Richard, Cardiff
I’ve sung all my life so, when I heard about the Choir with No Name in Cardiff I thought it could be for me. Within ten-minutes of being in the rehearsal room I was absolutely in love with the choir. I was on cloud nine and since that first session I haven’t stopped going.
The best thing about being part of the choir is the confidence it gives me. We’re not just friends, I count the choir as family. With everyone at choir behind me I’ve been inspired to start finding out who I really am. Before now I don’t think I knew, but I’m on a different path now. I’ve broken a 25-year cycle with drugs and honestly, I don’t think I could have done it without the choir.
When I talk to other people who aren’t sure if The Choir with No Name is for them I say, ‘just come along once! I’ll sit next to you and if you don’t like it you don’t have to come back’. I’ve encouraged a few people to join and so far, they’ve all kept coming back! I also tell them there’s free coffee and a hot meal at the end. I think that helps - It’s a winning combination food and singing.
I’m looking forward to the choir growing, being able to reach more people and for us to flourish and be stronger together. People need to know that singing in a choir is not intimidating, they won’t be judged and that they’re welcome.