Voices raised for festive season: Sutton Coldfield Community Choir performing

Charitable trust award hits the right note for singers

Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust, which exists to enhance the quality of life for all in Sutton Coldfield, has granted funds to Sutton Coldfield Community Choir (SCCC), allowing them to ‘survive’ post-pandemic and amidst the current cost-of-living crisis.

The Trust has a heritage going back almost 500 years and offers a broad range of grant categories to benefit Sutton Coldfield and its residents. The emergency grant was awarded to SCCC under the relief of need category which the Trust offers to support the relief of hardship across a range of factors such as youth, age, ill-health, disability, financial hardship or another disadvantage.

SCCC received a grant worth £3,000 to help with purchasing essential new equipment, as well as a full term of room rental for the choir to rehearse in.

Ann Regan, Communications and Concert Manager of SCCC, said: “During the Covid-19 pandemic, we were unable to rehearse for twelve to eighteen months and couldn’t recruit new members during this time – we were worried we were going to have to fold the choir.

“Like many organisations during the pandemic, we lost membership, but we have been working hard to ensure that we keep going – especially during the current climate.

“People need activities like this, to support both themselves and others. It’s important to gather people together as a friendship group, and our choir thrives off being a sociable choir that is inclusive, and people can come and just enjoy themselves.

“Our choir is open to singers of all abilities, but it’s not just a choir – it’s something for the community to participate in and benefit from. We’re so thankful to Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust for allowing us to continue our group and giving something back to the local community, and we’re also looking for new members if anyone would like to get involved.”

Each year, SCCC picks to support a local charity of its choice and raise money throughout the year to donate the total to their chosen charity.

The choir fundraises through a variety of different activities and events such as concerts, raffles, cake sales and regular quiz nights.

The most significant events of the year are summer and Christmas concerts, where the 50 strong choir, pianist and choirmaster perform to raise money for their selected charity.

Last year, SCCC chose to support a small charity called Acacia, the services of which are available to parents and guardians in Birmingham who are experiencing pre and postnatal depression and anxiety.

In 2021 the charity of choice was Midland’s Freewheelers, a group of retired motorbike enthusiasts who deliver blood and vital medication – the choir raised £3500 through fundraising.

For further information about Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust and how to apply for grants, please visit: http://www.suttoncoldfieldcharitabletrust.com/alms-houses.htm, or to find out more information on the Sutton Coldfield Community Choir, please visit: suttonmusicservice.org.uk/singing/sutton- community-choir/.

For further information about Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust and how to apply for grants, please visit: http://www.suttoncoldfieldcharitabletrust.com/alms-houses.htm, or to find out more information on the Sutton Coldfield Community Choir, please visit: suttonmusicservice.org.uk/singing/sutton- community-choir/.