A new choir is starting in Edinburgh for relatives and friends who look after children in their families where a parent is unable to do so.
Circle – a Scottish charity which supports such ‘kinship carers’ – has won Big Lottery funding for the project, which starts on 9 September in St Andrew’s and St George’s West Church on George Street.
The choir will meet weekly on Tuesday mornings (10.00am–noon), is free to join, and requires no audition or previous singing experience. It will be run by singer-songwriter Kirsty Baird, who is already experienced through her work in Edinburgh with the Sing in the City group of choirs.
She says ‘Sing in the City choirs are successful because they are fun, and they provide people from all walks of life in Edinburgh with the opportunity to sing together, to make new friends, and to have a special time just for them away from work and family cares at least once a week’.
The choir aims to promote wellbeing, relieve stress, and establish a performing group which can raise the profile of kinship carers. The focus is on making the experience enjoyable for participants and audiences alike.
Circle reckons there are over a thousand kinship carers across Edinburgh. It aims to improve networking and support for them in what can be a challenging and socially isolating role.
For more information, contact Maggie on Tel. 0131 557 1116 or Mob. 075031 75418 or email kinchoir@outlook.com
