Lottery-funded choir for people with Parkinson’s boosts physical and mental health

A National Lottery-funded choir created to support the wellbeing of people in Wales with Parkinson’s has delivered marked improvements in their physical and mental health, a new evaluation has found.

The ParkinSings pilot, supported by the Arts Council of Wales’ Arts, Health and Wellbeing National Lottery Fund – which reopens for submissions today – explored whether group singing could help people manage the symptoms and emotional impact of Parkinson’s. 

Delivered by Parkinson’s UK Cymru in partnership with Choirs for Good, the project welcomed 49 people living with the condition across three locations in Wales, as well as their carers, between January and April 2025. The project culminated in a showcase performance at the Senedd on 1 April to mark the start of World Parkinson’s Month.

Survey data collected at the start and end of the programme demonstrates a clear positive improvement in their wellbeing. Participants with Parkinson’s reported a 20 per cent improvement in self-rated physical health, and a 24 per cent increase in voice control and vocal strength. Almost all (95 per cent) felt their vocal ability had improved and 97 per cent, including carers, said their wellbeing, anxiety or depression had improved as a direct result of the choir.

Now, organisers are keen to continue the choir and expand its reach into other parts of the country. The Arts Council of Wales has confirmed funding for the next stage of ParkinSings’ development. 

Ruth Haugen, Impact Manager and Choir Leader in Bridgend and Swansea for Choirs for Good, said "ParkinSings has shown just how transformative group singing can be for people living with long-term health conditions. We’ve seen people gain confidence, improve vocal strength and build new friendships. Proof, if we still need it, that singing together can have a profound impact on our wellbeing".

Rosie Dow, Head of Arts, Health and Wellbeing at the Arts Council of Wales, added: "We’re delighted to see such compelling evidence of the difference creative participation can make to people’s health and wellbeing. ParkinSings is just one beautiful example of the many different kinds of projects we are privileged to support through our Arts, Health and Wellbeing National Lottery Fund. As the fund reopens today, we encourage partnerships across Wales to come forward with bold, inclusive ideas that use the arts to improve people’s health and wellbeing and strengthen communities in the process." 

You can find out more about ParkinSings and see the full evaluation here.