NURSING choirs could be the way forward to relieve some of the stress that comes with the occupation, as shown by a group of student nurses from Warrington.

Three choirs have been formed so far by the group of Chester University students and they have received nothing but ‘support’ and ‘encouragement’ from the community following their first ever performances.

Student and choir member, Rachel Harkin said the benefits of the choir have been ‘seen and heard by the local community’.

“Singing can have benefits to both mental and physical wellbeing, for example it can relieve stress, stimulate immune response to improve lung function and in addition, singing can also create a sense of belonging and connection for individuals with others,” she said.

The students have been taking part in music therapy sessions with performance company Making Maestros led by Jennie O’Hare.

“The music therapy we have engaged with alongside the performances has been of huge benefit to us and has had a positive impact on our mental wellbeing.

“The performance made many of us feel emotional, and for some it even brought a tear to their eye,” Rachel added.

Moving performances by the student choirs were held at Chester’s Storyhouse, Holy Trinity Church in Warrington and at several care homes in Cheshire.

An initiative to start singing therapy among the student nurses was part of the Creative Health placement which explores new and inventive ways to improve healthcare education and practice. 

This placement was developed by the Faculty of Health and Social Care and the Philip Barker Centre for Creative Learning as a direct result of the NHS Long Term Plan 2019 as well as changes and demands to the practice circuit and the 2017 inquiry report into Creative Health.

Lecturer in practice learning, Charlotte Carroll spoke of the ‘positive’ benefits of the choir and singing therapy.

“The feedback we have received from all the performances has been positive from both the students and the audiences, and we are looking forward to future performances from our creative health choirs.

“There are a variety of physical, emotional, and mental health benefits from singing with research showing it can have positive impact on those with conditions such as dementia, Parkinson's, depression, anxiety and asthma and we hope by our students coming together we can promote these benefits in the community.”