Lifting spirits and building community: the social, emotional and practical benefits of all-female group singing

A mixed-methods concurrent identical design was implemented to explore the following research question: what are the emotional, social, and practical impacts of group singing for women from a regeneration area? Members of an all-female community choir based in an area of disadvantage participated in a focus group and survey. The most significant quantitative finding was an increase in the overall perceived level of health, which seemed linked to qualitative themes of ‘positive emotions’, ‘redefining and reclaiming identity’, ‘choir as an extended family’ and ‘community interaction and impact’. Three themes arose from qualitative data: social impact, health and well-being aspects, and practical issues. Integrating qualitative and quantitative findings identified an overarching concept that ‘choir participation may increase emotional and social health and well-being’. Group singing was found beneficial, with a potential to serve as a resource in cultivating resilience in individuals living in areas of disadvantage.