Singing for Breathing

Aim 1

Teach patients techniques to manage their condition, improve symptoms & reduce hospital admissions

Activities

» Teaching specific breathing management techniques through singing and vocal coaching
» Improving posture through singing and vocal coaching
» Delivering a programme of more than 150 workshops and one-to-one sessions both in person and via Skype

What success will look like

We will measure attendance and feedback from users, as well as using surveys to measure quality of life. We will also collect case studies.

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Aim 2

To improve mental wellbeing & reduce isolation for older people with chronic lung & heart conditions

Activities

» Encouraging peer to peer support through regular workshops and group performances
» Signposting to other relevant services, which may offer additional support needed
» Recruiting and training participants as ambassadors for the programme to provide additional support and recruit more patients to take part

What success will look like

We will use a survey to measure quality of life including the improvement of symptoms and monitoring of mental wellbeing. We will also collect case studies.

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Aim 3

Reduce anxiety, depression and non-compliance with treatment programmes among young CF patients

Activities

» Engaging young people with a fun and inclusive option to help manage symptoms
» Working with patients before their conditions get worse and prevent them from singing
» Providing access to an online peer support network of other participants with CF
» Sharing a number of follow-along videos online, allowing patients to partake via smart technology

What success will look like

We will measure the uptake of the programme of activities, the number of views the videos receive and the use of the quality of life survey and case studies.

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Aim 4

To bring Singing for Breathing to patients across the UK by creating a replicable model of support

Activities

» Sharing findings and models of support with other hospitals and lung health networks

What success will look like

We will measure the amount of information shared and any significant dissemination projects.

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Impact

Partakers will likely see a long term improvement in their symptoms and overall quality of life, leading to fewer negative impacts from their condition, including reducing social isolation, and fewer mental health impacts resulting from poorly managed symptoms. They will have better potential to manage their condition and be more active members of society, with young people finding education, training or employment more manageable. This will be captured through feedback case studies and surveys.

Risk

• Lack of funding
• Reliance on technology to deliver project
• Involvement of ambassadors

We continue to fundraise from a range of sources to ensure there is funding available for this project.

We will provide thorough training for facilitators and ambassadors on online media, Skype and social media. We will also make the programme as easy to follow as possible.

Patient ambassadors are important to us and we will give them a high level of support and training to maximise retention rates.

Reporting

Any donor who wishes to be contacted by us in the future will receive updates through our regular e-newsletters or bi-annual written newsletter. Donors will also receive an invite to our Christmas Carol Concert where Singing for breathing participants perform.

Budget - Project Cost: £26,500

	Amount	Heading	Description
	£15,600	Singing for Breathing	Singing for Breathing facilitators
	£2,250	Singing for Breathing	Specialist breathing physiotherapist
	£3,300	Singing for Breathing	Participant & ambassador recruitment/marketing:
	£3,000	Singing for Breathing	Filming and video editing
	£2,000	Singing for Breathing	Project monitoring and evaluation
	£250	Singing for Breathing	Travel expenses
	£100	Singing for Breathing	Refreshments

Current Funding / Pledges

Source	Amount
Royal Brompton & Harefield Hospitals Charity	£5,000	Guaranteed

Location

The programme will be delivered across both Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals, as well as through outreach sessions in Hillingdon and Chelsea. As national lung and heart specialist hospitals, our patients come from across the UK from a variety of socio-economic backgrounds.

Beneficiaries

More than 250 patients with chronic heart and lung conditions will benefit from this project each year. The majority of those supported will be between 19 and 25 or over 65 – these two groups of patients will benefit most from the specific programme of activities. All those benefiting will be in need of additional support to manage their condition and most will also be experiencing some combination of isolation, anxiety and/or depression as a result of their condition.

Why Us?

Ours is the UK’s leading hospital for serious respiratory conditions and Europe’s leading hospital for treating CF. 2018 will be the 10th anniversary of Singing for Breathing in the UK. It was the first of its kind and has been copied all over the UK. In the past 12 months, it has helped 100 patients. Randomised trials have shown physical and mental benefits. User feedback is very positive. Our Arts team is entirely Charity funded and is extremely effective at delivering therapy through art.

Read more about the Charity running this project.

People

Karen Taylor

Head of Arts, will be the project lead. Karen oversees delivery of hospital arts programmes including drama, music, photography and dance

Karen Janody

Arts Manager, will act as the intermediary between the hospitals and singing facilitators to manage logistics and ensure quality

Heather McClelland

Singing for Breathing Facilitator, runs weekly breathing exercise sessions, relaxation therapy and vocal coaching for patients