SFE’s Fundraising Manager, Sarah Caldwell, discusses the growing success of our Community Choir across ExtraCare’s Solihull and Hagley Road Villages and what it means to participants.
Our Hagley Road Village Community Choir is a very special group. It has been another busy, and fun, year for the group, with quite a few new faces – and voices – taking part, with more than 20 regular members now joining our Choir leads – Helen and Tahlia each week.
The group’s range of songs has increased, covering most genres, with some of the group enjoying opportunities to take on solo spots as well as harmonies, with everyone singing their hearts out. The group have again enjoyed showcasing their voices to wider audiences, taking part in a number of special events at the Village, with VE Day and VJ Day being particularly important to everyone involved.
One of the highlights for the group this year was going ‘on tour’ to visit another Extracare Village, over in Solihull, where they joined residents to perform at an open day. A wonderful event, it inspired Solihull Village to introduce their own singing group after they saw how much fun the original group had. Also led by Helen, the Solihull group grew quickly, with around 15 regular members now joining each week.
We are really proud of both groups, and they are invaluable to their members, offering so much more than just fun and singing.
Wonderful Feedback for the Community Choir:
‘If it wasn’t for the singing group I would just stay in my room. It gives me a zest, and something to look forward to. It really is the highlight of my week’. Barbara (Hagley Road Village)
‘For me, it’s therapy as I have Parkinsons. Music and singing help me control it, the louder and faster the better, so being part of the group and singing with others really helps’. Irene (Solihull Village)
‘People can find talking with others difficult. But singing together is easier, it’s joyful, and people prefer it. It makes us all feel better’. Beryl (Solihull Village)
‘The Hagley Village community choir is a truly special group that brings joy, connection, and purpose to so many. It’s more than just singing — it’s about community, friendship, and the shared joy of music. For many, it provides a much-needed sense of purpose each week, as well as the excitement of preparing for performances that uplift both the singers and their audiences. We’re so grateful to Helen for her energy, kindness, and dedication. The impact she’s making goes far beyond music — she’s changing lives.’ Zane Lightfoot, Activities Coordinator, Hagley Road Village.
Helen will be back with both groups in September with some new songs to learn and perform, as well as some great collaborative singing opportunities throughout the year.
We would like to thank everyone who has made this year’s sessions possible, including GJW Turner Trust, Grimmitt Trust, Gowling Charitable Trust and Arnold Clark Community Foundation.
Support Our Community Choir
Our Community Choir sessions cost around £6,000 a year to run and are only possible thanks to our fundraising efforts. If you would like to know more, and would like to support our amazing Community Choirs, click the button below.
FIND OUT MORE AND DONATE TODAYAbout the Author
Sarah Caldwell – Fundraising Manager, Services For Education
Sarah Caldwell joined Services For Education in Summer 2023, bringing with her over 14 years fundraising experience. Working in the Birmingham charity sector, she has raised valuable funds for a range of projects impacting the day to day lives of young people with disabilities.
Sarah has experience across a number of fundraising streams (including Trusts & Foundation, Events and Corporate Fundraising), and brings this, along with a strong interest in building relationships with supporters, to her role at SFE