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Together One Voice

  • Removed

  • This charity was removed from the register on 4 Feb 2020
  • Charity no. 103778
  • Date registered. 02/11/2015

Public benefits

Direct Benefits include: • Reduction in social isolation • Building community capacity • Social inclusion • New friendships forged, including cross-border friendships • New skills All of these positively impact mental and physical health for individuals and the wider community. These benefits are demonstrated in discussions amongst members at

practice, rehearsals and events, positive responses to musical direction and verbal feedback in the Facebook Community page as well as Member’s Discussion Forum on Facebook. We do not anticipate any harm leading from the purposes of our charity. As with any group, conflict can arise but we create an ethos of inclusion and respect, as per our constitution, which we ask all participants to honour. Personal competencies and limitations in singing are far outweighed by the benefits of increased self-esteem, confidence and personal growth from members’ participation in choir. The inclusiveness of the choir is demonstrated by no member ever having to audition to join. The choir’s Natural Voice Singing philosophy also means that participants do not need any specialised musical training to join, although they may well learn to read music over time if they desire. There are also ‘fringe’ benefits for member’s friends, carers, family members, as well as the general public who are often inspired by community choir singing. Most importantly, we provide time out for all our members, for example parents and carers. The charity’s beneficiaries are primarily people in the Fermanagh and Omagh District Council areas as well as people in the rest of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The only private benefit flowing from this purpose is than some trustees are paid to facilitate group work which is over and above the duties of a trustee. These benefits are incidental and necessary to ensure the benefit is provided to our beneficiaries.

What your organisation does

Choir meets weekly to learn new songs and practice old songs. In harmonising we learn to listen to others and work towards a common goal. We also forge a sense of belonging as we form new friendships and longer standing ones deepen. This has the benefit of allowing us to support each other in the challenging circumstances we all face at various

stages of life. We discuss projects and performances in consultation with the Music Director, allowing us to develop a sense of full participation and belonging. We also participate in the wider community’s cultural life and have interaction with the public at concerts and similar community events. These weekly, two hour sessions where we sing together, cooperate and laugh as we learn, build social capital, reduce social isolation, and support good emotional, mental and physical health and well-being. We also take opportunities to take part in events in the community that bring people together, eg The Big Sing in Derry and cross-border events in the Republic of Ireland. Our group is managed through an elected management committee as laid down in our Constitution. This management committee is voluntary and all are committed to the values and aims of the group as expressed in our Constitution. Our collective hope is to redefine ‘community’, especially in the context of Northern Ireland where is if often used to separate and differentiate people. We provide a welcoming environment conducive to intercultural exchange. Our approach of inclusiveness is the active practice of building peaceful relationships, confidence, and skills, respecting all contributions into a unity expressed in musical harmony. Fees charged are minimal and with the sole purpose of paying necessary costs, including the cost of our musical director. We fundraise for specific events that are in alignment with our aims and purposes and take opportunities to meet, learn and share with other choirs within Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and abroad

The charity’s classifications

  • The advancement of citizenship or community development
  • The advancement of the arts, culture, heritage or science

Who the charity helps

  • Adult training
  • Carers
  • Ethnic minorities
  • General public
  • Mental health
  • Older people
  • Parents
  • Specific areas of deprivation
  • Unemployed/low income
  • Volunteers
  • Women
  • Youth (14-25 year olds)

How the charity works

  • Arts
  • Community development
  • Counselling/support
  • Cross-border/cross-community
  • Cultural
  • Education/training
  • Environment/sustainable development/conservation
  • Gender
  • Human rights/equality
  • Relief of poverty
  • Rural development
  • Urban development
  • Volunteer development
  • Welfare/benevolent
  • Youth development

Charitable purposes

The choir is established to run an all inclusive, all ability community choir accessible to all, irrespective of musical experience, without distinction of age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, nationality, ethnic identity, class, marital status, political or religious opinion, by associating the statutory authorities, voluntary and community sector organisations and the inhabitants in a common effort to advance learning, with the object of improving the conditions of life for the said inhabitants.

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