Tuesday 6th April 2021
Earlier this year the Military Wives Choirs were the recipient of part of a grant awarded to SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to help alleviate loneliness and isolation amongst the Armed Forces community during the Covid-19 outbreak and pandemic.
The Military Wives Choirs used this grant to host a recruitment campaign, calling out to women across the Armed Forces community to join the Military Wives Choirs both virtually, and when the choirs return in person.
Military Wives Choirs virtual sessions
As an incentive, the Military Wives Choirs held a virtual taster session, bringing potential members together for a preview of online music-making during Covid-19. The choirs are open to women from across the military community, not only wives, and the session introduced themes of music for wellbeing and mental health, some well-loved and new songs and a chance to develop new skills and feel closer together through singing.
Anna Baines, military partner said:
“It was really moving to take part in the virtual sessions watching women of all ages and backgrounds come together to sing and have a bit of fun.
After warming up and having a good sing we were put into virtual breakout rooms to introduce ourselves and have a chat. I have felt quite lonely and isolated at points during the pandemic and wanted to join the choirs for that reason. Hearing other women say the same thing in the breakout rooms really brought home that I am not alone in these feelings and connecting together in the group is a great way to help. Really looking forward to joining my local choir when the pandemic allows.”
Maggie Pedder, Chair of Trustees and choir member said:
“I would urge you to consider joining the Military Wives Choirs; we bring women from across the military community together to sing, share, and support one another.”
“Choir is a really important evening in my busy week, where I can set aside some time just for me and really feel part of a community. The pandemic has been a challenging time, but we have continued to feel stronger together.”
The Military Wives Choirs is part of the SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity family. Email [email protected] for further details and to sign up for an exciting virtual taster session.
Military Wives Choirs
With 72 choirs and nearly 2,000 members in British military bases across the UK and overseas, the Military Wives Choirs is a charity that brings all women in the military community (not just wives) closer together and empowers them through singing.
Families of service personnel move around frequently and it can often be tough to put down roots or make new friends, particularly when loved ones are away for long periods of time. Research shows that singing in a choir can help to alleviate stress and can contribute to an improvement in mental health. The Military Wives Choirs therefore have a vital role to play by bringing women in the military community together to sing.
The Military Wives Choirs is both an independent charity and subsidiary of SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity. SSAFA’s mission is to provide practical, emotional and financial support to our Forces and their families and the Military Wives Choirs work collaboratively with SSAFA to support this mission.
To find out more, visit www.militarywiveschoirs.org
