Frome singers give comfort to the dying

People receiving end-of-life care are being offered moments of peace by the Frome branch of a national choir.

Frome’s Companion Voices sing lullabies around bedsides to bring calm and joy, offering a free service to anyone who requests it for their loved one.

The group is led by Celia Libera, who is keen to hear from potential singers. She said, “All we ask for is the ability to hold a tune and blend your voice with those of other people.”

The local group currently has 10 members and meets on the third Monday of the month in The Good Heart on Palmer Street, with additional meetings held in members’ homes.

Companion Voices generally offer three to five of their members to sing at a bedside and are careful to ensure that the request comes from a close relative or carer, so that they can be confident it is what the dying person would want.

The group recently sang to residents at Rowden House and was then asked by the care home’s oldest resident to sing again for her the following week.

Celia said, “It is always such a privilege and an amazing experience to gift songs to people in this way. We would be delighted to hear from others who would like to benefit. Whether it is at home, in hospital, a hospice or a care home, we are more than happy to come to you.”

They choose simple, soothing songs that cross faiths, and in a number of languages, including African Swahili and Yoruba, Estonian, Hebrew, Arabic, Serbo-Croat, and, of course, English.

National founder of Companion Voices, Judith Silver, set up the organisation 12 years ago after being inspired by a group originally formed in California as the Threshold Choir. There are already a dozen Companion Voices groups in England, including one in Bristol.

Judith shared the importance of music in touching people’s hearts. She said, “At the point of being on your deathbed, the response to music can be so central, even for those with dementia. They might not remember your name but can sing all the words of a song they know. And we want it to be intimate. We don’t want to sound like a polished choir giving a performance but like loving friends and family gathering to sing for somebody.”

“For the listener who might not know the language, the harmony singing can sound like a piece of instrumental music and because the words and melodies are unfamiliar, they don’t struggle to remember associations with songs they know, or try to make meaning of the words,” said Judith. “The listener need only let the sounds wash over them to help them relax.”

Anyone wishing to contact the Frome Companion Voices can do so on frome@companionvoices.org

Pictured: Frome’s Companion Voices