The Choir with No Name runs choirs and builds joyful singing communities with people impacted by homelessness and marginalisation, around the UK.
We were founded on the premise that singing makes you feel good – it helps you to build confidence, skills and genuine, long lasting friendships. Our choir members are people who have experienced homelessness, or who are going through a tough time in their lives. Our choirs are a supportive, safe space for people to be among friends, where they can experience the joy of singing together, have fun, build confidence and skills, and feel more able to tackle life’s other challenges, such as securing housing or finding work.
What we do is simple: our choirs meet once a week for a cuppa and a catch up, we then sing our hearts out for an hour and a half, and sit down together afterwards for a hot meal cooked by volunteers.
We perform regularly at a whole load of different places, including local homeless hostels, community festivals and world-class venues, such as the Cadogan Hall and Brighton Dome. Gigs are a highlight for everyone at the Choir with No Name, offering members something to work towards together and feel proud of, showcasing their many talents to the world. The thrill of performing in front of appreciative audiences in inspirational venues can instill a sense of purpose and self worth that may have been lost along the way.
We also deliver community projects for people at risk of homelessness, or who are experiencing related issues (such as mental health challenges, drug and alcohol addiction, refugees and asylum seekers) in each of the cities where we work, motivated by a desire to share the joy of singing with as many people experiencing isolation and marginalisation as possible, and hopefully recruit a few more choir members along the way!
