THE Warblers, a small charity that works with people with chronic lung conditions in Musselburgh, has received a lottery cash boost.

The grant of £4,000 from the National Lottery for All fund will be used to run weekly singing for lung health groups in Musselburgh and Newtongrange in Midlothian.

The cash will also support members taking part in Citizen – a community writing project run by the Edinburgh International Book Festival. Citizen is working with local people in Musselburgh to write stories, poems and songs.

The Warblers follows an evidence-based approach and combines exercises designed to increase body awareness, relaxation and improve breathing with carefully chosen songs that enable participants to gradually increase the length of phrase sung.

All songs are taught by ear in a fun and relaxed environment, with no singing experience needed.

The group meets at Musselburgh East Community Learning Centre on Haddington Road.

Song leader Jane Lewis joined the British Lung Foundation Singing for Lung Health song-leader training and mentoring programme in April 2015 and set up The Warblers a few months later.

She said: “We believe that everyone can sing, and sing a wide range of songs from around the world including Scottish, African and Gospel.

“During the current crisis the singing groups are continuing to take place online – live in a private Facebook group, and over Zoom. We are aware of the isolation experienced by people with chronic lung conditions at this time and new members are very welcome.”

One singer commented: “It’s just joyful! It gets me out the house and helps with my breathing. It brings me as much joy as my grandson.”

For more information on the group, go to warblers.org.uk