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Introducing our long-awaited book Now available to buy exclusively from us Welcome We are a charity whose aims are to illuminate the relationship between music and health and wellbeing. We largely do this through Giving Voice (GV) *, an educational and self-directed tool developed by the NFGV' s co-founder Jill Rakusen . GV is a unique approach to song that was developed by Jill when challenged by long-term illness. Basically, she discovered how to ‘unlock the power of song’ despite often being unable to sing at all. And when she was able to sing, she found that her silent discoveries had a huge impact on her ability to truly ‘give voice’. Over the years she has shared her approach with many others, and has taught Rachel Healey and Caroline Thorpe to teach it. They, and countless others, in a wide range of situations , have found it beneficial. It’s about building our relationship with a song , so that it becomes our companion, our support, and above all our teacher. While it can be explored in a group facilitated by our accredited GV teachers, in-person or remotely, perhaps its most significant and exciting aspects are what’s possible when we explore this approach individually. For it’s when we do this that we can really begin to ‘unlock’ the power of a song . And although it’s done on our own, the practice can lead towards a profound sense of interconnectedness. We are pleased that, following the publication of Jill’s new book, Unlocking the Power of Song: A Companion for Challenging Times , her approach is now available for many more people to access. ​ Find out more on our News page See what we have been doing on Facebook Read our new Blog Unlocking the Power of Song Join our Mailing list ​ "Our life is what our thoughts make it" Marcus Aurelius *Our work is not to be confused us with any of the following organisations: Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists' Giving Voice Campaign , or their branches which run a Giving Voice Choir and a Giving Voices Choir and have Facebook pages called Leeds/Sheffield Giving Voice. Disambig

NEWS Recent and Future Events 2023 ONLINE ‘MINI-COURSES’ on Developing Inner Companionship through Song with Jill and/or Caroline ​ 'It was wonderful, I loved it! and I wasn’t initially feeling like attending because I was drawn to going out for a walk instead!’ ‘It was really really helpful. I really bonded with the book (because it’s such a big book, I’d found it a bit daunting initially), and I worked out how to access the recordings. I also got a lot from hearing what others had to say’ 'Lovely time. Got a lot out of it. Looking forward to being with that song/exploring more on my own’ These 2-session courses are for anyone who has a copy of the book, whether they’re new to this approach, or ‘old hands’; participants with health or care challenges particularly welcome. What’s involved? Each course involves just two evening sessions, and is complete in itself. However much can be gained by attending more than one course. No musical or vocal expertise is needed, and no-one will be required to sing to the rest of the online group. Dates: Mondays 30th Jan and 6th Feb 7pm-9pm AND/OR Book through eventbrite Wednesdays 19th and 26th April 7pm-9pm AND/OR Book through eventbrite Mondays 17th and 24th July 7pm-9pm AND/OR Book through eventbrite Thursdays 5th and 12th Oct 7pm-9pm Book through eventbrite NB participants need to attend both sessions of whichever course(s) they attend. Price: the fee is nominal – £10 for each course – but bursaries are still available for the seriously overstretched (and for those who aren’t please feel free to add a bit extra to help us keep providing bursaries – both for courses and books). The courses are all free to Foundation Members. Book either through the Eventbrite links above or by emailing us info@givingvoicefoundation.org.uk and paying below Payment: you can pay either by Bank Transfer: National Foundation for Giving Voice 09-06-66 41174782 Or by PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/nfgv What you will need: you will need your copy of the book, a reasonably good internet/zoom connection, and to be in a space where you can avoid interruption. If you are ill and in bed, or need to be lying down, that’s fine. Please book in good time (places will be limited) ​ ---oOo--- ​ ​ December 2022 ​ First online mini course on Developing Inner Companionship through Song with Jill and Caroline BookCourses October 2022 