1. The work of the Sidney De Haan Research Centre for Arts & Health
Dr Ann Skingley
Apologies from Stephen unable to be here
Introduce self – researcher at SDH for about 10 years.
Aim to cover what Stephen had planned – brief background to centre, overview of research areas, focus on one specific area.
Reports can be downloaded from website.

2. The Sidney De Haan Research Centre for Arts & Health
Established in 2004 with funding from Roger De Haan Family Trust
Cross-faculty programme of seminars, workshops and commissioned research
Further core funding from Oak Foundation
Focus on the contribution of music and other participative arts activities in promoting the well-being and health of individuals and communities
Origins in small-scale exploratory study by Clift & Hancox in 2001 on perceived benefits of singing to choral singers
2003 – with support from Creative Foundation in Folkestone a research unit established there
Programme of work initially included: a cross national survey of effects of choral singing on health & wellbeing, a systematic mapping & review of evidence related to value of singing for wellbeing & health and evaluation of participative singing for older people (Silver Song clubs).
Further support from TVB and Stuart Brown (Making Music SouthEast).
Move to UCF then to office in Creative Quarter

3. Main areas of research activity
Singing for wellbeing
Older people in the community
Mental health service users
Older people with COPD
NHS staff
People with long term conditions
Military wives
Dance and health
People with dementia
Older people in the community
Other areas
Cultural value in coastal towns
Music for early years
Conferences, seminars, journal, RSPH SIG, PhD supervision

4. Singing for COPD in East Kent
6 groups established and n=121 consented
Non-controlled feasibility study
Spirometry, at baseline and study end
QoL questionnaires (SGRQ) & written comments at 3 points
90 min weekly singing sessions over 30 weeks including breathing exercises
One third dropped out over course of study
FEV1 and FVC values improved over 10 months
QoL scores improved
Participants reported psychological and social benefits and improvements in managing breathing

5. Singing for COPD in Lambeth and Southwark
To test transferability of E. Kent model to an area with a different socio-demographic profile
To include an assessment of cost-effectiveness of singing groups for people with COPD
To explore the place of singing within the established care pathway for people with COPD
4 groups in community and healthcare settings with 60 participants recruited
42 completing follow-up assessments
FEV1 no change, FEV1/FVC improved
SGRQ unchanged
Significant reduction in ‘severe’ attacks and improvement in number of ‘good’ days over a year

6. Singing for COPD Participant comments
when I'm singing I can sing without taking a breath longer, whereas before it was [gasping] ….. So that's definitely made a difference.
when I first had it [inhaler] I did use it quite a lot, but now I don't use it, not often during the day but sometimes, about three times a week … I definitely haven't used it as much, I haven't had to.
I really do think it's a feel good factor. I don't think I can sing I'm not kidding myself, but I enjoy it you know.
It's as if we all carry each other along, and you see other people struggling with their breath, and you don't feel so alone, you know, and you feel encouraged to really try.
  every time I leave here I have this feeling of almost jubilation you know, but it's a lovely feeling you feel that you've done something you've achieved something, and you hope that you've helped someone else along.

7. Sidney De Haan Research Centre for Arts & Health
Administrator Di White: