Current timestamp: 28/06/2022 04:52:47
AgeAlertAnonymousAppealsApplicationsApply Or RegisterArea OutlineArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow UpAutomatic DoorsBack ArrowBusinessCalendarCashArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow Down[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-chrome' for 'English (United Kingdom)']ClockCloseContactDirectionsDocumentDownloadDrawDrugExpandExternal LinkFacebookFb CommentFb LikeFiletype DefaultFiletype DocFiletype PdfFiletype PptFiletype XlsFinance[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-firefox' for 'English (United Kingdom)']First AidFlickrFraudGive FeedbackGlobeGuide DogHealthHearing ImpairedInduction LoopInfoInstagramIntercom[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-internet-explorer' for 'English (United Kingdom)']LaptopLiftLinkedinLocal ActivityLoudspeakerLow CounterMailMapMap PinMembershipMenuMenu 2[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-microsoft-edge' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Missing PeopleMobility ImpairmentNationalityNorth PointerOne Mile RadiusOverviewPagesPaper PlaneParkingPdfPhonePinterestPlayPushchairRefreshReportRequestRestart[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-rotate-clockwise' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Rss[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-safari' for 'English (United Kingdom)']SearchShareSign LanguageSnapchatStart AgainStatsStats And Prevention AdviceStopSubscribeTargetTattosTell Us AboutTickTumblrTwenty Four HoursTwitterTwitter LikeTwitter ReplyTwitter RetweetUploadVisually ImpairedWhatsappWheelchairWheelchair AssistedWheelchair ParkingWheelchair RampWheelchair WcYoutubeZoom InZoom Out

Quickly exit this site by pressing the Escape key Leave this site

Skip to main content

Skip to main navigation

Welcome

This site is a beta, which means it's a work in progress and we'll be adding more to it over the next few weeks. Your feedback helps us make things better, so please let us know what you think.

Show me the site

Kent Police

Search this website

Main navigation menu

  • Report

    Back to Report

    • Crime
    • Domestic abuse
    • Breach of coronavirus (Covid-19) measures
    • Road traffic incident
    • Antisocial behaviour
    • Missing person
    • Fraud, bribery or corruption
    • Civil disputes
    • Lost or found property
    • Lost or stolen vehicles
  • Tell us about

    Back to Tell us about

    • Tell us about possible terrorist activity
    • An existing case or report
    • A procession or event you are planning
    • Filming
    • Abnormal vehicle load
    • Possible breach of coronavirus (Covid-19) measures
  • Apply or register

    Back to Apply or register

    • Careers
    • Charity collection licences
    • Compensation for victims of crime
    • Firearm, shotgun or explosives certificate
    • Register as an overseas visitor
    • Attend a misconduct hearing
  • Request

    Back to Request

    • A collision report
    • Intellectual property (IP) licence
    • Your fingerprints
    • Information: about the police, about yourself or someone else
  • Thanks and complaints

    Back to Thanks and complaints

    • Complaints
    • Thanks
    • Feedback about the website
  • Your area

Breadcrumb

  1. ...
  2. News

Village choir set up by Thanet PCSO is tackling loneliness

Main article content

Navigation

Policing news

17:25 22/09/2020

Choir online_desktop
The choir singing online
A Kent Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) is hitting all the right notes to tackle loneliness during lockdown in Thanet.
 
PCSO Deborah Forsyth launched a community choir, known as Village Voices, at the start of 2019 which aimed to bring people together. It met weekly until the Coronavirus pandemic meant the members were faced with lockdown. To counteract the threat of isolation, the choir has turned to technology to keep going and the singing sessions are now held online.
 
PCSO Forsyth, whose responsibilities include patrolling the rural villages of Thanet, established the choir after she realised that for many residents she spoke to, there was a risk of becoming lonely.
 
She said: ‘Aside from crime prevention and assisting in investigations, an important part of our role as PCSOs is to be a friendly face to residents, identify any issues or tensions in the community, and focus on the wellbeing of others.
 
‘In modern life people can sometimes feel a little isolated but don’t feel brave enough to put themselves out there and meet their neighbours, so I wanted to give people a reason to leave their homes, make new friends and as I love singing, I thought a choir would provide the perfect opportunity to do that.’
 
 
Choir group_desktop
Members of the choir, taken before the Coronavirus pandemic
The choir went from strength to strength and was attracting between 60 and 80 people from around Thanet who would meet once a week at the Salvation Army hall in Minster.  They even started to give public performances to showcase their vocal talents.
 
But when lockdown began in March, conditions meant the singers of Village Voices were no longer able to meet in person.
 
PCSO Forsyth said: ‘I was determined that the choir continue, even if we couldn’t be in the same room anymore.
 
‘What I didn’t anticipate before starting the choir is that it has provided a place where people can go who may be struggling not just with isolation, but a multitude of other issues such as mental health and grief. We’ve had people join who are fulltime carers, and they look forward to singing as it gives them a respite from whatever they are dealing with and allows them a chance just to be social.
 
‘Not only that, but people who may be considered vulnerable can be at risk of falling prey to criminals if they are alone – it is important they have that regular positive interaction to look after their welfare and know they are ok.
 
‘So now we meet via online video calls. It did take some adjusting to at first, but it wasn’t long before everyone was all singing along together as before.'
 
PCSO Forsyth is aiming to keep Village Voices singing via Zoom meetings every Wednesday while restrictions are in place.
 
‘Everyone is welcome to come along and join in. It is not about having the perfect voice. Members don’t have to be able to read music and there are no auditions to join.
 
‘Our members are full of creativity and bring great ideas about what to sing and how to sing it.
 
‘It was a little daunting when we started the choir as I realised I would be the one conducting - which I have never done before!
 
‘But it is great fun, people join the calls to sing, and sign off with their spirits lifted.’

Share

Is there a problem with this page?

Footer navigation

We use cookies on this site to give you a better, more personalised experience.

I'm fine with cookies I'd like to manage the cookies

Kent Police

  • Contact us
  • Careers
  • About us
  • News
  • Campaigns
  • Privacy notice
  • Cookies
  • Terms and conditions
  • Accessibility

Information and services

  • Advice and information
  • Crime prevention
  • Stats and data
  • Accessing information (FOI)
  • Report
  • Tell us about
  • Apply or register
  • Request
  • Thanks and complaints

Partners

  • Partner services
  • Police.uk
  • Ask the Police
  • Police and Crime Commissioner

Follow us on:

© Copyright 2022. All rights reserved.