A music coach has been using singing as a way to help people recover from a range of conditions including ‘long Covid’. Editor Trevor Brookes caught up with Rosie Bradford.
WHEN the pandemic struck last spring, Rosie Bradford decided to use the time to learn new skills.
She dived in to learn the tricks of social media and how to teach singing online, culminating in the launch of her business, Happy in Harmony. It had a simple aim – to make people feel good by learning to sing and play the piano.
She began working with The TCR Hub, in Barnard Castle, on the “But First Pause” project, which was funded by the National Lottery to help people affected by Covid-19.
In total, she helped 20 people learn the joy of singing, ranging from a respiratory nurse who has worked in the hospital in full PPE throughout the pandemic to an asthma sufferer with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and a man who thought he couldn’t sing for 50 years but is now inspired to join a choir.
One person stood out – Ruth, an NHS physiotherapist who caught Covid-19 working in hospital. After several months off work, she was still struggling to breathe and it became clear that she was living with long Covid.
Singing became the prescription.
Rosie, 36, said: “Most people only use a small part of their lungs but to get the best sound, you need to use more. Singing teaches people how to increase their lung capacity which is ideal for Covid.
“Ruth was in a bad way. She was visibly exhausted. Just as Covid-19 affects more than just the lungs, singing helps more than just breathing. In the six weeks that we worked together, Ruth also saw significant improvements in her ability to concentrate.
“Music helps the different sides of our brain talk to each other, building new connections between them. Singing in particular requires us to do many things all at once. Singing is good for your brain.”
And so it proved for Ruth, who is now back at work.
“She’s amazing – she really put in the effort for the sessions at a time when just getting out of a bed was challenging,” Rosie said.
Rosie is keen to spread the word about how singing can help people deal with illnesses such as asthma and long Covid.
“It’s getting more widely known but it’s still surprises people when I tell them.
“My mission is to get the message across about the benefits of having good lung capacity. All of us have good lungs at some point but many of us have forgotten how to use them. Just think how loud babies can cry,” says Rosie.
It’s a lesson Rosie learnt when she was a child after her father suffered a major asthma attack.
“He was dead in the ambulance – they said he was very lucky to pull through.
“As he was recovering, they asked him if by any chance he played a brass instrument. He did – it saved his life,” said Rosie who also believes singing can also help sports lovers to increase their lung capacity.
Rosie also points out that opera singers train on treadmills.
“When you move, it gives you adrenalin – you can start to prepare for what some people feel is performance anxiety. You can overcome the physical response to having nerves on stage,” says Rosie.
“There are just so many positive things singing can do. Whatever sort of day you’ve had, after five minutes of singing, you’re having fun. You move your body, get more air in, make melodies and feel good.”
The “But First Pause” project has finished for now but Rosie and TCR Hub are looking at ways to continue the good work.
“There’s a genuine need to help people with their well-being and we’ve got a few ideas,” said Rosie who has a studio at the Hub where she teaches music to her students, now in person as restrictions are being lifted.
In recent months, Rosie has set up a community choir in her home village of Manfield and has been asked to lead another in Shildon.
She also has an outdoor performance scheduled at The Witham this summer and last year worked with the Northern Heartlands art project to put on a virtual community opera.
The pandemic has been life changing.
Rosie said: “I decided to go part time in my job last year and I’ve grown my business during Covid.
“Last year was a challenge but I invested in my business and had a lot of fun. It’s paid off. It means I can help people through music. I’m now looking to work with GPs and the NHS because it’s clear the difference music can make.
Many people are struggling with their mental heath but singing can make them feel good and they can take that into the rest of their life. Music is what I’m here for.”
