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Collect our Book at an Event UNLOCKING the POWER of SONG: a COMPANION for CHALLENGING TIMES. ​ ​ It is a songbook, with a difference.* ​ It's available from 26 March 2022, but you can order it now. We are not wanting the cost to be out of reach of anybody; and although we’re subsidising the book hugely, we know the cost will still be out of reach for some people. So if you feel able to help with subsidising a book, please do make a donation. ​ ​ ​ ​ ' ​ ​ *What’s different about this Songbook? ​ It contains 28 of Jill's songs, the background to each song, showing not only how it came into being, but also, through that process, illuminating aspects of what each song can offer It contains contributions from a pool of countless people who have found aspects of the Giving Voice Process helpful in their lives It illustrates how song can be harnessed – by anyone, in any situation and unusually it is particularly about harnessing song on our own, even in silence It introduces key aspects of of this unique approach, and explores ways in which we relate to music, and the implications It manifests a process of developing awareness and understanding It truly is a life-enhancing Companion for challenging times ​ ​ ​ Not a Pay Pal user? Do not worry. Go to PayPal Checkout and click on Pay by Debit or Credit Card 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 Reference your name and email us your name and address. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

PRESS INFORMATION Our approach has been found to offer much to a wide range of people, dealing with diverse issues. Called Giving Voice (GV) , or the GV Process , it’s helped Jill, its founder, and many others, improve their level of functioning in all sorts of ways. ​ And now our self-directed guide – Unlocking the Power of Song: A Companion for Challenging Times – can enable an even wider range of people to benefit. JUNE 2023​ ​ See our press release Find a Companion for Life in Jill Rakusen’s book for Challenging Times via Pressat ​ Media Pack of images and other documents comprising Cover of book - Unlocking the Power of Song Chapter 2 ‘Who’s this book for?’ Tree of comments (image from book) Getting the most out of this approach Picture of the Author If you have a particular audience in mind, please let us know , so we can tailor information for you. Alternatively some of our blogposts may be illuminating – GV and physical problems Some abuse survivors’ stories GV's effects on relationships and attitudes to others Handling disability at home and at work Sandra’s story following traumatic bereavement Deirdre’s story – after the death of a baby Bringing rest into my day Our relationship with singing – GV’s impact Promoting Peace wit h GV GV, spirituality and religion ​ Even experienced students of our work can find it difficult to describe this unique approach. The rest of our website provides insight (eg What we’re about ), as do our FAQs . To interview Jill, contact us

RESOURCES | Book | Song Cards | Recordings | Foundation Membership COURSES & EVENTS | Making the most of our book | Giving Voice for Peace Giving Voice for Peace Giving Voice for Peace (GV4P) is for people who not only desire peace – in our lives and in the world – but who also wish to develop (greater) skill in finding and promoting it, to strengthen the capacity to resist its opposite, and who are open to learning how song can support and teach us in this regard. ​ GV4P can enable us to address complex feelings about world events, and the overall world situation; and to grow harmony and compassion – within ourselves and in the world. It can take us beyond 'personal development’, as the focus becomes the whole, and the part that the whole needs us to play. ​ Participants experiences with using Giving Voice to promote peace. ​ ​ In response to the COVID-19 challenges, we transferred Giving Voice for Peace online. ​ Anyone who wants to promote peace is welcome to join our Giving Voice for Peace Facebook group – where recordings, blog posts and personal experiences will be shared. If you can’t face joining Facebook, do let us know , as we might be able to sort out an alternative for you. (Jill herself has only just joined, on the promise that Caroline would be able to set her up in a way that few can see her!). GVfP has usually taken place on the 3rd Thursday of each month, although people often continue their process throughout the month. Although it may