History of the Choir

Rising Voices Wessex aims to link music and health together. Participation in a musical activity has been shown not only to improve wellbeing but also to aid communication at a time when people are struggling to adapt to a diagnosis of cancer.

Rising Voices Wessex an innovative idea which evolved from a ‘Living Well with Cancer’ conference in Dorset in 2012, the Poole choir was formed in 2013. See testimonial from Gavin Carr.

Rising Voices Wessex community choir was set up to help people recover from treatment for cancer or to help those affected by the experience of cancer in the family. The Poole choir was launched on the 8th January 2013 with an appearance on BBC South Today and has since been on ITV and heard on Solent Radio. The Poole choir initially meet at the Poole Lighthouse Arts Centre, then Lewis Manning Hospice before settling in St Johns Church for many years. Rising Voices Wessex Community Choir  registered as a charity in 2016 charity in England and Wales (1165053). A Bournemouth Choir was formed in 2015 however this was closed following the covid pandemic.

The  choir currently has over 100 members about 30 of whom meet weekly for rehearsals and take part in performances throughout the year - these performances help raise funds to support the choir. Taking part in performances is something that most members enjoy but isn’t compulsory! The emphasis is on having fun, with choir members having their say on which songs they would like to sing so the repertoire is varied.

A grant from the former Dorset Cancer Network in 2012 supported the launch of the choir .The choir has since received funding from Macmillan Cancer Support and the Lottery as well as other local organisations.

In 2026 we are delighted to have the opportunity to merge with Lewis Manning Hospice Care in 2026 to offer more singing to aid recovery and improve wellbeing for people affected by cancer and other life-limiting illnesses.

We are also members of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NVCO) and Community Action Network (CAN).