Keeping the Music Going at Wee Singalong Group
On a typical week at Dundasvale Hall, laughter, conversation and song fill the room.
Run by Queens Cross Community Foundation, the Wee Singalong Group brings local residents together through music, friendship and connection. Created as a welcoming space for adults in the community, the group offers relaxed, supportive weekly sessions led by a professional music facilitator. With light refreshments, familiar faces and a warm atmosphere, it has become an important part of many peoples’ weekly routines.
For some people, it is their only regular chance to socialise. Over time, the group has become much more than a singing session. Songs often lead to shared stories, new friendships and a stronger sense of belonging beyond the hall. Participants encourage one another, celebrate small moments and enjoy the simple pleasure of being together.
Community singing practitioners often point to the wider wellbeing benefits of singing together. Familiar songs can spark memories and help people reconnect with past experiences, feelings and stories. For many participants, singing well-known songs brings comfort and nostalgia, while singing as part of a group can improve mood, confidence and overall wellbeing.
Like many grassroots community projects, however, the group’s future has not always been secure. It had previously received support from the National Lottery Community Fund, but when that funding ended, Queens Cross Community Foundation faced a familiar challenge: how to keep a valued project running while seeking new support. Grassroots initiatives often deliver meaningful local impact, yet they can be held back by limited resources, rising costs and short-term funding cycles. Despite this, the organisation remained committed to continuing the Wee Singalong Group, knowing that even a temporary pause could risk losing the relationships and trust built over time.
Support from Lintel Trust helped bridge that gap. A £1,000 grant enabled the sessions to continue during an uncertain period, giving the organisation breathing space while it explored longer-term funding options.
One participant summed it up simply:
“I am not a singer, but it has helped me socially and with my asthma.”
Moments like this show the ripple effect of small community initiatives. What may look like a weekly singing session is, for many, a lifeline to community, wellbeing and connection. The £1,000 grant may be modest, but its impact has been significant: helping the music continue, the conversations carry on and the doors of Dundasvale Hall stay open for those who need them.
