A new year long Singing for Lung Health pilot project is set to be launched across Tendring to support residents living with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

The initiative forms part of Tendring District Council’s (TDC) recently adopted Health and Wellbeing Strategy, which sets out a clear vision to help residents live healthier, independent and more fulfilling lives.

Funded through TDC’s Public Health Grant from Essex County Council, the project will create bespoke community singing groups in different parts of the district.

These sessions will be designed specifically for people with COPD and will be led by trained music practitioners who will receive specialist Musical Breath training.

Tendring has significantly higher rates of COPD than the Essex average, with local prevalence around 3 per cent compared to 1.86 per cent county wide. COPD is a long term condition that causes breathing difficulties and can severely impact daily life.

While there is no cure, evidence from Asthma + Lung UK shows that group singing can improve lung function, reduce breathlessness and support general wellbeing by helping people manage symptoms more effectively.

Councillor Gina Placey, TDC’s Cabinet Member for Partnerships, said she was delighted to see the project move forward.

“This pilot is a fantastic example of how creative, community based activities can make a real difference to people’s health and quality of life,” she said.

“With respiratory illness affecting so many families in Tendring, offering accessible and enjoyable support like this is incredibly important.

“It also reflects the ambition of our new Health and Wellbeing Strategy, which puts residents’ wellbeing first and takes innovative, practical approaches to supporting people with long term conditions to live healthier, fulfilled and independent lives for longer.”

The Health and Wellbeing Strategy, adopted last year following public consultation, highlights the rising levels of preventable long term conditions in the district — including COPD, asthma, hypertension and diabetes — and identifies community based support as a key opportunity to help residents maintain independence and improve quality of life.

As part of this, the Singing for Lung Health pilot will allow participants to find social connection with others who have similar lived experience, supporting their mental wellbeing as well as symptom management.

Participants will be referred into the programme by a medical professional — such as a GP or respiratory nurse — once they have been signed off to take part. The referral process is being finalised, and the groups will be safe, supportive and accessible to people with symptoms at all levels.

The pilot will run for 12 months at a cost of up to £13,200, covering practitioner appointments, training and room hire. Further details on how to take part will be announced later this year.