After its summer break, Harmless’ Choir for Hope returns on Tuesday 8th September, inviting people to connect, listen, sing and simply spend time with others in a warm, welcoming space. No auditions, no assessments and no pressure – just come as you are.
Sometimes taking the first step towards better mental health can feel like the hardest part.Traditional mental health services can feel daunting, particularly if you are anxious, overwhelmed, isolated or simply tired of having to explain how you feel. You might not want an assessment. You might not want to talk. You might not even think of yourself as someone who needs a mental health service.
That’s exactly why our Choir for Hope is different. Led by experienced choirmaster Kari Olsen-Porthouse, it offers a relaxed, low-pressure space where people can come together through music and connection. You don’t need to be a confident singer or want to sing at all, and no one will ask you to share your story.
You can sing loudly, hum quietly, sit at the back with a cup of tea or simply listen. There is no pressure to perform or participate in any particular way. The choir is about creating a sense of belonging, routine and connection – things that can make a real difference when life feels difficult or lonely. No referral. No pressure. Just come along.
There is no clinical assessment when you arrive and no expectation that you need to explain what is happening in your life. For people who have found traditional mental health services difficult to access, the choir offers another kind of front door.
Harmless staff and clinicians are available if you want to have a quiet conversation or ask for some guidance. If you don’t, that’s completely fine too. The aim is to create a space that feels human rather than clinical.
The choir can also offer valuable support for people who are currently waiting for mental health services because waiting shouldn’t mean waiting alone. Being on a waitlist can leave people feeling stuck or isolated. Choir for Hope provides somewhere to go in the meantime – a chance to get out of the house, meet people, hear some music and be part of a community.
Equally, you don’t have to be waiting for support to join. If you’re already having therapy or receiving mental health care, the choir can provide something different: an opportunity to connect with people, have some fun and build a life beyond appointments.
Because getting better isn’t only about talking about what’s difficult. Sometimes it’s about remembering how to laugh, sing, connect and simply be around other people.
Measurable Impact
Harmless measures all of its work, including the Choir for Hope. Our data shows that, on average, 94% of the measures used show a positive change from pre-session to post-session for people attending the choir. This gives us encouraging evidence of the positive difference the choir is making for the people who come along.
Most importantly, Choir for Hope is a place where you can come exactly as you are. Whether you want to sing your heart out, quietly join in, have a cup of tea or simply sit and listen, you are very welcome. So, as the choir returns on 8th September, why not take that first step and come along? There’s no pressure, no expectations and no need to be a great singer – just a warm welcome and a space for you.
The choir runs fortnightly on Tuesdays 2pm–3.30pm at East Leake Pavilion, Costock Road, East Leake, Loughborough LE12 6LY. Click the button below for full details.
