There is one weekly event that Gwen Haigh makes sure she does not miss.

“I look forward to it every Wednesday. I love it and would be lost without it,” she says. “My health has improved since I started. It has done such a lot for me, it's been really great.”

At 80, Gwen decided to join a choir based in Eccleshill, close to her home.

“I thought it was time I tackled something new, so I went along,” says the great-grandmother, who is asthmatic and suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, characterised by breathlessness, frequent chest infections and coughs.

“I go for regular checks with my doctor and the last few times I’ve been, I have been told my lung capacity has improved,” she says. “I immediately linked it to singing.”

Called Let’s Sing, the choir was set up by community worker Anita Bolland who was inspired by TV choir leader Gareth Malone when he created a community choir in South Oxhey near Watford.

Anita, who works at the Ravenscliffe Community Development Project at The Gateway Community Centre, Ravenscliffe, applied for a Lottery grant to start the venture. She was delighted when awarded a £9,940 sum from Awards For All.

Just a handful of people made up the first gathering. That number has now swelled to almost 40 and the choir have performed a number of times in public. As well as giving pleasure to others, the choir has had a major impact upon the lives of those who joined, and not just socially.

“I’m always looking for ways to engage members of the community – that’s what my job is all about,” says Anita.

“I was raised on amateur dramatics – this has always been part of my life, and I’ve been singing in a chorus band myself for more than 23 years.”

She is a member of the Bradford-based Pennine Chimes ladies’ barbershop chorus. “I watched the Gareth Malone programme and was moved, it was fantastic. So, my colleague John Sheers and I put our heads together and thought it would be wonderful if we could start a choir in this community.”

Their application for Lottery cash was made in collaboration with colleagues from the NHS initiative Health on the Streets.

“We believed that a choir would hit a lot of targets,” explains Anita. “To bring people together and help reduce social isolation, as well as health benefits – it is proven that singing is good for the lungs and diaphragm and the body generally.”

They began with three small satellite choirs, in Ravenscliffe, Eccleshill and Thorpe Edge, then brought them all together.

“Once they caught the bug and wanted to sing, we agreed a venue,” says Anita, whose passion for the choir is plain to see. “We decided upon Eccleshill Mechanics Institute.”

Now, ever Wednesday, songs ring out from the building in Stone Hall Road, where people of all ages sing under the expert guidance of choir leader Heather Coulton.

Singing teacher Heather’s role is not only to teach and run the choir, but to promote the health and wellbeing aspects of it, “It is all intertwined,” she says, “Most people are unaware of this fact, but it is proven.”

She refers to a survey by Canterbury Christ Church University, stretching across England, Germany Australia, which found that 98 per cent of choir members reported the activity as having had a positive effect upon their lives.

“Choral singing raises spirits and stimulates happiness and this in turn prevents feelings of sadness and depression. Singing involves concentration which alleviates symptoms of worry and promotes relaxation.”

She remembers when she first arrived to take the choir. “Everyone was really shy and anxious and now I can't shut them up. There is a great atmosphere.”

Brenda Berkeley noticed changes in herself after joining. “When I first attended I was very quiet and my confidence was low, but it has definitely been boosted. When you are singing you don't think about anything else, you leave all your problems behind.”

She would not have considered joining a choir, but working as a volunteer at The Gateway, she decided to give it a go. “We do warm up exercises that help with your breathing and help you to relax.” When Brenda first heard a recording, she couldn't believe it. “I thought 'Is that really us?'” she says.

Heather, who is studying for a masters in composition at Leeds College of Music, is so proud of the choir members.

“It is so rewarding and satisfying to know that I'm helping to change people's lives for the better,” she says.

Says Anita: “It is fun, something different. People make friends – some say it is like adopting another family. One person joined because it was on their ‘bucket list’, and loves it. I cannot describe how uplifting it is.”

She adds: “It has far exceeded my expectations – the quality of the singing is amazing.”

Let’s Sing rehearse at Eccleshill Mechanics’ Institute, Stone Hall Road, on Wednesdays from 2pm to 4.30pm. For more information, ring Heather on 07875 644014.