Singing for Health & Wellbeing

At Starling Arts, we believe that singing is one of the most powerful tools we have for a healthy life. We specialise in Singing for Health, an approach that focuses on you as a whole person, body and mind.

Living with a chronic health condition takes a real toll. It is completely natural to feel overwhelmed or disconnected, but you shouldn't have to navigate this alone.

Our sessions offer a gentle, safe space to support your physical wellbeing and lift your spirits. Every group is led by practitioners who combine musical expertise with specialised training to understand exactly how singing can help your body and mind. No musical experience is required to join us, just a desire to feel a little better through the power of song.

How singing supports your health and wellbeing

Makes you feel better

Singing improves posture, boosts immunity, and offers a gentle, aerobic physical workout

Supports your breath

Singing boosts lung health by strengthening respiratory muscles & improving breath control

Builds connections

Singing builds connections by releasing bonding hormones and reducing isolation

Boosts your mood

Singing boosts your mood and by releasing happy chemicals to the brain

Sing for Better Breathing

Find relief from breathlessness and learn to manage your symptoms through gentle, expert-led vocal support.

Our weekly online group is a friendly space for anyone living with long-term lung conditions or breathing challenges. We combine professional vocal techniques with peer support to help you manage your symptoms while enjoying a social, musical morning.

  • Who it’s for: We welcome people living with conditions such as COPD, Asthma, Pulmonary Fibrosis, Bronchiectasis, or Long Covid, as well as those living with POTS, ME, or any condition where breathlessness is a challenge.

  • The Benefits: Better posture, a stronger voice, reduced feelings of breathlessness, and the chance to connect with others who understand their experiences.

  • When: Wednesday mornings | 10.45am | Online via Zoom.

  • Cost: Free to attend (donations are welcome to help us keep the group running).

Email info@starlingarts.com with any questions or complete the sign up form below.

Got a question about Sing for Better Breathing? Check out our FAQs below.

JOIN SING FOR BETTER BREATHING

Our Wellbeing Expertise

Beyond our breathing groups, we offer a range of specialist support for communities and organisations:

  • Sing to Beat Parkinson’s: Facilitated by trained leaders to support physical and mental wellbeing for those living with Parkinson’s.

  • Vocal Health & Mindfulness: Sessions designed to help you develop a healthy body and a calm mind through gentle physical and vocal exercises.

  • Mental Health Support: As trained Mental Health and Vocal Health First Aiders, we make sure every project we lead is a safe, supportive space for everyone involved.

Professional Accreditations

We are proud to be trained and certified by these leading health and education bodies:

  • The Musical Breath (Singing for Lung Health)

  • Sing to Beat Parkinson’s

  • Vocal Health First Aid & Mental Health First Aid England

  • BAST (Be A Singing Teacher)

  • School of Positive Transformation

Join Sing for Better Breathing

Frequently Asked Questions

  •  Not at all! These sessions are all about how singing makes you feel. We use music as a tool for health, and everyone is welcome, no matter their musical experience.

  • For our Sing for Better Breathing group, just fill in our sign-up form to register your interest. For any of our other wellbeing groups, please drop us an email.

  • Please feel free to email us at info@starlingarts.com with any questions. We are always happy to have a gentle chat before you join, and you’re welcome to attend a no-pressure taster session to see if the group feels right for you. 

  • Yes. Our methods are inspired by research from organizations like Asthma + Lung UK, which shows that singing in a group can significantly improve physical strength and quality of life.

  • You are always in control of your own participation. You can pause, rest, sit back, or listen whenever you need to. There is zero pressure to sing through the whole session or push past your comfort level. We always say, “Do what works for you and your body today.”

  • Everything we do can be done seated. We usually lead the sessions seated ourselves. We encourage good posture to help support your breathing, but we adapt all physical and vocal exercises so you can participate safely and comfortably from your chair.

  • You are always welcome to join and just listen or breathe along softly. If you can’t make a session, that’s okay too. Listen to your body and come when you feel able.

  • Sessions last around 60 minutes and include a gentle warm-up focusing on posture and relaxation, guided breathing exercises, fun and easy vocal exercises, and singing and uplifting song together. We also make time for a social chat at the end of the session.

  • No. During the singing parts of the session, everyone except the group leader will be muted. This means you can sing as loudly or softly as you like in the privacy of your own home, without worrying about anyone else hearing you.

  • You just need a phone, tablet, or computer with an internet connection and speakers/headphones. Once you sign up, we’ll email you a link to click each week to join us. If you’re new to Zoom, let us know and we can help talk you through set-up!

  • No medical referral is required. You can sign up by filling out our simple online form. Whether you have an official diagnosis or simply experience ongoing breathing difficulties, you are welcome.

  • No, Sing for Better Breathing is a complementary activity designed to support your wellbeing alongside your standard medical care. We always recommend continuing your prescribed treatments and consulting your healthcare team if you have concerns.

  • Our sessions are free so that cost is never a barrier. If you are able and would like to support us, details on how to make a voluntary contribution will be shared in your weekly email updates.

  • Absolutely! Family members, partners, or carers are very welcome to join you on screen and participate alongside you.

Ready to find out how singing can support your health? Fill in the sign up form or email info@starlingarts.com for more information.