A brand new, standalone charity project is now recruiting in the Harrogate area - to bring local men together whilst also fundraising for men's mental health.
‘Sing When You’re Winning’ will be a 10-week course bringing together local men for a sociable and unusual fundraising challenge in aid of Andy’s Man Club.
The project is seeking 40 men to meet up on a weekly basis from April 22nd: to learn to sing together and then perform in a charity concert at Harrogate’s West Park Centre.
Volunteers, with a variety of some, little or no experience of singing, will be guided through a mixture of musical styles by a professional musical team at St Robert’s Social Club in Harrogate. The culmination of the project will be a fundraising concert in July.
Spearheading the project, local performer and conductor Richard Kay said:
“Many young men stop singing in their teenage years and only return to it later in life, if at all.
"Of those who do take it up, so many wish they had given it a try sooner.
"Having experienced first hand how beneficial singing in a group can be for both mental and physical wellbeing, Andy’s Man Club seems the perfect charity to support as I urge men to shake off the winter blues and join me in trying something new.”
The free-to-attend sessions will demand nothing more than your time and enthusiasm and it is hoped that in highlighting the work of the designated charity then it can support in more ways than simply raising money.
Andy’s Man Club offers free, confidential support groups for men who are struggling with their mental health. It’s a safe, non-judgemental space to talk, listen, and realise you’re not alone. It’s okay to talk.
Richard said:
“It’s also okay for men to sing and the power and impact of a group of voices together can eclipse any initial concerns about individual ability levels.
"Nobody embarks on a charity run thinking they are the greatest athletes and yet, with everybody starting from scratch, nobody needs to be left behind and great things can be achieved.”
Early sign-up Paul Boothman agrees. He said:
“The chance to meet and share this experience with friends and strangers is something I am very much looking forward to."
There are no expectations placed upon anyone but to come and have fun: to sing, learn music and perform all the while making memories and new friends is an opportunity not to be missed.
Whilst a separate project in its own right, ‘SWYW’ is being supported by Harrogate Male Voice Choir, of whom Kay is Musical Director.
HMVC member Andy Mudd recalls taking part in a similar project led by Gareth Malone. He said:
“In 2016 Gareth requested through BLESMA, the military charity for amputees, for volunteers to join his project. I picked up the challenge having sung in the Parish Choir in Knaresborough as a teenager. I had not sung anything for 40 years.
"It was a daunting challenge for a limbless chap in a wheelchair to sing in a choir in front of different audiences.” Andy recalls. “I sang with the Invictus Games Choir for about 5 years.
"Now I sing in the tenor section of the HMVC. A fabulous choir making great music - let me pinch myself!"
Singers have until the end of March to sign up. For more information and to sign up, visit the form online or contact swywharrogate@gmail.com.
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