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Music has the ability to bring together people of all ages as proven by Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee School and residents at Abbeyfield House, Horsham. This week, residents were thrilled when the choir from QE2, a school for students with profound and multiple learning difficulties, visited the house for a festive sing-a-long.
For an hour, everyone joined in the sing-a-long with a mixture of Christmas carols and Christmas chart songs being sung. Residents were particularly impressed with two student’s who sang solos. In fact, all the residents enjoyed the visit so much they’ve asked if the children can come back throughout the year for different events.
Jim, a resident at Abbeyfield House said, “The children brought so much joy in to the house and I thoroughly enjoyed singing along with them.”
Paul Donat, House Manager at Abbeyfield House, Horsham said, “We’ve all got so much out of the festive sing-a-long, especially the residents. It was a pleasure for me to see all the students happy, along with the residents, and to see so much Christmas cheer in the house."
Benefits of singing for older people
Studies have shown there are many benefits to older people who sing regularly, and not just because it gets their toes tapping. Singing can provide older people with the opportunity to meet new people and build new relationships. It can also increase self-confidence, reduce anxiety, improve posture, breathing and speech difficulties.
Additionally, singing can increase positive feelings as, in most cases, it’s a joyful and uplifting experience. Researchers have found that listening and singing along to music stimulates the body to release dopamine, which is the body’s natural ‘feel good’ chemical.
Why not follow the example set by QE2 and Abbeyfield House, Horsham and put on your favourite album and get singing!
