A NEW partnership has been agreed between Herefordshire Mind, the mental health charity, and Sing out Strong, which provides chances for people to improve their wellbeing through singing.

Sing out Strong provides regular choirs, drop-in social-singing sessions, and pop up choirs at events, to help the public access singing-based activities. In 2020, new Sing out Strong choirs will be launching in Hereford and the Forest of Dean, as well as across the Borders and South Wales. As well as raising awareness of mental health and singing together for fun and friendship, the choirs will come together in a June for a spectacular fundraising gala in aid of Herefordshire Mind.

Founder of Sing out Strong, Emma Rowland, is a professional Choral Conductor. "I've been conducting choirs for 18 years and I also have anxiety and depression. When I was diagnosed in 2018, it was my music that kept me going and helped me focus and move forward."

The two organisations will be working together closely over the coming months.

For more information or to join one of the choirs, visit singoutstrong.co.uk, email hello@singoutstrong.co.uk, or find them on Facebook @SingOutStrongWellbeing.

To get in touch with Herefordshire Mind, visit herefordshire-mind.org.uk, email info@herefordshire-mind.org.uk or call 01432 271643. Or you can visit them at Widemarsh Street in Hereford.