A Lunchbreak with a difference for Fascinating Rhythm’s Charity of the Year, Off The Record,  and more fundraising.

Fascinating Rhythm recently joined forces to run a singing workshop to support staff from their charity of the year Off The Record.  A few of the chorus members from each section volunteered to travel down to Bristol to the OTR office and drop-in hub in Old Market, Bristol and received a warm welcome from staff, who were looking forward to a lunch break with a difference. All of the team were new to a cappella singing, though one lady sings in a Reggae Choir, which sounds like great fun. Fascinating Rhythm did a few warm-ups to get started, and then OTR joined in and, before long, were feeling “Good Vibrations” throughout the building! 

The staff really enjoyed the session, and we discovered they also offer music therapy to teens and young adults who need it. MD Jo Thorn said, “We were thrilled to support OTR in this fun way—and it was brilliant how quickly they picked up the tunes and were soon singing along. With laughter and smiles all around, it was great to feel we were able to bring some fun and sunshine to their day!”

The OTR staff who attended shared a great video compilation of the event and said,

Thank you to the ladies from Fascinating Rhythm Chorus for bringing us together for a workshop of fun, laughter and singing!

We were invited to have a tour of their brightly decorated facilities which offer a safe space for children in Bristol and South Gloucestershire with mental health issues. They offer a range of support from simply somewhere to “be” to resilience workshops, a book club, 1-2-1 therapies from their mental health support team and much more.   

We then enjoyed a cuppa and yummy cakes and the chance to talk more with the OTR Team about the support they give. It was heartwarming to see how dedicated and enthusiastic they are about the important roles they play in what must, at times, be a challenging job. We hope we may be able to help them further in the future, as we all know that singing is good for our well-being, our mental health, and our soul! 

A delicious Teddy Bears’ Picnic

Anne-marie Collier,  joint Chair of Fascinating Rhythm, joined forces with The Jolly Melodies Music Company,  (the other hat she wears), to organise a Teddy Bears’ Picnic and raise some more money for OTR.  Fascinating Rhythm ladies provided the cakes and treats, and a few chorus members were there to help on the two coffee mornings, which were run at the end of term. There was lots of fun and laughter and yummy cakes for the children, parents and carers who came with their teddies for a beautiful picnic.  A whopping £265 was donated over the two days.  

A delighted Anne-marie said,

I’m so pleased – what a truly generous amount for us to pass on to OTR.

She added,

I always worry we might not have enough cakes for these end-of-year parties, which we run every year… and every year, I’m overwhelmed by the generosity of my friends from Fascinating Rhythm, who bake such yummy cakes! I’m delighted we raised such a great amount for the Fascinating Rhythm Charity of the Year.

Written by Julie Macnamara