St Giles’ Cathedral provided a spectacular setting for a special charity performance in support of RHASS, delivered with the help of the Hanley and Baird band and Sing in the City Aw Blacks. The performance brought a very different kind of energy to one of Edinburgh’s most historic buildings, with the Hanley and the Baird and the Aw Blacks helping us prove that even St Giles could rock. It was also a special night because of the people who came along to support the event, inc

"I am... brave enough to try new things" Our first Singalong Saturday in Dunfermline brought together music, dancing, tea, conversation and plenty of laughter. Led by Kirsty Baird, the afternoon was deliberately relaxed and informal, with a mix of songs, some fairly madcap dancing and, by all accounts, even a mini riot. Most importantly, it was a chance for everyone to come together, enjoy the music and spend time in good company. The event also raised £375 for Hanley and the

"I am.. full of memories that matter" Our volunteers joined Kirsty Baird BEM at Glenrothes Hospital, where we visited the stroke ward day room for a Remember When singalong session. The session brought familiar songs into the ward, giving everyone the chance to listen, join in and spend some time together away from the usual hospital routine. These visits were a reminder that one of the most valuable things we could give was our time. A shared song, a conversation and a bit

A big thank you went to the Sing in the City Linlithgow choir, who raised £103 through a birthday cake bake and donated the money to Hanley and the Baird Dreampot. Kirsty Baird also added the money collected for tea and coffee, bringing the total donation to £128. It was a great example of how community fundraising could make a real difference and help us continue providing free activities, events and opportunities for others. Thank you to everyone who baked, bought cake, don

We were pleased to make a donation to Baby Beaks Garden Bird Rescue, a small charity providing care for baby and injured wild birds. The charity had recently helped Kirsty Baird after she found a young bird that needed some extra support. Thankfully, Baby Beaks were able to step in and give it the care it needed. That was probably just as well — otherwise Kirsty might have had to work out how to teach it to fly herself. The experience was a good reminder of the important work

A series of Edinburgh Festival busks raised £767 for Hanley and the Baird Dreampot, helping support free community activities, events and walking football sessions. The first fundraiser saw the Sing in the City Aw Blacks join Hanley and the Baird for performances at the Ross Bandstand and The Mound, raising £146. The following weekend, members of Sing in the City Choirs returned for another double busk at the same locations and raised a further £623. Together, the two weekend

Kirsty Baird and her volunteer team brought a Remember When singalong session to Kirk Lane Nursing Home in Livingston, filling the room with familiar songs, conversation and plenty of character. The sessions were created to bring people together through music, particularly songs that sparked memories and encouraged everyone to join in. One of the stars of the day was Ollie, very much the life and soul of the session and a great example of the energy these visits could bring.

I Am... Proving Football Can Be Fun Without Sprinting Our first Walking Football session had an amazing turnout, with a fantastic response from everyone who came along to give it a go. Run with support from Walking Football Scotland, and with Vivian and Shirley on hand to keep everyone right, the session began with some gentle stretches and warm-ups before moving into a few drills and, of course, a game. Walking football offered a more accessible way to enjoy the sport, witho

An amazing £1480 was raised during World Cup Week by Sing in the City Choirs and Hanley and the Baird. Across rehearsals throughout Scotland, choir members got into the spirit of the World Cup while showing their support for the Scotland National Team. There was football, tea, coffee, plenty of chat, baking, dressing up and, most importantly, a huge amount of generosity. The week was a real team effort. Everyone who baked, donated, dressed up or simply joined in helped make t

We brought a Remember When singing session to Mossview Care Home in Lochgelly, with Kirsty Baird from Hanley and the Baird, her guitar and volunteers from Sing in the City leading everyone in a good old-fashioned singalong. The session featured familiar music from the 1940s, 50s and 60s, bringing back memories and creating plenty of smiles along the way. Remember When sessions were designed to be particularly accessible for people experiencing cognitive decline, but they were

Our first ‘I Am…’ sessions took place in Edinburgh, bringing people together through art, dance and conversation in a welcoming and supportive environment. Run by Hanley and the Baird, the day included ‘I Am… Making My Mark’, an art session led by Carol Baines, and ‘I Am… Moving to My Own Beat’, a dance session with Amy Drummond Santer. We also held Coffee Connections – ‘I Am… Making New Friends’, giving everyone the chance to meet, chat and build new connections. It was fant