The Cheyne Gang is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) set up by three Practice Nurses in 2013 to offer people with long term respiratory conditions such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), severe asthma, bronchiectasis and pulmonary fibrosis the positive physical, mental and social health benefits of singing and learning natural breathing techniques in a community setting. These benefits are all backed up by research including our own and all our sessions are facilitated by an experienced specialist voice coach.
Each session lasts for two hours with a break for tea/coffee/cake and a chat. We meet every two weeks and have six groups across Edinburgh, Glasgow and the Scottish Borders. We ask for a donation of £3 a session if you can afford it.
We are supported by organisations such as the Queen’s Nursing Institute for Scotland (QNIS), the Scottish Practice Nurse Association (SPNA) and by the Chief Medical Officer for Scotland. We fundraise ourselves holding events such as Christmas Fairs, music nights and afternoon teas and we have had Grants in the past from The National Lottery, CORRA and Foundation Scotland.
We enjoy integrating with the local communities of the venues where we rehearse, offering workshops, singalongs and the opportunity to share our knowledge and skills.
Singing can help with low mood, anxiety and sleep as well as help to lower blood pressure, improve the immune response and make you smile. Singing is also part of social prescribing which is encouraged in GP practices and can help people to manage their medical condition more effectively.
Our members have made new friends and very much enjoy the social aspect of the group, finding they use less medication and note an improvement in their general wellbeing.
Why not come along and give one of our groups a try. For more information see our website thecheynegang.com and you can follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
LifeCare Centre, 2 Cheyne Street, Stockbridge, EH4 1JB
Contact: Pauline Waugh – +44 (0)754 624 4466
