Camelon community choir sing out for Mental Health Awareness Week
Freedom of Mind Community Choir (FOM) will be singing their hearts out again at two special performances in their 10th anniversary year.
A FOM spokesperson said: “Singing makes you feel good. Freedom Of Mind Community Choir, a local trailblazer in using music to support mental health, celebrates its 10th anniversary with two special events during Mental Health Awareness Week 2026 with its continued ‘prescription of song’ for residents across Falkirk.
"Having grown from a small gathering into a vital community pillar, the choir’s milestone has already gained national recognition, with Michael Matheson MSP recently lodging a motion in the Scottish Parliament to congratulate the group on ten years of dedicated service to the community.”
A free public concert takes place from 12.30pm to 1.15pm on Monday, May 11 at The Kelpies in Helix Park and will be followed by a private celebratory performance at Rosebank Distillery, in Camelon Road, Falkirk from 7pm to 8.30pm on Wednesday, May 13.
Kim Edgar, co-musical director of FOM, said: “When we started 10 years ago, we knew singing makes people feel better, but we didn’t anticipate just how many lives it would change.
"This anniversary isn’t just about the music – it’s about the growing confidence and self worth of our members, the friendships formed, and the joy and sense of belonging that our members have been able to bring to lonely and isolated people in our community, through feel-good, singalong performances.”
“Over the last decade, the choir has become a safe haven for those navigating mental health challenges: with no auditions, and no need to read music, the only requirement is a willingness to join in.
“Research consistently shows that group singing reduces cortisol levels and boosts endorphins, providing a "natural high" to choir members and singalong audiences alike.”
Steven Arnott, Rosebank general manager, added: “We’re delighted to host the Freedom Of Mind Community Choir at Rosebank as part of their 10‑year celebrations during Mental Health Awareness Week.
"The positive impact they make through bringing people together and championing the mental health benefits of group singing is hugely important, and we’re proud to support their work with this special celebration at the distillery.”