Inner Resources for Challenging Times through Unlocking the Power of Song ​ Saturday 15th October, 10:30 to 1pm in Heeley Sheffield. Led by Caroline Thorpe ​ For more information and booking please contact Caroline September 2022 Caroline is offering a session in the Findhorn Unitarian Network their zoom meditation series. This open to anyone and takes place on Saturday 24 September at 10:00 am, or on Tuesday 27th September at 9:30 am. Please respond to funtomeditate@gmail.com indicating which session you want - you may register for both. June 2022 In June, Caroline shared Say I Love You to the World (No. 19 from our book ) with the Unitarian Women’s League in Sheffield. People were surprised they didn’t need to sing, “Wasn’t at all what I expected, and I really enjoyed it”. Also in June, Caroline joined Rachel in sharing All the Doors of my House (No. 16 from our book ) at a women’s summer camp. Although it was only a half-hour session squeezed in between other events, it was clear from the responses afterwards how many people had a surprisingly profound experience. ​ Developing your Inner Resources through Song - Special Online Event In June we offered a special online event for Being Well in Suffolk’s Life Lounge , where Jill Rakusen , founder of Giving Voice (GV) , introduced this unique and invaluable resource for life. ​ At the event Jill shared how she created and developed this approach for her own needs when challenged by illness, how she began teaching it to others, and how they in turn have gone on to use it in their lives, often to powerful effect. She offered a brief ‘taster’, together with pointers on how the experience could be built on after the event. Author of our new book, Unlocking the Power of Song – A Companion for Challenging Times , she gave an idea of what it can offer. Forged with love, it’s a beautiful, companionable resource that's full of inspirational stories of how people have used GV in their lives, plus clear step-by-step guidance and ‘handy hints’ on how you can do this too. And much else besides. If you would like us to offer a similar event for you and your friends or organisation, let us know . Copies of the book can be made available at a discount for people who attend. ​ ​ Dec2021 March 2020 April 2022 In April Jill gave a brief five-minute introduction to the book for Action for Elders’ Book Group , and it was voted ‘best book’ out of the books introduced that day. Here’s a video of what she said – March 2022 Our book becomes available Find out more and order a copy . SayIloveyou This was recorded during an extremely hot day in March, hence Jill’s sunhat. It’s an amateur video with background noises; however, feedback has encouraged us to share it here, even though the camera pans around people’s feet to protect their privacy. More info about the song, and what it can offer in our lives using the Giving Voice Process , can be found in our book.

WHAT WE ARE ABOUT Giving Voice | Unlocking the Power of Song | Participants' Experiences We’re about enabling people to foster and strengthen their inner resources through song ​ ​ We have deep knowledge of the immense power of song to effect change, and how this power can be unlocked and harnessed by individuals 24/7 ​ We recognise the subtle yet powerful relationship between music and health and well-being ​ ​ We facilitate the discovery of the above, regardless of musical expertise or perceived musical or singing capacity ​ ​ We do this through use of what we call the Giving Voice Process (GV ) , which enables us to ‘unlock the power of song ’. Although this process may involve singing, it largely involves an inner experience that is often practised in silence ​ ​ Our approach is holistic, in the fullest sense of the term; it's rooted in love, and in the awareness of human beings’ profound capacity for joy and growth, including through challenging times. GV Giving Voice The Giving Voice Process (GV) is a unique approach to song that was developed by Jill Rakusen when challenged by long-term illness. Basically, she discovered how to ‘unlock the power of song’ despite often being unable to sing at all. And when she was able to sing, she found that her silent discoveries had a huge impact, not only on her daily life, but also on her ability to truly ‘give voice’. Over the years she has shared her approach with many others, and has taught Rachel Healey and Caroline Thorpe to teach it. They, and countless others, in a wide range of situations, have found it beneficial. ​ Two important aspects of GV are: it’s primarily an internal process, and can be drawn on in daily life ​ ​ once we’ve learnt the basics, no one else is needed – not even a recording – to enable this to happen. This is the case regardless of how 'musical' or 'unmusical' we believe we are. UPOS Unlocking the Power of Song The GV Process facilitates the capacity to unlock the power of a song, and all our activities (see What we do ) sit under the umbrella term Unlocking the Power of Song. Our Unlocking the Power of Song Blog , and our book (see below), contain numerous examples of what this approach has offered others, and the book reveals how the reader can develop the skill to unlock the power of song for themselves. ​ ​ ​ ​ UNLOCKING the POWER of SONG: a COMPANION for CHALLENGING TIMES by Jill Rakusen ​ This is our companionable how-to guide to Unlocking the Power of Song. It reveals the Four Key Elements involved, and much else besides. A beautiful treasure-trove, it contains numerous illuminating and inspiring contributions from many who have used this approach when dealing with a wide variety of life-challenges. Designed as a Companion for personal use for years to come, it requires absolutely no musical expertise. It’s a gift for anyone in these uncertain times – whether we sing or not. This gentle kindly guide is available to purchase directly from us. ​ ​ In addition, our Unlocking the Power of Song Blog is regularly updated to offer inspiration about how GV can be used to unlock the power of song. ​ ​ See also our Unlocking the Power of Song Facebook Group which is available for people to learn through sharing about their ongoing GV experiences. ​ More info Participants' Experiences “A new dimension!” (Therapist) Numerous participants have shared about the impact of this approach, and much can be found in our book , together with how it can be harnessed in daily life. See also our participants' experiences page.

LOOK INSIDE OUR BOOK Brief Contents | Sample PDF Contents Brief Contents Prelude Part 1 Tuning In to this Book Orientation CHAPTER 1. About this Book CHAPTER 2. Who’s this Book for? CHAPTER 3. An Overview CHAPTER 4. The Impact of this Approach CHAPTER 5. Songs of Possibility Part 2 The Songs The Way In to these Songs ​ (1) A Song about Finding Peace (2) Transformation Chant (3) I See Beauty .... (28) A Song about Home ​ Part 3 Unlocking the Power of Song – the Practicalities of the Giving Voice Process Orientation CHAPTER 9. The Four Key Elements CHAPTER 10. Developing Our Relationship with the Song CHAPTER 11. Towards Giving Voice to the Song – Singing with Expanded Awareness CHAPTER 12. Silent Singing CHAPTER 13. Personal Practice ​ Part 4 The Wider Reach of the Giving Voice Process Orientation CHAPTER 14. Awareness and the Giving Voice Process CHAPTER 15. Qualities we can Develop through the Giving Voic e Process CHAPTER 16. Developing Greater Skill through the Giving Voice Process CHAPTER 17. Fruits of the Giving Voice Process ​ Frequently Asked Questions SamplePDF Sample PDF Download sample pdf ​ Or view flip book below

Bibliography Articles Rakusen, J. ‘Unlocking the Power of Song: the Benefits for Individuals and Communities’ (Peer-reviewed poster presentation about Giving Voice for 17th UK Public Health Association Annual Public Health Forum) March 2009 ​ Rakusen, J. ‘Giving Voice: a different approach … to LIFE!’ Mailout November 2008 Lewis, A. ‘Giving Voice’, Body&Soul, July/August 2008 Healey, R. ‘Giving Voice : an Approach to Life and Health’ Lifescape September 2007 Rakusen, J. letter to The Guardian re power of music 3rd May 2006 Freeman, S. ‘The Song in your Heart’ Yorkshire Post 22 February 2006 Healey, R. ‘Giving Voice to our true selves’ Body&Soul July/August 2005 Healey, R. ‘Giving Voice for Health’ Mailout April/May 2005 Rakusen, J. ‘Using Song as a Means of Connecting with Truth: An Experiential Approach involving the Whole Person’ Spirituality and Health International December 2004 Rakusen, J. ‘Giving Voice: a Transformational Tool’ Positive Health Volume 61, February 2001 Chadderton, R. ‘Lift up your voice’ YOURS Health Supplement January 2001 ​ Rakusen, J. ‘Giving Voice: a Tool for Individuals and Communities’ Journal of Community Health January 2001 Healey, R & Rakusen, J. ‘A Conversation about Giving Voice ’ Cahoots Volume 73, October 2000 Anon. ‘Survivors Give Voice – a Course for Women’ Primary First Newsletter Issue 41 (Huddersfield Health Authority September 2000) Gardener, P. ‘Songs for Universal Peace and Healing’ (review of GV audiotape) Cahoots Issue 67 January-April 1999 Rakusen, J. ‘Singing our own Song: the Key to Health?’ and ‘Singing our own Song: When the Wounded Healer Sings’: presentations to first International Symposium on Arts and Health, Manchester 1999 Gilley, K. ‘Our Bodies Ourselves/Giving Voice’ The Inquirer 28 March 1998 Rakusen, J. ‘Diary of an Invalid?’ Bright Skies Volume 9 Spring 1997 Coniam, S & Gibson, L. ‘Giving Voice with Jill Rakusen’ Journal of Contemporary Health Issue 4 Summer 1996 Eberhardt-Hall, D. ‘Another Emerging and Developing Story’ (about the use of song to heal intergenerational and historical difficulties between Germans and Jews). Bright Skies Volume 3 1995 Stelfox, H. ‘Sound way to Good Health’ Huddersfield Daily Examiner 23 November 1995 Munson, C. ‘Giving Voice – a journey towards freedom with Jill Rakusen’ Vibes Issue 10 September 1995 Rakusen, J. ‘Emotional Education’ OpenMind Volume 46 August/ September 1990 Rakusen, J. ‘A Musical Journey’ Cahoots 5th Anniversary Issue 1986 Reports National Foundation for Giving Voice. Report on two linked GV sessions for Personality Disorder Clinical Learning Network, Halifax 2010. National Foundation for Giving Voice. Giving Voice – Some Statistics (Handout for above-mentioned Public Health Association Conference, 2009). National Foundation for Giving Voice. Giving Voice – an enjoyable personal and organisational tool – report on a ‘taster’ session at a large institution in Sheffield, 2005. Healey, R. Report on Bringing Song Into Your Life – Distance Participation Day, 2004. Healey, R. Report on a GV taster session at a Healthy Living Centre launch, Bradford 2004. Healey, R. Report on a GV taster session for National Institute for Mental Health (England) ‘Breath of Life – Spirituality and Mental Health’ Conference, London 2003. Healey, R. Report on Real Lives Real People – Mind Millennium Award Project, 2003. ​ Summary report on Singing our own Song - a 19-session course run on behalf of KARM mental health project, on Giving Voice principles. Cloverleaf, KARM and Sound HEALTH Consultancy 2002. Healey, R. Report on ‘Singing our own Song’ course as above, KARM 2002. Rakusen, J. James, A & Curbishley, R. Report on an Innovative Residency in a Cumbrian Primary School involving Giving Voice, held in the midst of the Foot and Mouth Crisis. Sound HEALTH Consultancy 2002 . Healey, R. Report on a GV taster session for Northern MIND’s ‘Making Friends and Influencing People’ Mini-conference 2002 Munyard, M Rakusen, J & Vickers, A. Report on a 6-session GV course, submitted to Kirklees Metropolitan Council 2001. Rakusen, J. Report on Survivors Give Voice! – a course for survivors of abuse – submitted to Calderdale/Kirklees Health Authority & Kirklees Metropolitan Council 2000. Rakusen J. ‘Giving Voice at Kirklees One World Festival’ (submitted to Kirklees Metropolitan Council) 1995. Waters, J. A dynamic account of a workshop held in Warrington. Internal paper for North West NSPCC 1994. Rakusen, J. Preliminary report on a creativity course (which contained elements of GV. Internal paper for North Manchester Health Authority 1988

Privacy Policy ​ If you are on our general emailing or mailing list, we undertake: To only communicate with you about the activities that you have opted into To only use the communication methods (eg email post phone or text) that you have opted into To store your personal data (contact details) safely* Not to pass on your contact details to anyone else without your clear permission If you ever ask us to stop contacting you about our activities, we will remove you from our lists If you are, or have been, a participant, our facilitators may occasionally make notes which include reference to participants. These notes are to aid their facilitation and are always kept separately from participants’ full names and contact details. The content of these notes is never shared with anyone, except in the context of supervision. If you are a member you will be invited to join a members’ email group, which is run on Google groups each email includes a clear link to unsubscribe. Finally, very occasionally we include quotes from some participants on our publicity or in our resource materials. This is always done anonymously unless people have given express permission for their names to be used. *Our general mailing list is run through Mailchimp and each email will have a clear ‘unsubscribe’ link in it to enable you to opt out. Our Website uses Cookies A cookie is a small