Standing Together to Stay Well this Winter

The NHS in Northamptonshire has taken an innovative approach to encourage local people to look after their health this winter to support the national campaign, Stay Well This Winter.
An older man crouching down and holding a young child.

NHS Nene CCG and NHS Corby CCG have been working in partnership with musician, Chris Startup who has written a song ‘We Stand Together – Stay Well this Winter’ for this year’s campaign. The song is performed by Singing 4 Breathing, a local choir that supports patients with breathing difficulties, like COPD and asthma.

Dr Naomi Caldwell, Clinical Executive for Primary Care and local GP said:

“Winter is the busiest time for the NHS as the colder weather can be very harmful to the most vulnerable members of our community, often resulting in admissions to hospital.

“Every year the NHS runs a campaign to provide practical tips and support about how people can stay well over the winter months and this year we’ve decided to provide this advice in the form of a specially commissioned song and video.

“We are delighted to have worked with Chris Startup and the Singing 4 Breathing choir, who will also be taking the campaign on the road and be undertaking some live performances across the county.” 

The Singing 4 Breathing choir was set-up in 2015 by James Wyatt an Occupational therapist from Northampton to support patients diagnosed with breathing difficulties such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and asthma. COPD causes long-term damage to the lungs and people with the condition often experience chronic breathlessness. The group now has 100 members and meets at locations across Northamptonshire and is open to all ages.

“Singing in a choir, such as Singing 4 Breathing, not only improves someone’s physical well-being but it can also have psychological and social benefits. Meeting together and singing with like-minded people is great fun and many members say that the choir is the highlight of their week!”

James Wyatt