Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland and The Cheyne Gang Highlight the Power of Song for World Bronchiectasis Day

Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland (CHSS) and The Cheyne Gang are showcasing the power of song in helping people with long-term respiratory conditions this World Bronchiectasis Day (July 1^st).

CHSS and The Cheyne Gang entered a partnership last year which highlights how community singing groups can help people with respiratory conditions manage breathlessness, promote movement and offer peer support.

The Cheyne Gang, a charity which runs community singing groups for people with conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma and bronchiectasis, runs Sing to Breathe groups in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Falkirk, Fife, Forres, Inverness, Scottish Borders and online.

Anne Ritchie, one of the co-founders of The Cheyne Gang, said: “Singing can be really beneficial for breathing control for a number of respiratory conditions.

“As well as breathing control, the group setting can also combat isolation and promote better overall wellbeing.

“We are a welcoming, friendly group and we would encourage everyone with a respiratory condition to come along and try it for themselves.”

For Ann Brown, from The Cheyne Gang’s Oxgangs group in Edinburgh, singing has helped her manage bronchiectasis and asthma.

Ann said: “I’ve been a member of the Cheyne Gang for six years. I had a damaged lung with radiotherapy, and it caused me to have bronchiectasis and asthma.

“The Cheyne Gang is a choir for people who have breathing problems. I just love it.”

And, according to CHSS research, 42 per cent of people with long-term chest or lung conditions told the charity they had accessed NHS rehab and 25 per cent weren’t referred for rehab at all.

Dr Gourab Choudhury, Respiratory Consultant and COPD lead at NHS Lothian, said: “We know that singing is a very time-tested intervention to improve lung health in chronic respiratory conditions such as COPD.

“It helps with things like strengthening your respiratory muscles, it helps with enhancing breath control which often is a problem in patients with COPD.

“Patients love singing choirs; there’s almost a community feeling towards it as well as the improved long health care that it brings to the table.”

Cat Thomson, Head of External Engagement, Peer and Participation at Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland, said: “Our important partnership with The Cheyne Gang allows us to support even more people living with long-term respiratory conditions across Scotland. We’re proud of this collaboration and have seen, first-hand, the difference these groups make, helping people build confidence, stay active and better manage the challenges of living with a long-term condition.

“At CHSS, we’re committed to helping the 1 in 5 people living with our conditions to live life to the full. That’s why partnerships like this matter.”

To find your local singing group please go to www.thecheynegang.com.

If you’re living with the effects of a chest, heart or stroke condition or Long Covid and are looking for advice and information, please contact Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland’s Advice Line on 0808 801 0899. You can also text ADVICE to 66777 or email adviceline@chss.org.uk.