piece of text sent to your browser by a website that you visit. It helps the website to remember information about your visit, like your preferred language and other settings. That can make your next visit easier and the site more useful to you. Cookies play an important role. Without them, using the web would be a much more frustrating experience. We use cookies to analyse user activity to improve our website. For example, using cookies we can see which pages on our site are popular. We can use such analysis to gain insights about how to improve the functionality and experience of the website. We use Google Analytics to track the use of our website; you can opt out of Google Analytics cookies using this tool https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout

Introducing our long-awaited book Unlocking the Power of Song A Companion for Challenging Times By Jill Rakusen This book is a beautiful gift for anyone in these uncertain times. It’s a book to treasure. ​ A gentle and kindly guide to Jill’s unique approach to song, the book is designed as a Companion for personal use for years to come It's potentially for anyone – whether you sing or not whether you define yourself as ‘unmusical’ or whether you already recognise your innate ‘musicality’ Indeed, even though it contains some written music, you don’t need to be able to read this Forged with love, it’s a S L O W book, designed to be savoured, and dipped into. It’s truly a companion for life Alongside the narrative of how Jill’s discoveries – and some of her songs – came into being, the book contains contributions from many others who have engaged with this extraordinary approach, plus handy hints for how you can benefit in similar ways It reveals how song can be harnessed – by anyone, in any situation and unusually it is particularly about harnessing song on our own, even in silence​ Look inside! Order Book Order Book The book defies classification – It helps us nurture ourselves, and grow – in awareness and understanding of ourselves and others and the world as a whole While it’s about the power of song, it’s not particularly about singing Nor is it designed for choirs, or teachers. Rather, it takes the reader on a personal journey, the kind of journey best embarked on in solitude As Jill says, “It’s a contribution to reclaiming a role for music, and in particular, song, that goes beyond the constructs of ‘musician’ versus ‘non-musician’, ‘performer’ versus ‘audience’, ‘sacred’ versus ‘profane’, and beyond the construct of music as an art or a means of manipulation, or a panacea.”

FAQs 1. Surely Giving Voice (GV) is no different from simply singing? It’s primarily about forming an intimate and dynamic relationship with a song, and reaping the benefits in life. Of course, singing of itself is immensely beneficial, yet ‘simply singing’ can rarely do more than scratch the surface of what song can offer. And perhaps paradoxically, the GV Process doesn’t necessarily involve singing! When it does, as Iris and Abdul – who both sing a lot – say respectively, “It’s different from ‘ordinary’ singing”, and “It’s something else entirely …”. 2. Sometimes I feel too ill to do anything- how could this work for me? GV can be done silently, and we can learn to do it anywhere, including when ill in bed … which is largely how, and where it was created. Many people with a variety of illnesses or disabilities have reported benefit. The GV Process enables us to connect with song when nothing else feels possible – which is in fact how Jill discovered it. 3. Why don’t you have a YouTube channel with recordings I can listen to? It’s because of what’s involved in unlocking the power of a song (which is explained in our comprehensive guide – Unlocking the Power of Song: A Companion for Challenging Times ). The book explains how to access recordings via our website, plus how to become ready to ‘receive’ them. 4. Why would I want to do this? – I already love singing! As Jill says, “I did too – and then I discovered something even more amazing through GV … and it enhanced my singing, as it has done for other lovers of singing too (see FAQ 1)”. 5. What could it offer me? – I can’t sing! Everyone deserves – and can forge – a deep relationship with song, whether we believe we can sing or not. Many have changed their mind through experiencing GV either through attending one or more sessions or through using the book . 