Singing from the Heart: Bury

Delivered by Intergenerational Music Making in partnership with Age UK Bury, funded by Bury Voluntary, Community and Faith Alliance

Singing from the Heart is a creative health programme delivered by Intergenerational Music Making. It uses music, singing, breathwork and creative activity to support the physical, emotional and social wellbeing of people living with or at risk of cardiovascular disease and the families and carers around them.

The Bury programme is delivered in partnership with Age UK Bury, with funding from the Bury Voluntary, Community and Faith Alliance. Sessions bring together people across the life course, creating intergenerational spaces that combine creative participation with measurable health outcomes.

Evidence Base

Cardiovascular disease affects more than just physical health. Loneliness, stress, low confidence and social isolation are both risk factors and consequences of heart conditions. Clinical care alone cannot address these wider determinants of health.

Singing from the Heart responds to this gap. It is grounded in evidence that guided breathing, group singing and creative expression can improve respiratory function, reduce stress and strengthen the social bonds that protect long-term wellbeing. The programme treats the whole person, not the condition in isolation.

Singing from the Heart has a strong and evidenced track record of delivery.

Intergenerational Music Making has previously delivered the programme across Greater Manchester in partnership with NW Hearts Charity, reaching multiple community settings including care homes, community venues and health environments. You can learn more about the programme and view our previous evaluation report here.

Independent evaluation of that programme demonstrated consistent, measurable impact across health, wellbeing and social outcomes:

• Two-thirds of participants (10 out of 15) recorded improved peak flow scores at the end of the programme, demonstrating gains in respiratory function and lung capacity

• Participants were observed breathing more deeply, sustaining notes for longer and expressing increased physical confidence in vocal work over time

• Questionnaire data showed positive shifts in social connection, with participants reporting reduced feelings of isolation and a stronger sense of belonging describing the group as “family-like” by the end of the programme

• Emotional wellbeing improved across multiple measures, including optimism, ability to manage stress, and feeling relaxed, reflecting the stress-relief effects of group singing and breathwork

• Participants and carers reported increased confidence and greater ownership of their own health journeys

The programme demonstrates the value of sustained, community-based investment in creative health: building not only individual wellbeing but the social infrastructure that keeps communities connected and resilient.

For further information about Singing from the Heart or to discuss partnership opportunities, please contact Emily at emily@imm-music.com