ENO announces 'Breathe' programme for people recovering from Covid-19

ENO Breathe is a social prescribing programme of singing, breathing, and wellbeing, aiming to support people recovering from Covid-19.

It brings together musical and medical expertise to address the need for support for those experiencing long Covid symptoms, drawing on techniques used by singers. 

The launch follows an initial six-week trial with 12 participants from September to November 2020, and will be now rolled out for up to 1000 patients through participating healthcare networks.

Participants will have access to weekly group online sessions and digital resources that offer tools and techniques to help them focus constructively on their breathing. 

Jenny Mollica, director of ENO Baylis said: 'The ENO are committed to making a difference to the lives of people and communities recovering from Covid-19, using our unique skills and resources in ways that are relevant and useful – and that matter to people. Following our successful pilot programme, we are hugely proud to be able to roll out ENO Breathe nationally, enabling us to support many more patients in their recovery from COVID and journey back to wellness.

'Combining cutting edge musical and medical expertise, we look forward to continuing our partnership with Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, and to working with post-COVID assessment clinics across the country in this next phase of the programme.'

Health and social care secretary Matt Hancock said: 'I am very grateful for the work of the ENO and Imperial College Healthcare Trust in helping those suffering from the impact of this terrible virus.'

The results of the pilot indicate that the programme gives participants tools and techniques that they will be able to use beyond the duration of the sessions.

Participant Jen says: 'I definitely know that during my day to day life, I'm calling upon things that I've done in the course. I've no doubt that ENO has been one of the causes of my progress over the last six weeks.'

For more information visit https://eno.org/