Case Study: Singing Walks Case Study
Authors(s), Creator(s) and Contributors: Tracy Pallant - Director - Oasis One World Choir
Publication Date: 13/10/2025
Categories: Case Studies
Supporter(s)/Funder(s): Arts Council Wales
Partner(s): CAVMH
Funder(s): Arts Council Wales
Oasis One World Choir
Introduction
Over the past year Oasis One World Choir (OOWC) tested the impact of Singing Walks on the health and well-being of people seeking sanctuary. The Singing Walks were led by 5 choir members who have been trained as Lowland Walk Leaders as part of the project and are expert by experience, having been through the asylum system themselves. This project has contributed to realising their potential as wellbeing and cultural leaders in their community and supported the health and wellbeing of people seeking sanctuary. Refugees and asylum seekers experience multifaceted and diverse circumstances, and are subsequently at greater risk of physical and mental health difficulties. Spending time in the natural environment and singing together is known to benefit mental health and wellbeing.
The Challenge
The challenges we addressed were the lack of access to general physical and mental health activities, and the social isolation faced by refugees and asylum seekers. Our community do not have access to funds for leisure activities - At the same time they can feel unwelcome in traditionally white UK led opportunities to enhance their own wellbeing via organised walks etc.
The idea for the singing walks came from OOWC member as part of a Natural Voice Network weekend. The act of singing creates healing and a sense of wellbeing, stimulating the vagus nerve getting outdoors, responding, connecting to nature enhances this healing. Our Singing Walks project have been co-produced with people seeking sanctuary at Oasis and our partners CAVAMH and Ramblers Cymru.
The Approach
For the past 10 years OOWC has supported people displaced from their country of origin As part of our Singing Walks project 5 choir members with lived experience of seeking sanctuary were trained as Lowland Walk Leaders and led singing walks for asylum seekers and refugees to support their health and well being. It was a year long project which incorporated 10 x monthly singing walks alongside the training. Short walks around Bute Park to day long adventures including Tintern Abbey to Devils Pulpit and the Gower and Bath Skyline. Walking, Singing songs that respond to the natural world and reflect the languages of our community 30
different nationalities. and sharing food together. Connection to self, others & nature. We partnered with Ramblers Cymru who gave guidance, training and collaboration on the walking and safeguarding aspects of this new project as well as working with our Health partner Cardiff and Vale Mental Health Forum. (CAVAMH) There were 17 people on each walk - they were always oversubscribed.
Our Walk Leaders trained with Andy Cummings, and are now members of Mountain
Training Cymru network.
This included 2 days walk leader training, 2 navigation days 1 x pre assessment day, 2 days assessment and a 2 day First Aid course
The budget for the project was £15000
The Impact
Refugees and asylum seekers are among the most marginalised in society facing multiple disadvantages. A case study film was created to demonstrate the impact on health and wellbeing of Singing Walks on beneficiaries also contributing to the CPD of choir members who have been trained as Lowland Walk leaders. As evidenced the Singing Walk project had a consistent positive impact on those who took part. The majority of the leaders now have leave to remain and refugee status and the right to work so can be employed to run Singing Walks for the wider community also being part of walking festivals and continue to support asylum seekers and refugees - upskilling and promoting meaningful community integration. This project has demonstrated how empowering it is for participants and walk leaders to feel they can protect and have a say in their local environment. ‘They are in this difficult scenario seeking sanctuary and going through all the paperwork and negativity - from society at the moment so its scary. So to go out where you are guided by someone qualified who is trusted to lead you on a walk, you’re getting exercise, you’re in the open air in green spaces - it let’s the pressure dissipate and allows people to be themselves again.It really builds autonomy and community’
Lessons Learned
These regular outdoor interventions enabled participants to think deeply on issues relating to the natural world, giving our participants autonomy and a voice.The case study film illustrates the importance that the environment and the natural world has on participants, many of whom come from countries severely impacted by climate change. WAHWN Case Study Template 2021 | info@wahwn.cymru | www.wahwn.cymru
The project is unique the first of its kind in Wales. From feedback we would like to offer women only Singing Walk sessions, family sessions and LGBTQ Singing Walks and themed days such as Foraging Walks.
The Legacy
5 choir members are qualified lowland walk leaders and can continue to offer wellness walks for asylum seekers and refugees. One of the walk leaders has been commissioned to create resources for Hapus to inspire
others to support their own wellbeing. ‘Here you get a big breathe of air, it’s the countryside so you’ve got to love it’ Our collaboration with Ramblers Cymru and new partnerships have been great.
Unfortunately due to the closure of CAVAMH we are now looking for a new health partner to ensure that this incredible project can continue.
Website and Social Media Links
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUXPHJPbNRA
Singing Walks Evaluation film
Contact Details
Contact Details: Include a contact name and email for anyone wanting to find out
more information about the project.
Laura Bradshaw; laura.communitymusic@gmail.com
Tracy Pallant; tracypallant@hotmail.com
Ayoub Boukhalfa; boukhalfaayoub@gmail.com
Tags: singing, wellbeing, health, refugees, asylum seekers, arts, creativity, nature, outdoors
