SILVER   SONG  CLUBS

The Silver Song Club Programme continues to expand. There are now 7 clubs in Kent providing monthly meetings of participatory music for older people and a further 4 clubs  will be active later this year (Faversham Choral Society are now supporting a club which meets at Age Concern Faversham each month). Arts Council England South East have now agreed to support  expansion into East and West Sussex, Surrey and Brighton & Hove UA. This 18 month project will cost £50000 and will create 3 new hubs each managing 4 clubs.  The project is being managed by Sing For Your Life Ltd in partnership with Making Music South East, Mind & Spirit (Song Trees) and Music For Change.  The first club in West Sussex will meet for the first time in Haywards Heath in January 2006 and will be supported by volunteers from Sussex Chorus.  Further West students from the Music Department at Southampton University have volunteered to support a Silver Song Club which is being financed by Southampton City PCT.

The  music programmes are developed by the Sidney De Haan Centre for Arts and Health which is attached to the Faculties of Music and Health at Canterbury Christ Church University. They are delivered and managed by Sing For Your Life Ltd which is a ‘not for profit’ organisation and  which has applied for charitable status. Full training and support is provided.

 The clubs are supported by volunteers supplied by amateur music groups who commit to supporting a club for a monthly session lasting 2 hours. Sessions are held in suitable venues  - Age Concern Centres, Salvation Army Citadels etc – and  both those in residential care and living at home are welcome. The clubs provide an enjoyable activity and the opportunity for social contact for clients and carers.

 Volunteers supporting the clubs are only responsible for delivering the music programme and are led by a trained facilitator. Any personal or medical care is the responsibility of the carer.

 Each Group taking part in the programme receives a payment of £150 per session.

 For further information and signposting contact Stuart Brown.   Tel: 01303 220870

E Mail     makmusse@aol.com