It’s a place for people to feel good. You can come and sing for an hour on a Saturday morning, putting aside the challenges and responsibilities of everyday life. It’s a safe space to socialise, where people have the opportunity to talk about whatever they want and know that there’s a support network around them. It’s so encouraging and uplifting. You meet people and feel good about yourself.”
Children and Families Community Missioner, Jac Atkinson, is leading the church-run group but not as part of her official role. An avid singer, Jac is offering her services voluntarily.
“Jac has been brilliant,” said Allison. “People are actively wanting to sing as a choir and did so at our recent carol service and fun day. There is a missional element - people are coming into church and hearing the gospel but it’s thriving as a safe space for people to meet and enjoy themselves.”
The Wellbeing Singing Group is open to all ages. Get in touch via the Newburn Parishes page on Facebook or visit newburnparish.org