Project
Led by Dr Hilary Moss and Ms Liz Helitzer, this project focuses on community-engaged research that explores the contribution singing can make to health and wellbeing. In 2020 -21, researchers at UL contacted 2,736 Irish stakeholders with links to singing for health and wellbeing, collecting information about singing groups and choirs across the country. The data that they collected forms a national and international public resource not only for singers, but for a health professionals looking to make referrals, for policy makers seeking to promote well-being and respiratory health, and for carers and communities who would like to get involved. To see the map, go to: www.singireland.ie
Although there is a growing body of evidence about the social, psychological and physical benefits of singing, there is still little public information about the health benefits of singing, or about where singing for health groups and/or workplace choirs are located. This research provides answers to those questions by developing a map of group singing for health and wellbeing in the ROI. The aim is that this 'roadmap' will enable people wishing to sing for their health, or groups wanting to establish or improve service provision, to network with similarly interested groups. We hope that this map encourages high quality practice and investment as well as providing a useful resource for all living in Ireland.
This project is a unique collaboration between Sing Ireland and the University of Limerick. Sing Ireland strategically seeks to enable and enfuse singing as a means to enhance people’s lives throughout Irish society and in a multitude of health and well-being settings. They have agreed to host this interactive map to ensure the usefulness of this resource both now and in the future. We have previously partnered with the HSE and Dr Moss has collaborated with colleagues at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance as a member of the Singing and Social Inclusion Research Cluster.
This research is the only study of HSE workplace choirs and provides a central resource for singing and health knowledge in Ireland. Published papers documenting this research are attached in the resources section. National event to launch the map was held on 15th October, launched by Liz Nolan of RTE Lyric FM https://www.singireland.ie/participation/singing-for-health-groups. Future project includes developing a resource for choir directors and facilitators to learn skills and network to improve provision of singing for health groups in Ireland (with Sing Ireland) and a study of the benefit of choirs for people with dementia.