Friendships and singing at People’s Show Choir ‘has helped me through tough times’

Emergency services worker Lucy Ford has spent around 18 months in The People’s Show Choir(TPSC) and already it has made a huge difference to her life.

“Camaraderie and friendship” are the two words that come to mind when she thinks about how she has benefitted from being part of TPSC. Yet, she also impresses on me how choir has a positive effect on mental health and has helped her through “tough times”.

You can tell that by some of her favourite photos from her time at TPSC, all wide smiles and huddling up to the camera with many new friends she has made.

Lucy shares her time between two choirs through TPSC. There’s her work choir at West Midlands Fire Service, known as the Choir Brigade, that she does on Tuesdays. It’s small and intimate for current and former employees, but they like to socialise together too, connecting over their years in the emergency services.

Lucy’s Evening Choir: TPSC at West Bromwich

Then there is Lucy’s evening choir, TPSC at West Bromwich, which is much larger and meets every Wednesday at 7pm for an hour and a half in All Saints Parish Church.

“I want to get across to people how much they can get out of being in TPSC,” explained Lucy, aged 39 from Dudley. “For friendships, camaraderie, even for mental health.

“I’ve been through some tough times recently and the choir is getting me through it. It’s been great. It’s helped me come out of a fairly dark patch in my life. It really makes a difference.

“Sometimes, if I’ve had a really rubbish week and I think I’m not sure I want to go, I get there and everyone is like family. It’s such a lovely atmosphere.”

“I’ve made some amazing friends along the way,” Lucy added: “The People’s Show Choir is different from any other choirs I’ve been in because there’s no auditions and no pressure to be able to sing.

“It’s nice to be able to belt out a song, even if you’re not that good a singer. TPSC is all about you just enjoying yourself. It’s wonderful and gives people the opportunity to express themselves and be themselves.”

From Fire Service Call Centre to Choir Stage

Lucy worked in West Midlands Fire Service’s call centre answering emergency calls for 11 years before moving into the department that does first aid training. She added: “I always liked shows and musicals so to be part of the People’s Show Choir is music to my ears.

“Along with songs from the shows, we also sing pop hits, which I like although it’s not the sort of thing I thought I’d ever sing.

“The two choirs are very different for me. At the Choir Brigade, we have the Fire Service in common and there’s only around eight of us who go out together.

“While at West Bromwich, there’s people who I wouldn’t normally meet, from all walks of life, who I have got to know. The choir leader Charlotte Champneys is superb and just so brilliant.”

Memorable Performances and International Tours

Lucy already has many fond memories at TPSC including the large mass concert at Birmingham Symphony Hall, where she met TPSC singers from across the country. She also ventured to Poland for the Krakow International Tour with TPSC and The People’s Orchestra members that she loved so much, she is eager to go again next year.

“I’ve ended up encouraging other people to become new members in Coventry and they have loved it too,” explained Lucy. “For me, that feels great.

“The People’s Show Choir is perfect for me and hits all the right buttons.”

Find out where your local People’s Show Choir is here. Choirs meet nationwide from London to Cheltenham, Birmingham and Scotland.