‘Breath of Fresh Air’ is a choir led by community musician Charlie Brown, for adults with breathing difficulties like asthma and COPD. The choir is run directly by the Gregson charity, and was originally founded in collaboration with Queens Square Medical Practice in response to health data from our ward showing that people here have poorer lung health than other parts of the country. The choir is an officially affiliated Asthma Lung UK singing for lung health choir.

There is evidence that singing is good for people with lung conditions like asthma and COPD and helps improve quality of life. On top of that, creative and social activities have been proven to massively boost positivity. Taking health support into community settings outside of clinical spaces offers a holistic approach and can be incredibly beneficial.

What do you need to do to take part?
Just turn up! There is no need to book these sessions.  We offer the choir on a “pay as you feel” and “pay as you are able” basis but we recommend a voluntary donation of £5 to cover running costs.

So far, over 100 people have benefitted from the choir sessions. Our choir is fun and relaxed and requires no previous singing experience. You do not need a diagnosis and will not be asked about your breathing condition or health.

Why come along?
Choir members have said:

• “I feel like I have literally exercised my lungs… singing is joyful… I am improving my breathing. Singing as a choir is also mentally stimulating… I breathe much better for at least 24 hrs after”
• 8 out of 10 – average score when asked if the choir helped with the management of lung condition

For an informal chat or to ask any questions, email choir lead Charlie Brown at breathoffreshair@gregson.co.uk

In 2025, a creative evaluation conducted by health researcher Dr Rachael Eastham led to the development of song by choir members about their experiences of the Breath of Fresh Air. First performed at the Gregson’s AGM (2025). You can find out more about how choir members feel about the choir by listening to the song here: 

You can also see what goes on and hear more from choir members directly by watching this video: