SIXTEEN people with Parkinson’s Disease are being taught to improve their speech by combining voice therapy with singing.

A new six-week course is being organised by Debra Borsley, speech and language therapist at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, in partnership with singer Rhiannon Gayle and with the support of the Skipton branch of Parkinson’s UK.

The course started at the beginning of the month and will run until December 8 at the Aire Unit in the Trust’s Day Hospital for the Elderly with each session lasting two hours. The aims are to improve vocal loudness, pitch range and control, breath control, facial mobility and to have an impact on confidence and wellbeing.

Participants – 12 men and four women, aged between 60 and 78 – are from the local area coming from places as far afield as Addingham to Austwick.

Debra said: “Many people with Parkinson’s Disease have a quiet voice. Sometimes they can sing loudly but when it comes to speaking, the level of their voice drops. There is evidence that intensive effortful voice practice can have a significant impact on vocal loudness and so we are trying to help them combine voice therapy and singing to improve day to day conversation. Singing can also have a very positive impact on your mood and wellbeing.”

All participants have been pre-assessed to be given individual targets and daily communications tasks. The aim is to improve voice and to give participants techniques to help them maintain the volume of their voice for as long as possible.

Rhiannon Gayle set up Rock up and Sing community choirs to make music and singing accessible to everyone and has also previously been involved with a Parkinson’s Choir in Harrogate.

Paul Thuilliez, of Burley-in-Wharfedale, is a member of the singing group. He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s eight years ago and suffered loss of speech. However through singing his speech has improved.

Last month Paul and his wife Corine organised a choral concert at The Queens Hall in Burley-in-Wharfedale, which raised £3,000 to help other Parkinson’s sufferers through promoting voice therapy and singing.

For more information, contact Debra on 01535 292756.