A Darwen community singing project is set to grow into Blackburn, with new free sessions aimed at supporting the wellbeing of parents and young families.
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Begin2Sing, led by Paul Stuart Davies, co-founder of Darwen School of Music, has been running free singing workshops in Darwen since August 2025. It was launched to help tackle social isolation, improve mental health and build confidence through group singing.
Paul is now extending the project to offer singing-for-wellbeing sessions for new parents and those with pre-school children after seeing the impact of the Darwen workshops.
He said: “I’ve had interest in the Begin2Sing workshops from parents of young children who struggle with childcare, and couldn’t always attend.
“So now I’ve teamed up with the Blackburn with Darwen Family Hubs and Babyzone at Blackburn YouthZone to run weekly feel-good singing workshops for parents of little ones under five. The aim of the sessions is to promote wellbeing and social connection at a time when life can be so demanding.”
The new sessions will run at Babyzone in Blackburn Youth Zone on Wednesdays from 15 April, between 11am and 12.30pm. The initial programme will last four weeks.
The workshops are for adults, but babies and toddlers are welcome too. Parents will learn breathing techniques, take part in vocal warm-ups and sing well-known classics together in a relaxed, supportive setting.
Councillor Julie Gunn, Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education at Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “I think this is excellent and I thank Paul for approaching our Family Hubs with his idea to offer Begin2Sing workshops to parents of little ones.
“Recent reports show that up to 60% of pregnant women and new mums and dads are struggling with their mental health and wellbeing, so it is really important that we offer a variety of ways for parents to improve their wellbeing.
“Babyzone is the perfect place for these Begin2Sing sessions for parents as up to 100 families a week attend with their babies.
“Happy and healthy parents help to raise happy and healthy children. Singing is such a powerful mood-booster and groups like Begin2Sing really bring people together to forge connections.”
Anyone wanting a place at Begin2Sing at Blackburn Babyzone should email begin2sing@mail.com with their name, contact number and their child’s age.
Begin2Sing is funded through Blackburn with Darwen Council via the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
For more information about support for parents’ wellbeing, visit your local Family Hub or the Family Hubs website.
