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 emo?tional, 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.