Trust nightingales' Southbank songs

Trust Carer's Lead Anna Chan performing her song
Trust Carer's Lead Anna Chan performing her song

Earlier this year Oxleas Exchange reported on a unique project called ‘Songs of Affliction’ which involved staff, carers and service users writing their personal experiences of illness and care.

Guided by Dr Pauline Cooper, a head occupational therapist at Oxleas, they worked with John Browne, Composer in Residence at the Florence Nightingale School of Nursing and Midwifery at King’s College London, who set their stories to music.

The group performed their songs in the chapel of King’s College accompanied by the King’s College Symphony Orchestra.

The project culminated recently with a final performance at an event called ‘A Nightingale Sang’ at London’s Southbank Centre, in which some of the singers reprised their songs.

Anna Chan, Oxleas’ Carers’ Lead, was once again joined by ex-service user Kathleen Kennedy and Nicky, a Bromley service user and member of the Community Options Choir. To help them prepare for the big event, Pauline worked with Cameron Reynolds who was managing the project for King’s, and provided a number of voice coaching sessions with Rebecca Baxter to help them develop their stories through song.

The concert focused on the relationship between the voice and wellbeing and, taking as its inspiration pioneering nurse Florence Nightingale, was a moving reflection on the nature of empathy.

The Oxleas trio joined several choirs, dance and percussion groups. All three felt that their confidence and self esteem had grown through the project and were delighted to have taken part. Though Maria and Kim, who had been singers in the original Songs of Affliction performance, were unable to take part, one of the choirs sang their songs. In this way they remained an integral part of the project.

According to Anna: “It was a great opportunity to tell my story in a short space of time to a large audience – and with emotion. It has given me an excuse to do that. I couldn’t shout at someone like I do in my song! People remember your story in a song. It’s easier to express it.” Kathy also felt it had helped her: “I’m so glad I had this chance. It’s unlocked something that wasn’t unlocked when I wrote it.” Nicky, who had family and friends there to support her, also enjoyed the night. “It was great. It felt good.” All the hard work paid off for Pauline who said that all had made great progress: “It was wonderful to see how they all grew in confidence. Each one said that the story seemed to grow within them – they really felt ownership in that they were indeed telling their personal story. It had become very important to them.”

Their achievement was recognised by members of the audience, orchestra and choirs who approached the singers at the end of the evening to express appreciation and admiration for their stories.