Launch of Singing for Health Network - CALL OUT TO SINGING FOR HEALTH RESEARCHERS
My name is Emily Foulkes. I am the Director of Cymaz Music, a music charity in Cornwall, which delivers programmes using music as a tool to promote well-being and support learning.
My specialism is Singing for Health and Well-being and my work has resulted in securing funding to work as a Singing for Health practitioner and researcher in both Primary and Acute Care in Cornwall and in Education settings. I am a Trauma and Mental Health practitioner and Trainer and have focussed my research areas on Mental Health, Chronic Pain, MS and am a British Lung Foundation trained Singing for Lung Health Leader.
In recent years I have been completing postgraduate study with Voice Workshop in the subject of Singing for Health and Well-being and have made links with others working in this field. Starting in 2016, I began to have discussions with colleagues which led to the identification of a gap which we believe a Singing for Health Network can support. The primary aim of the Network is to bridge research and practice and provide a platform for sharing between practitioners and researchers. It will be a membership body which will bring together practitioners, researchers and potentially those working in Health or Education. There is growing support for the Network from key stakeholders, including Sing to Beat Parkinson's, Sing Up, Britten Pears Arts, HE Institutions, Sing for Pleasure, Dr Daisy Fancourt and others are adding to that list.
The Network aims to support all areas of Singing for Health, across the age ranges and from community based Singing for Well-being groups, to more targeted clinical interventions. There will be a focus on England and the UK but it may be of interest to those in other areas.
I am joined by Dr Jo Erwin, in developing this aspiration. Jo, who has a background in public health, is a researcher in musculoskeletal health at Royal Cornwall Hospital and is the evaluator and researcher for our Singing Clinic programme in Cornwall. Jo is an avid singer in a few different choirs and singing groups in Cornwall and advocates for the power of singing to promote health and well-being.
We have consulted with practitioners and researchers in Cornwall and beyond to develop the aims for the Network and the feedback so far has been very positive. This Network is not seeking to replicate, but to build on existing resources and provide a useful and relevant platform for practitioners and researchers and anyone interested in Singing for Health.
The aim is to support those researching Singing for Health with promoting their work and to support new and emerging voices as well as established researchers/practitioners. Membership to the network will open to those working in or interested in Singing for Health (in the UK, mainly).
We are delighted to be supported by Dr Daisy Fancourt from University College London, who will be sharing some of her research in Singing for Health on this new resource.
CALLING SINGING FOR HEALTH RESEARCHERS - SEEKING VIDEO CONTENT TO HIGHLIGHT RESEARCH INFORMED PRACTICE
The Network aims to bridge research and practice and support a Singing for Health Movement. Video resources are an accessible way to provide information and will accompany a range of written and audio resources.
We are now seeking applications for submission of video and written content for the new website. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE APPLICATION IS NOT THE VIDEO ITSELF BUT A WRITTEN APPLICATION (see below).
We are seeking 30 minute video presentations of Singing for Health research projects to share on the new website. Videos need to be of good quality, particularly ensuring good sound quality (we may not be able to use videos which are not high enough quality)
Topics must demonstrate evidence and research based practice
Information shared will not belong to the Network, ownership is with the researcher/practitioner
You can share opportunities for people to access your work more broadly (resources, courses etc)
Payment of £75 per video to practitioner/researcher
You will provide something written to go alongside the video for the website as an introduction and overview
Please submit an application outlining;
Your focus in Singing for Health
Your research carried out in this field with primary sources
Details of application to practice
Impacts and outcomes
What people will learn/take away from your video
Your biography
A photograph
Applications will be blindly assessed by a panel.
Please let me know if you are interested in volunteering on the panel to the email below.
Please share! Thank you.
Deadline for applications – 26th June. 5pm.
For more information: www.singingforhealthnetwork.co.uk