vary. what Jane and Flo think: "I have a new understanding of how song can promote peace.” Jane “I’m beginning to "be" with others in a different way (and others are noticing the change). My life is gradually being transformed, and I’m noticing a ripple effect.” Flo, after doing regular GV4P Other participants experiences of using Giving Voice to promote peace. History of GV for Peace GV4P was initiated as a response to Bradford riots in 2001: some local participants, realising GV’s potential, wanted to develop and hone their capacity to use song as a way of moving beyond negative feelings of all kinds – and thereby better promote peace. After the shocking events of 11th September in the USA – just a few weeks later – GV4P took on a more global focus, and this led to the establishment of regular GV4P sessions, including at a distance. ​ Two particular songs of Jill’s were increasingly shared: The Time Has Come, and the Song About Finding Peace, with a clear focus on supporting anyone wishing to become more skilled in promoting peace. ​ Given the unprecedented challenges the world is facing, the need to be respectful, compassionate and steadfast is ever greater. Do contact us if you'd like to explore participation in GV4P – either ‘in person’ or 'at a distance’ – eg through our Giving Voice for Peace Facebook group ​ ​

First Printing of Unlocking the Power of Song - updates noted. ​ UNLOCKING THE POWER OF SONG: a Companion for Challenging Times. ​ ​ It is a songbook containing 28 of Jill’s songs and much more. The first 25 copies have now been printed and we are collecting minor amendments to put in place before the next much larger batch is printed in March. ​ AMENDMENTS ​ Watermark images will be adjusted so they do not run across the crease in the spine of the book. Pages 26, 50, 100, 126, 134, 148,172, 258, 262, 294, 320, 332. Typos page 207 - telements; in the garden I was fortunate in having access to p125 Extra comma The Four Key Elements,, for instance strange lines on page 186 p98 lyrics - I am worthy to be caressed - change to I was born to be carressed p167 Useful Links Say I love you to the world p255 change to p170 ​ ​ ​ If you find any other problems please email us at info@givingvoicefoundation.org.uk ​ ​

Unlocking the Power of Song: Blog The posts in this blog illustrate: how the Giving Voice Process (GV ) can enable us to foster and strengthen our inner resources, through developing our capacity to Unlock the Power of Song and that this can be achieved whether we sing aloud or not. All Posts Challenging times Participants' experiences Resting Disability M.E. Isolation Peace Covid-19 Children Work A Song about Finding Peace A Way Through Uncharted Territory Being Chant I See Beauty The Time Has Come Jill Rakusen Rachel Healey Search GV Participants (Various) May 25 2 min Participants' experiences Our relationship with music – GV's impact “It’s made me think differently about music.” Colm Many of us have a relationship with music, and song, that separates us from it – as... 3 views 0 comments Post not marked as liked GV Participants (Various) May 23 2 min Participants' experiences GV's effects on relationships and attitudes to others Here various participants share about how GV has impacted on their relationships and attitudes to others, and how some have harnessed one... 0 views 0 comments Post not marked as liked GV Participants (Various) May 23 7 min Participants' experiences Our relationship with singing – GV's impact “GV singing is never commonplace, never ordinary.” Christine “Singing has always been important to me. Now I’ve realised just how... 1 view 0 comments Post not marked as liked GV Participants (Various) May 23 4 min Participants' experiences GV – Some professionals’ comments Of the many professionals that Jill has worked with, some have made a point of sharing their experiences as professionals. Malgorzata,... 1 view 0 comments Post not marked as liked GV Participants (Various) May 18 4 min Participants' experiences Impact on daily life Two important aspects of GV are: how we can draw on it in our daily lives, and however 'musical' or 'unmusical' we believe we are, we... 3 views 0 comments Post not marked as liked GV Participants (Various) May 18 4 min Participants' experiences GV, spirituality and religion GV's potential for universal appeal Many people have revealed how GV offers a profound experience, regardless of religious or spiritual... 