Social Singing
(2017-present)
Abbey Craig offers welcoming, fun and sensitively facilitated sing-along sessions for health and well-being. People sing together in a relaxed and supportive atmosphere. Positive benefits include improved confidence, breath control, memory stimulation, self-expression and feelings of happiness and belonging.
Abbey holds regular sessions with local charities including The Adam Centre and Arbroath Connections.
The Singing Buddies was first established in 2017 by Abbey, in partnership with Arbroath- based charity, Round O 5 O and the Royal Voluntary Service. The Buddies were supported by the partnerships to continue meeting, online, throughout the pandemic.
The group, aged 60-90+ years old, emerged from COVID as a bonded and lasting support network for one another. The group is now self-sustaining. The Buddies and Abbey lead sing-alongs in numerous venues, including care homes and community events. The group has taken part in several local projects and have recorded their own album in memory of the pandemic and the friends they miss.
Their pandemic playlist can be heard here.
In this short film, some of the group discuss the impact of singing with the Buddies.
