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Students collaborate with local community partners to secure a £5000 grant

to support people living with lung diseases during the Covid-19 pandemic.

 

Students collaborate with local community partners to secure a £5000 grant to support people living with lung diseases during the Covid-19 pandemic

The Cheyne Gang, a local community singing group, who sing for lung health, in collaboration with ‘EPSRC Our Health’ students have been awarded a £5000 grant by The Edinburgh Local Community Grants Scheme. The grant will allow the Cheyne Gang and students to further develop digital platforms and virtual singing and breathing sessions, that will allow Cheyne Gang members to continue to improve their lung health during the Covid-19 pandemic.

 

The Cheyne Gang is a high impact arts and health initiative which encourages people with long-term respiratory conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), to engage in artistic and creative activities. Through music and song, the initiative supports members to meet the challenges of their disease physically, mentally and socially. The Covid- 19 pandemic has prevented Cheyne Gang members from meeting and practicing the breathing and singing techniques, that have been carefully developed by health practitioners to help reduce the symptoms of lung disease.

By successfully securing the grant, the Cheyne Gang and students have ensured the Cheyne Gang’s website can be rapidly updated and maintained. Recording equipment, cameras and microphones can be purchased to allow singing coaches to record the instructor led singing and breathing sessions that will be made available to all Cheyne Gang members. This will allow members to continue to improve their lung health via the online sessions, while they are shielding at home

Early next year ‘Our Health’ students plan to visit 5% of Cheyne Gang members who do not have internet (if Covid-19 restrictions allow and in a socially distanced way). Students will supply members with tablets so that they can access the website, or give them DVD versions of the singing/breathing exercises if they cannot connect online.

‘Our Health’ is the University of Edinburgh’s Community-University Interdisciplinary Research Programme based at The Queens Medical Research Institute, CMVM. The programme is funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and offers a unique and ground- breaking model for community-university engagement. ‘Our Health’ projects aim to create community-based research that invites local communities to set real-world research questions and agendas around health and wellbeing. Community partners work with interdisciplinary teams of student from across the University of Edinburgh, creating new knowledge that is shared and evolves as the partnerships develop.

‘Our Health’ students have been working on a research project with the Cheyne Gang since 2018, investigating the impact of the Cheyne Gang’s breathing techniques on lung physiology. Students intend to develop a ‘student blog’ within the Cheyne Gang’s website that allows them to engage with members around the shared research question that aims to improve members lung health long term.

The Edinburgh Local Community Grants Scheme funds projects that will bring value to new or existing partnerships between the University and local communities and have a positive social impact for local communities. The Cheyne Gang and students are extremely grateful for the opportunity Edinburgh Local have provided, in helping to tackle the challenge of ensuring that the Cheyne Gang stays happy, hopeful and healthy in these trying times.

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OUR HEALTH projects create community-based research that invites local communities to set real-world research questions around health and well-being  

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who are we ?

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My name is Amina and I am currently studying Anatomy and Development at the University of Edinburgh. 

I am a colorful cultural mix of Japanese, German and Egyptian. This is definitely reflected in the fact that I like any type of food, no matter where it's from! 

I have been with the Cheyne Gang since January of 2019 and feel accepted within the group. That is why any victory of the Cheyne gang is a victory of mine! 

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I'm Aimee and am currently studying Electrical and Mechanical engineer at the university of Edinburgh.

I'm originally from London but have fallen in love with the city and never want to leave. I love to bake and dance and will defiantly be posting recipes on the forum.

I have been with the Cheyne Gang since 2019 joining in my 2nd year of university, I love the singing groups and cannot wait to sing again with you all. 

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Hello! I am Beatrice and I am currently studying medical sciences. I have been with the Cheyne gang for almost 2 year now and it has been an amazing project. I joined and never looked back as I love the dynamic and interactions during the singing sessions!

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My name is Simar Mann and I’m currently studying Infectious Diseases at the University of Edinburgh. I love reading, sketching and more recently, taking long walks around the greener parts of the city. I’m from India, so I enjoy a diverse variety of food and am always open to trying new types of recipes. I joined this project in January 2020 and I have enjoyed every aspect of my decision. Hopefully, I’ll be able to participate in another singing session with all of you soon.

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My name is Emily and I am currently in my third year of studying Biomedical Sciences. I love singing and I enjoy hillwalking in my free time. I cant wait to get involved with The Cheyne Gang and I’m really looking forward to meeting you all!

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