Information
About The Cheyne Gang
The Cheyne Gang, so called because we held our first sessions in Cheyne Street, Edinburgh and because our members shared the common bond of COPD, originated in 2013 as a research project. Pauline Waugh, Anne Ritchie and Sarah Marshall are General Practice Nurses with an interest in COPD and other respiratory illnesses. They also enjoy singing in their leisure time.
The aim of the research was to look at the impact of singing in a group on the quality of life of the participants. We continue to assess quality of life of our participants today although the research project is finished.
We know that there have been measurable improvements on quality of life for the majority of our members.
Incidentally we noted a reduction in exacerbations (chest infections), a reduction in reliever inhaler use and a reduction in hospital admissions.
From small beginnings we have grown. We now have three groups in Edinburgh, one in Innerleithen, and one in Glasgow with plans to start a Highland group in 2023. In addition we support one group in Helensburgh and one in Forfar.
So if you are breathless, or know someone who would benefit from joining the Cheyne Gang, please contact us. See details on the Contact page.
Where and when to find your nearest Cheyne Gang
Stockbridge Lifecare Centre,
2 Cheyne Street, Edinburgh EH4 1JB
14:15 - 16:15 on alternate Mondays
St John’s Colinton Mains Church,
223 Oxgangs Road North, Edinburgh EH13 9ED
11:00 - 13:00 on alternate Mondays
Duncan Place Community Hub,
4 Duncan Place, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 8HW
11:45 - 13:45 on alternate Mondays
Innerleithen Parish Church,
Leithen Road, Innerleithen, Peeblesshire EH44 6HX
13:00 - 15:00 on alternate Tuesdays
Reidvale Community Centre
13 Whitevale Street, Dennistoun, Glasgow G31 1QW.
14:00 - 16:00 on alternate Tuesdays
Edinburgh groups meet on Mondays during the day
Innerleithen group meets on alternate Tuesday afternoons.
The Dennistoun group meets on alternate Tuesday afternoons
For full details please contact one of the team - details on the Contact page of this site
Cheyne Gang Supporters
We have received grants from the following sources between July 2020 and December 2022. We are very grateful for this financial support.
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Covid 19 support for communities fund
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Edinburgh University Community Grant Scheme
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Tesco Groundworks
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National Lottery Recovery Scheme
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Swinton Paterson Trust
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Edinburgh Council Fund Southside and Newington
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Local Giving ‘Magic Little Grants’
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Mental health and wellbeing Scottish Borders
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Edinburgh Council Inverleith Neighbourhood Partnership
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Tweed Valley Neighbourhood Grant
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Edinburgh and Lothian Trust Fund
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Glasgow Winter Wellbeing Fund
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Pump House Charity
The Cheyne Gang would also like to acknowledge the following organisations, who have provided support both financial and moral over the past 7 years.
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The Queens Nursing Institute for Scotland was the first organisation to recognise the potential in the work that Pauline, Anne and Sarah proposed. They provided the grant for the initial research project and continue to show an interest in our work.
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Edinburgh and Lothians Health Foundation provided a grant
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The Scottish Government awarded us a Section 16B grant
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The Scottish Practice Nurse Association awarded us a grant and invited us to sing at their 2016 conference
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Our current hosts have been supportive and encouraging - thank you all.
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Thank you to Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland for their ongoing support and encouragement.
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A big thank you to EPSRC Proteus Interdisciplinary Research Collaboration - Our Health for inviting us to take part in their research.
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To the members of Traquair Community Choir and Sing in the City Choirs for their unwavering encouragement and support for our groups.
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Irene Watson - our fabulous quilter x
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Gillian McLaren Scott of McLaren Scott Vocals - her help has, and continues to be invaluable to our voice coaches and the wider team.
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Ian Rankin - Author of the Rebus Books for his kind donation and support.
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Ian McLeod and his team at Elmbank Print in Peebles have provided us with excellent service, particularly since the start of the lockdown in March.
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We are grateful to The Soap Farm for their ongoing support.
Board of Trustees
Our board of Trustees: -
Pauline Waugh - Chair
Sarah Marshall - Secretary
Jane Howe - Business Advisor
Lenny Love - Member Representative
Margaret Laurence - Member Representative
Our annual report to the OSCR can be found below
The Cheyne Gang SCIO single tier constitution_EVOC
The Cheyne Gang Team:
Pauline Waugh is a General Practice Nurse in Edinburgh and is the Lead Cheyne Gang Co-ordinator (THE BOSS!). Professionally she has an interest in Respiratory Medicine. She is a member of the Sing in the City Aw Blacks Choir
Anne Ritchie is a retired General Practice Nurse with a Specialist interest in Respiratory Medicine. She sings with the Traquair Community Choir and is Co-ordinator for the Charteris Centre Cheyne Gang
Kathy Stewart-Kennedy is a Singer/Songwriter and music teacher with an interest in Singing for Health. She is the Lead Voice Coach for the Cheyne Gang
Caro Overy is a singing teacher who leads choirs and singing groups in Edinburgh. She is the Voice Coach for the Leith Group.
Sophie Boyd is a singer, choir leader and PhD student. Sophie is the Voice Coach for the Glasgow Group.
Clare Watson is training with the Cheyne Gang at the moment but is an experienced Natural Voice Practitioner with many years of experience.
Janice Merrick is a General Practice Nurse in Dennistoun in Glasgow. She supports Sophie with the Glasgow group
Fiona Halliday is a General Practice Nurse in Coldstream. She supports Clare with the Coldstream group.
Jaci Cunningham is a retired Learning Disabilities Charge Nurse and is a member of the Sing in the City Aw Blacks Choir. She is the Administrator for the Colinton Mains/Oxgangs Cheyne Gang
Joan Rowley is a retired teacher and is the Administrator for the Borders Cheyne Gang.
Annie McKenzie worked with children with special needs and is now retired. She is a swimming teacher and loves singing. Annie is the Administrator for the Leith Group
The CG Team is supported in their work by Loretta Dunn, Gillian McLaren Scott, Jane Howe and Gary Tait.