Northampton's Singing for Breathing group celebrates year of success

Patients with chronic lung disease have celebrated a choir that's changed their lives at a special anniversary performance honoured by the Queen.
The Singing for Breathing ChoirThe Singing for Breathing Choir
The Singing for Breathing Choir

Her Majesty has written to thank the founder of the Northampton choir for its ground-breaking support for people with respiratory conditions.

The Singing for Breathing group was set up a year ago by occupational therapy students for people with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

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Maria Selby, 65, who has had a double lung transplant said: “The teacher has taught us how to breathe when singing - It’s so amazing when you think you can’t speak because you have COPD, and yet you can sing.”

Occupational therapist James Wyatt who runs the group, started it to provide a new activity for people living with COPD while studying in Northampton.

He said: “We wanted to provide occupational therapy for people coping with a specific condition. There was nothing available for those with COPD yet it’s one of the most common respiratory diseases in the UK. We are amazed at how popular it’s been. We are hugely grateful for all the support”