The Isle of Man Government Staff Choir is inviting the public to join them for a series of Facebook Live weekly choir sessions in April for Stress Awareness Month whilst the Isle of Man remains in lockdown.

The sessions will be run by choir leader Mandy Griffin, who ran weekly sessions for government staff members before lockdown.

Mandy will be running a 15-minute session from the Isle of Man Arts Council Facebook page every Wednesday at 1pm throughout April.

These sessions will be open to the any members of the public who want to take part in what the choir calls ’a low-pressure, informal setting’.

Mandy said: ’I’ve seen other friends both on and off the island offering short sessions to their choirs via Facebook, and just thought we should give it a go.

’Using Facebook means it’s very informal as I can’t see or hear anyone, so hopefully there’s no pressure for those taking part and everyone feels free to sing out and just enjoy the benefits of a quick sing during the working-from-home day.

’I think the main thing is that people don’t come expecting that it’s going to be anything demanding, onerous, or requiring a lot of their time.’

The choir says that singing is a psychosocial activity shown to improve social support, increase positive emotions, and reduce fatigue and stress.

It says many studies show that group singing can reduce anxiety, depression and increase wellbeing.

The sessions will run for 15 minutes and will include breathing and vocal exercises and then a simple song at the end, with the purpose being that it provides a short ’break’ to routine and a chance to get a bit of oxygen flowing.

More details can be found on iomarts.com or via the Isle of Man Arts Council Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/artscounciliom