Community News

Sing Your Lungs Out Wellington

You don’t need to be a singer to join the Wellington Sing Your Lungs Out choir. In fact, organiser Robyn Lange says most members would claim they can’t sing. “But it doesn’t matter at all, as together we make a good sound, and we have a fun time doing it.”

The choir was set up eight years ago, following a research project into the benefits of community singing for people with lung conditions, like COPD. The findings showed that group singing boosted the participants’ quality of life and improved their confidence, as well as helping with lung clearance and breathing control.

“For many people, that diagnosis of COPD can be life-shattering. They feel like they can’t do anything anymore and they are embarrassed by symptoms like coughing or breathlessness,” explains Robyn. “But at Sing Your Lungs Out, everyone understands those symptoms. You can cough away without judgement. It’s really an amazing group of people who are so welcoming and supportive of each other.”

The group meets weekly on Tuesday mornings at All Saints Church in Hataitai. The choir practice is preceded by an optional exercise group run by Robyn, who is a respiratory physiotherapist, followed by a shared morning tea and then warm-up breathing exercises. The singing practice is led by a highly experienced singing teacher, who helps adapt the music to suit the needs of the participants. The song choices are varied, from old favourites to more modern tunes, and everyone gets to have a say.

Currently there are 23 members, with some having been there since the choir was first established. “There is a real mix of people and backgrounds – including some who never imagined they’d join a choir, yet they really love it,” says Robyn. The organisers are conscious of providing a safe environment, and the practice room is a large, well-ventilated space that is warm in winter.

The choir performs several short concerts throughout the year, with one of the highlights being an annual Christmas Carol performance at Wellington Hospital. Membership is free, and open to anyone with respiratory conditions.

Anyone who is interested in trying it out can drop into a practice session at 10.30, Tuesday at All Saints Church in Hataitai. For those based in Porirua, the Porirua Sing Your Lungs Out choir is held every Thursday at 11.30, at Mungavin Hall. Contact details are on the Foundation’s website: https://www.asthmafoundation. org.nz/about-us/supportgroups

HELP NEEDED FOR CHILD ASTHMA RESEARCH

Can you help New Zealand researchers find out which inhalers are better at preventing asthma attacks in children?

Researchers from the Medical Research Institute of New Zealand (MRINZ) are looking for children to help with two important studies comparing the effectiveness of different asthma medications. For the first study, the researchers are looking for children between five to 15 years old who are currently only using a reliever inhaler/puffer (eg. Ventolin, Respigen or Bricanyl) to manage their asthma. In the second study, the researchers are seeking children aged five to 11 years old who are using a preventer inhaler (eg. Flixotide, Seretide or Pulmicort) and a reliever inhaler (eg. Respigen, Ventolin or Bricanyl). For more information or to enrol your child in the study go to: https://www.asthmafoundation.org.nz/getinvolved/help-with-research

FUNDRAISING FOR THE FOUNDATION

Did you know that the Foundation receives no Government funding?

All our funding is provided by sponsors, community grant organisations and generous supporters like you. We have created a fundraising toolkit for our amazing family of supporters, with ideas and advice on how to run a fundraising event. Our team is always happy to support your efforts. You can find the new toolkit here: https://www.asthmafoundation.org.nz/get-involved

Asthma in New Zealand Survey 2023

Ahead of World Asthma Day, the Foundation wants to find out more about Kiwis' experiences with asthma. We've created a short survey that you can fill out either for yourself or on behalf of a child with asthma. As a thank you for your time, survey respondents can choose to go into the draw to win one of five $50 Prezzy cards. You can access survey by visiting: www.arfnz.org.nz/asthmainnzsurvey