Flutterby Music’s Singing Mamas
Timetable
Monday mornings- Medway
Wednesday afternoons - Canterbury
Thursday mornings - Maidstone
“Singing with other people is one of my joys in life! I know that if I don’t sing regularly then my mood is affected. I’m keen to spread this power of the voice to other women – to help brighten their day, nourish their being, and bring a moment of calm, as well as build a community of support. I hope that you come and give it a go – disregard that “I can’t sing” voice in your head, and come and see how you sound in a supportive and non-judgemental group.”
Singing Mamas invites you to join us each week for 90 minutes of precious ‘me-time’. Whether you’ve never sung before or are a seasoned pro, you’ll be made very welcome.
There’s no ‘spotlight’, no audition, just an opportunity to forget the stresses of life, to sing for yourself, for each other and just ‘be’.
It's a safe and welcoming space to connect with women in your community, to sing for fun, to improve your well-being and mental health and to have time to focus on you.
All women welcome - whatever age or stage you are in life, bringing babies or children, or coming on your own - just as you are.
Includes a cup of tea and a piece of cake - put into your hand (let us take care of you for a change!)
Flutterby Music’s Singing Mamas group is part of a network of groups around the UK and Internationally.
Singing Mamas is a movement made up of nurses, doctors, midwives, musicians, teachers and community workers who are all committed to improving the wellbeing of women through singing.
We exist because suicide is the leading cause of death for women during pregnancy and one year after birth and because singing is clinically proven to reduce symptoms of postnatal depression faster than the usual forms of treatment.
Each week Singing Mamas leaders work across the UK delivering groups to hundreds of women. Our approach uses the NHS 5 ways to wellbeing which means that participating mothers:
• Feel more connected to each other and their baby.
• Improve breathing, posture and muscle tension and physical
wellbeing.
• Stimulates cognitive function through learning new songs.
• Give and receive from others and feel a sense of community.
• Pay attention to the present moment and reduce stress hormone levels.
COURAGE
We empower women to grow together, uphold and inspire one another with deep care and practice from a place of self-awareness.
CONNECTION
We lead from the heart, push the boundaries of our creativity and willingly step into discomfort.
INCLUSIVITY
We believe that singing is for all, and that singing can unite, and we work to make this a reality.
Bursary spaces
Applying for a bursary
Singing and connection is so vital to mental health - particularly that of mothers - and it is important that women who need to access these groups do not have any barriers.
There is currently a small pot of money for bursary spaces for women who have post-natal depression or who have escaped or are trying to escape domestic violence, as well as for those in financial hardship where the concession rate cannot be afforded. The bursary fund relies on donations and the bursary place offer may need to be withdrawn if there are not sufficient donations to top it up.
Bursary spaces are initially for 1 term (2 blocks) and are reviewed after this time
You are welcome and we will support you in song and friendship. Please contact me to discuss in confidence: rachel@flutterbymusic.co.uk or 0772 4466064
Donating to the bursary fund
I would love to be able to offer a free bursary place to ANY woman who is in need. I rely on donations to the bursary fund in order to be able to do this. If you feel able to donate, it would be very much appreciated.
The Benefits of Singing
We all have vast creative potential. We all have a voice and can sing and usually the one thing which prevents us, stops us or terrifies us most is simply the idea that ‘I CAN’T SING’. At Singing Mamas everyone’s voice is welcome, each voice is valued. When we sing together, the group sound we create is relaxing, uplifting, energising and deeply nourishing.
Physical benefits
The regular practice of controlled breathing can have similar benefits to practicing yoga. It is an exercise that improves lung capacity making you feel fitter! Studies show that singing improves the overall health of the immune system. and can aid recovery from illness.
Mental Health
Singing regularly acts as a natural anti-depressant and instantly improves mood. Studies also show that singing in a group makes us use different parts of our brain at once which has many cognitive benefits -making us smarter!
Social/emotional
Singing can help you become clearer in mind, lifting the fog of life chaos and boosting confidence. When a group of singers is formed there is a unity, a coming together of positive attitudes giving each person a feeling of being spiritual uplifted!
In essence, singing makes you feel happy!
Benefits for Children
Exposing children regularly to a wide variety of songs will foster a love of music and awaken their own musical potential and will give them a head start in their own future learning of music. After a Singing Mamas it’s often said that the little ones spend the afternoon singing to themselves!
One of the gemstones of Singing Mamas is that young ones are given a positive image of women and mothers, nourishing themselves in a positive way, meeting their needs and radiantly glowing from the inside out
