Wellness with WNO is Wales’s first national socially prescribed programme, developed with and offered by all seven Welsh Health Boards. Since its inception in November 2021, 360 participants have taken part in the six-week programme, with 94% of participants reporting that the breathing techniques were effective or very effective.

The programme, which is supported by Arts Council of Wales, NHS Wales and Welsh Government, shares techniques and strategies used by professional opera singers to support breath control, lung function, circulation and posture. Sessions are delivered in Welsh or English via Zoom to enable those living with breathlessness, fatigue, anxiety and pain to have access to the programme without any barriers due to geographical location or ability to attend in person sessions.

It also focusses on increasing emotional wellbeing – with sessions introducing participants to the joy of singing, even if they have no musical background. Individuals are also provided with a means of interacting with others who may be experiencing similar challenges with Long COVID symptoms or persistent pain.

At a special event held at the Senedd today (Wednesday 20 November) sponsored by Peredur Owen Griffiths MS, WNO showcased the programme and talked about its development.

The event included interactive sessions led by one of the programme’s vocal leaders, Kate Woolveridge MBE, alongside colleagues Zoe Milton-Brown and Jenny Pearson, using breathing and singing techniques to demonstrate how the sessions run. Participants from the programme also gave first-hand accounts of how they have benefitted from it.

Feedback from participants has indicated significant improvements in mental health, with an increase in positive emotions and confidence, and reduced feelings of anxiety, depression, overthinking, and panic.

Wellness with WNO participant June Evans said:

‘The Wellness with WNO programme has genuinely changed my life. I have several serious health conditions and live with constant pain and exhaustion. I always feel better after attending a session, because my spirit is lifted, and my pain is eased. The gentle exercises and the fun of taking part distracts my mind from my pain and stress.

‘The benefits continue for days after each session, as I continue to practise the exercises and sing the songs whenever I feel my mood is lowering. And when I am struggling, my carer will start to sing one of the songs we have learnt, because he knows I won’t be able to resist joining in and that my struggles will be lessened.’

Wellness with WNO is delivered in partnership with Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, Cardiff & Vale University Health Board, Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, Hywel Dda University Health Board, Powys Teaching Health Board and Swansea Bay University Health Board. 

Peredur Owen Griffiths, Plaid Cymru MS for South Wales East, said: 

‘I’m delighted to be sponsoring the Wellness with WNO event at Senedd today. Singing has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. From school choirs through to being a member Cor CF1 to this day, I am already very familiar with the many health and emotional wellbeing benefits of singing. Whether it is taking part or spectating, singing brings joy in so many ways to people from all walks of life.

‘At a time when the arts are coming under serious financial pressure because it is not deemed to be as important as other departments, we should not overlook or underestimate the wellbeing an organisation like WNO encourages and supports. This is why I am delighted to be backing WNO’s important work at this event and in all their future endeavours.’ 

WNO hopes to include further partnerships in the future, to support as many people as possible to access the programme. They are promoting the work to high levels of interest across the medical world and have presented the programme to the Traumatic Stress Wales Network, British Psychological Society, various health services and international delegations and it was shared at the launch of Welsh Government’s national framework for social prescribing.

Plans are currently underway to expand referrals to other long-term conditions, including fibromyalgia. This is in line with Welsh Government’s development and expansion of the Adferiad (Recovery) programme for Welsh health boards to include long-term conditions whose symptoms and rehabilitation are similar.

Claire Jones, Consultant Physiotherapist said:

‘We feel very privileged to have partnered with Welsh National Opera to develop the Wellness with WNO programme, which began as a small pilot project for people with long COVID. Patients frequently tell us about how being part of this programme supports their wellbeing, contributes to improvement in symptoms and provides valuable peer support.    

‘Health boards in Wales are utilising dedicated Welsh Government funding to continue delivery of services for people with long COVID, and the services are now extending their offering to those with similar needs and symptom presentations.  It is fantastic that we have been able to continue working closely with the WNO to also expand their programme in tandem with our NHS services.’

WNO are also delivering other  new social prescribing programmes to support patients including one with young people in secondary schools who are experiencing anxiety and low confidence; developing a new partnership programme with Velindre Cancer Centre around breathlessness; and are in the early stages of producing a pilot programme for individuals in Supportive Care.

WNO Producer April Heade explains:

 ‘We know that the arts make a particularly powerful contribution to our health and wellbeing, and we have seen first hand the enormously positive impact these sessions have had on participants who have attended so far. It’s been wonderful to hear how the programme has improved people’s lives, and we’re thrilled that the programme is evolving as a rehabilitation service for other areas of health including persistent pain which is already generating excellent results.

‘We are grateful to Arts Council of Wales and our partners for their support to date but also want to future-proof funding for this programme to continue to develop it so that more people can access and benefit from this innovative service.’

Liz Clarke, Interim Programme Manager at Arts Council of Wales, said:

‘We are delighted to be supporting the Wellness with WNO programme and are continuously impressed by its evolution. It’s a remarkable example of the power of the arts to support our health and wellbeing and we can’t wait to see how the learning and experience the team have gained during the past three years can be applied to support even more people experiencing health challenges in Wales.’

Wellness with WNO has been planned with NHS medical professionals. Sessions are available both in the English and Welsh language. Further information is available via: www.wno.org.uk/wellness-with-wno