The Cheyne Gang – sing to breathe

July 2024

The Cheyne Gang was established in 2013 by 3 Practice Nurses in Edinburgh. They set up singing for breathing groups for people with long term respiratory conditions like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Bronchiectasis, severe asthma and more recently Long Covid. These diseases cause distressing and disabling breathlessness that often leads to social isolation, anxiety and low mood. They teach reflexive breathing techniques to aid breathlessness and put this into practice through singing. The attendees report improvements in sleep, reduced anxiety, improved breath control and few flare ups of their condition.
The Cheyne Gang requested funds to expand their services in the Tweed Valley area. The funds will be used for advertising, trial sessions, including family and carers, and providing transport.