6. Why on earth would I want to do it on my own? Jill says if she hadn’t become so ill, she would have asked the same question! Since it’s such an intimate process, it needs to be explored on our own; even with a trained facilitator, we can’t go very far unless we do this. 7. Is it therapy? It’s a self-directed learning process. It’s not therapy, though it is therapeutic. 8. Is it about healing? People often make comments such as “It’s very healing”, or “I feel it’s helping to heal me inside”. As Freda Davis says in her poem (quoted in our book ), healing is inevitable when we become more at one – which is something the GV Process facilitates, whatever our state of health. 9. Is it compatible with other approaches? The relationship between the GV Process and other approaches including Yoga, NeuroLinguistic Programming, Emotional Freedom Technique, and even Homoeopathy, has been remarked on by a number of participants. 10. Is it compatible with my religion/spiritual practice/secular beliefs? It’s a contemporary approach based on contemporary needs, whatever tradition, if any, we may espouse. Many feel it enhances their moral and/or spiritual commitment and practice, and it’s been found to resonate with a variety of religious or spiritual approaches, including all the world’s main religions, as well as shamanism and other forms of paganism. People who use GV may include Christians, Muslims, Jews, Sikhs, Humanists, Pagans, Agnostics. See our blog post for what some have said in relation to this question. ​

Members Members area FOUNDATION MEMBERSHIP You can be a member of the Foundation for £58 (£40 concessions) for 12 months. Members are people who want to support the Foundation's aims and principles , and contribute to its development Members get: Discounts at most Giving Voice events Support in your individual ongoing process, including a specially created unique phrase Special mailings Special emailings Members-only Foundation days, 3 annually, free to members, often online ​ Want to join? Contact us ​ ​ AimsPrinciples Aims and Principles Aims: To promote and facilitate greater understanding about the part that song can play in life To promote Giving Voice and make it more accessible to more people, e.g. through events, publications, recordings and partnerships To offer training, supervision and support for people using Giving Voice Principles: Members are people who want to support the Foundation's aims and principles, and contribute to its development Members, GV groups and the Foundation share a dynamic process of development The greatest benefits will come when members support the development of the Foundation as part of their own unique developmental process Each member joins the Foundation as a result of a personal decision to support it and its principles, and is free to reverse that decision at any time The Foundation aims to be fully inclusive and to promote equality and respect for all Being mindful of how we make choices affects the development of the Foundation Recognising our role as members has a beneficial impact on us all As the Foundation develops (see items 2 and 3), these principles may change. ​

SHOP Book | Recordings | Song Cards Buy our newly-published book Unlocking the Power of Song A Companion for Challenging Times By Jill Rakusen £25 (including UK P&P) Concessions available More info PayPal opens in a pop up Check for pop up blockers At present it's only available to purchase exclusively from us. Although we’re subsidising it hugely, we know the cost will still be out of reach for many. If you feel able to help others obtain a copy, please do add a donation using the button above. Other ways to pay ​ Send us a cheque , payable to NFGV, or Pay by Bank Transfer: National Foundation for Giving Voice 09-06-66 41174782 Give your name as the reference and remember to email us your name and address. Trustees A Message from the Foundation’s Trustees The Foundation has funded this book’s publication, and proceeds from its sale go towards these costs, which have largely involved design and printing. Most people, notably the author, have given their time and energy to this project with love and without remuneration. We are acutely aware that this valuable book will be out of reach for increasing numbers of people being affected by the soaring cost of living crisis. We therefore invite anyone who can afford it to make a donation so the book can be made available more cheaply, or even free, for those whose means are severely limited. And if you are such a person, please don’t hesitate to contact us so we can offer you a subsidised copy.