0 views 0 comments Post not marked as liked GV Participants (Various) May 18 1 min Participants' experiences Some participants' poetic contributions 1. Anna, an award-winning poet, wrote this poem in response to experiencing Jill's song The Time Has Come (Song No. 14 in Unlocking the... 1 view 0 comments Post not marked as liked GV Participants (Various) Apr 27 2 min Participants' experiences Justine's Story - Creativity, Understanding and Spirituality An artist who had stopped painting, Justine wrote to Jill after attending some regular group sessions for a few months: “I wanted to... 5 views 0 comments Post not marked as liked GV Participants (Various) Apr 22 5 min Participants' experiences GV and physical problems "[GV] gives power and strength when physically I am ill and spent” Arlene “GV was a fantastic resource for me to use during labour” Val... 13 views 0 comments Post not marked as liked GV Participants (Various) Apr 15 4 min Participants' experiences Denise's story - encountering unfamiliar territory Connecting with the power of song can take us to surprising places and unfamiliar territory. Through attending a group and having... 1 view 0 comments Post not marked as liked GV Participants (Various) Apr 15 2 min Challenging times Deirdre's story - after the death of a baby "My life has always involved loading myself with jobs when I’m feeling down. This, inevitably, leads to me feeling more overwhelmed with... 3 views 0 comments Post not marked as liked GV Participants (Various) Apr 15 3 min Participants' experiences Jack's story - the impact of monthly group GV sessions - over a 5-year period These monthly sessions led Jack to experience himself in freeing and unfamiliar ways; they also led to a heightened sense of awareness,... 1 view 0 comments Post not marked as liked GV Participants (Various) Apr 15 4 min Participants' experiences Some abuse survivors' stories Of the many people who have claimed benefit from GV, it's possible that only a few people disclosed their history of abuse. Of those who... 5 views 0 comments Post not marked as liked GV Participants (Various) Apr 15 2 min I See Beauty Sandra's story following traumatic bereavement – aspects of her recovery process Sandra was attending a Giving Voice (GV) and Mental Health course, to see if it might help her after the death of her son in violent... 8 views 0 comments Post not marked as liked Rachel Healey Feb 14 5 min Resting Handling disability at home and at work – Rachel writes "For seven years I’d been living with a diagnosis of M.E. and for the first two of those years I was confined to bed much of the time. ... 18 views 0 comments Post not marked as liked Caroline Thorpe Jan 25, 2021 2 min Covid-19 Bringing rest into my day Hi Caroline here I had a bit of a shock a couple of weeks ago - a positive Covid-19 test! Luckily I only had VERY mild symptoms. However... 46 views 0 comments Post not marked as liked Rachel Healey May 14, 2020 4 min Covid-19 Singing together when we’re alone - how Giving Voice is different from a choir In this article I look at aspects of how Giving Voice differs from singing in a choir, even a virtual choir. Giving Voice is a personal re 13 views 0 comments Post not marked as liked Rachel Healey May 5, 2020 4 min Isolation Using Giving Voice to address feelings of fear and anxiety In this time of the global pandemic, there is a lot of fear and anxiousness around. Fear for ourselves and our loved ones. Fear of the un 18 views 0 comments 1 like. Post not marked as liked 1 Jill Rakusen May 1, 2020 4 min Jill Rakusen What does our Giving Voice approach offer during the Covid-19 pandemic? – – over and above the exhilaration, the joy, the beauty, that can be experienced though singing? Here Jill Rakusen, founder of Giving... 61 views 1 comment 3 likes. Post not marked as liked 3 Rachel Healey Apr 16, 2020 3 min Isolation Giving Voice and me, during lockdown and isolation My name is Rachel Healey. I teach Giving Voice and have been practising it in my own life since 1998. This is my first blog. In this art 18 views 0 comments Post not marked as liked All Posts (21) 21 posts Challenging times (2) 2 posts Participants' experiences (14) 14 posts Resting (2) 2 posts Disability (1) 1 post M.E. (1) 1 post Isolation (4) 4 posts Peace (1) 1 post Covid-19 (6) 6 posts Children (0) 0 posts Work (1) 1 post A Song about Finding Peace (2) 2 posts A Way Through Uncharted Territory (1) 1 post Being Chant (1) 1 post I See Beauty (1) 1 post The Time Has Come (2) 2 posts Jill Rakusen (1) 1 post Rachel Healey (0) 0 posts