SINGING always raises a smile ... but for this group of performers, it has done wonders for their health too.
The Singing for Health and Happiness workshop, organised by Community Art Works Limited, started as a project to see whether singing can make you healthy.
It was originally meant to last just ten weeks, and has been so successful that it will continue indefinitely.
Yesterday, the participants took part in a performance at the Freeman Street Resource Centre, in Kent Street, Grimsby.
Angela Pearson, the co-founder of Community Art Works Limited, explained: "My mum, Pearl, has Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease which means she has problems with her breathing.
"I did some research into what I could do to help her and found that singing was supposed to really help. I started the group and found people that had breathing difficulties really started to benefit, as did those without. We all did a lung capacity test when we started ten weeks ago and even I, who was a singer, gave a very poor reading close to being an asthmatic.
"Now, at the end of the initial programme, everybody's lung capacity has greatly increased – and that's just from an hour's singing, once a week for ten weeks.
"The results have been incredible, and it has not just helped their health.
"Some of the members call it their hour of happiness because the singing and companionship of the members has really boosted people's feelings.
"If you sing that you are happy, you will be for some time afterwards. It has been so uplifting for everybody."
Rachel Appels, of Heneage Road, Grimsby, said: "I can't do a lot as I suffer from complex regional pain syndrome, which makes moving difficult.
"The hour of singing is so uplifting and enjoyable. It doesn't make you forget the pain, but it does make it feel better.
"All the other members and the activities just make it so enjoyable. If it ran for one hour every day, I would be here.
"We have become good friends."
Sharon Dormer, of Patrick Street, Grimsby, added: "I have arthritis in both my hips which means I cannot get out much. This leaves many people isolated, but coming to a group like this is such an enormous help. It's not just the health benefits; it makes you feel better inside as well."
The group runs each Thursday from 1pm to 2pm at the resource centre. Each session is £1.
