Group delight after £10,000 National Lottery grant to help reduce isolation

For Ruana Xerri-West, the driving force behind The Song of Now, the award means she can now introduce singing to far more people in Worcester and Malvern.

She said: “The grant means I can now try to target far more elderly people in the community, especially those feeling lonely and isolated, as well as people from small diverse community groups experiencing financial hardship and distress.

“Singing is a wonderful way not just to reduce stress and worries but to feel better about yourself, regulate your nervous system and feel much healthier and happier.

“I also know that singing in a group will not only reduce isolation but is an opportunity to make new and lasting friendships.”

Keith Slater from Worcestershire’s Community Boost and Ruana Xeri-West from The Song of Now (centre) with some of The Song of Now singers (Image: Community Boost)

Xerri-West organises singing workshops and retreats for adults as well as classes for parents with babies and young children.

She continued: “I am so excited that there are now so many more people I can offer singing to.

“I would especially love to be able to open up more opportunities of this wonderful and natural therapy to late diagnosed neurodivergent adults, to people who are trans and non-binary and to LGBTQIA+ people, particularly any survivors of domestic abuse.”

The award is yet another success for Worcestershire’s Community Boost which has generated more than £2.4 million in grant funding for community organisations.

Keith Slater, the man behind the Boost, is delighted with this award.

He said: “Singing is such a wonderful way for people to have their spirits lifted and in the present economic climate it is the work of Ruana and many others that is becoming increasingly important.”

For more information about the group contact Xerri-West via www.thesongofnow.co.uk.