A SINGING group that became a lifeline for its founder is fighting to keep going despite a drop in members.

Karen Hughes, a retiree from Maldon, set up Sing Out Loud Chelmsford in 2008 before moving to Colchester and doing the same in October 2014.

At its healthiest there were 40 singers in Chelmsford, whose member - ship has now fallen by around half, and Mrs Hughes is desperate to boost its numbers.

The mother-of-two said: “I wanted to sing melody and harmony with other people and couldn’t find any groups offering the approach or genre of songs I wanted to sing.

“I don’t read music and didn’t wish to audition so I wasn’t looking for a choir. Sing Out Loud was the kind of group I was looking to join myself and I knew other people out there felt the same.

“In both groups we’ve had singers in their twenties through to their eighties and for some of them, including myself, it’s been a real lifeline.

“Coming to a group like this gives people an opportunity to make new friends and rebuild their lives.”

Sing Out Loud caters to all ages and abilities. Mrs Hughes said that after the breakdown of her marriage in 2004, singing brought her back to life.

She said: “I was so broken by this stage health-wise and emotionally, and I found singing very healing.

“Before I was unable to stand up and talk or sing in front of people and it’s something which would’ve scared the pants off me. However, with running the group I’ve noticed how it develops confidence with singing but also in other areas of members’ lives.

“I want people to work within their own comfort zone.

“It’s all about the joy of singing because if you can talk, you can sing.”

Free taster sessions run every Thursday between April 21 and May 19 at The Grove Road Evangelical Church, in Chelmsford, from 7.30pm-9.30pm.

Visit sing-out-loud.co.uk or call Karen on 07853 132633