On a Tuesday evening in Billingham, something quietly lovely happens. As the day loosens its grip and coats are hung by the door, voices begin to gather. Not perfect voices. Real ones. Curious ones. The kind that carry the day with them and then gently set it down. This is Billingham Community Choir, and it has become a small but steady heartbeat of connection in the town.

Led with warmth and humour by Gemma and Dan Boorsma, the choir meets every Tuesday evening at Billingham Catholic Club. There are no auditions, no expectations, and no pressure to sound like anyone else. You turn up as you are. You sing. You leave a little lighter than when you arrived.

Each session begins gently. A few warm-ups, some laughter as voices find their footing, and then the music starts to take shape. Songs are learned together at a relaxed, supportive pace, with encouragement flowing freely across the room. By the end, there is usually a run-through or two and that unmistakable feeling of shared accomplishment. It is less about getting it right and more about being in it together.

The choir was set up in partnership with Here/Now, working alongside Matt Campbell, with wellbeing at its core. Singing, after all, is one of those rare things that asks very little and gives a lot back.

Matt puts it simply: “The community choir was originally set up to help support wellbeing in the community using singing as an outlet. It is one of the happiest and most uplifting sessions I’ve been to.”

For Gemma, the magic lies in what people bring and what they leave behind. “It’s become a wonderful meeting place,” she says, “where people can let go of their worries for an hour, breathe a bit deeper, and just enjoy singing together.”

Billingham Community Choir is open to all abilities and all backgrounds. Whether you sing every day or haven’t sung since school, there is a place for you in the room.

You can find out more, including how to join, the next session and what it’s all about on the Here/Now website.