Companion Voices – England UK

Companion Voices are groups of people located in the UK, who meet to learn songs and prepare together for singing at the bedsides of people who are dying. We sing for people on request and by arrangement.

“My experience of learning to become a Companion has been profoundly rewarding and satisfying. It is a great privilege to be able to offer the gift of our voices and our support to those who wish to accept it”  ~ Kay.

Learning groups typically have up to sixteen participants, with the idea of creating close-knit and trusting relationships – vocally and emotionally. Participants pay to be part of the learning groups and, after an initial session to be sure there is a good fit with the group, commit to blocks of sessions; these are not drop-in singing groups and a steady set of people is necessary. It is intended that, as soon as possible, funding be found so that participants may join learning groups free of charge. Read more…

Bedside Singing

At any time, people who would like to have singing at their own or a friend or family member’s bedside can contact their local group and arrange for a small number (probably between two and four members) to come and sing. This may take place in a family home, residential home, hospital, hospice or wherever the person happens to be. There is no charge for this, though if people want to make a donation to Companion Voices they are free to do so. Read more…

The Songs

Companion Voices’ songs are chosen to serve the purpose of creating a soundscape for people that will be comforting, relaxing and undemanding. To this end, they are simple and repetitive, drawn from a wide range of different traditions, and may have words in languages unknown to the recipient. Singers are trained to sing these songs but also to respond intuitively in the moment, perhaps improvising, taking the volume up or down, tapering to a single voice, hum or whatever seems the best fit.

It is possible for more familiar songs to be woven in on the request of the recipient, their friends or family, but this is not the real thrust of the idea: the singing is not for the purpose of entertainment or ‘cheering up’, but more to accompany and honour the person or people receiving it; not to pull them back towards life and the familiar but to allow them to progress forward knowing they are not alone; to give them a sense that their experience is held and acknowledged by the singers and their voices as they take their leave of life. Read more…

Meet Our Founder and Directors

Judith Silver – Founder and Director

Judith Silver is musician by profession and longstanding member of the Natural Voice Network and Musicians’ Union. She is a gifted and experienced choir leader and composer. Earlier in her life she was a teacher of English to speakers of other languages and in a primary school. She moved into doing music full-time when she turned thirty.

She founded the first Companion Voices group in Brighton, February 2014. Inspired by the Threshold Choirs in the States and having had the vision and intention to start such a project in the UK for over a decade, she had long been waiting for the time to feel right. Her passion for the work of creating a community, a network of like-minded people who all feel drawn to this profound service is still as strong as it was at the start – actually stronger as it has drawn more and more amazing people to it, building momentum and focus.

Working with people who wish to become Companions and with those we sing for is one of the greatest blessings of her life and a true privilege.

Julie Barnes – Director

With a background in public social care research and inspection, Julie works independently as a counsellor, coach, supervisor and facilitator, using person centred principles and appreciative inquiry.   She uses experiential creative approaches to help individuals and groups explore their own questions, recognising their strengths and empowering themselves to unlock their potential.  She is a volunteer counsellor at the Nottinghamshire Hospice and an Associate of the Oasis School for Human Relations in Yorkshire.

She has trained as a funeral celebrant and Soul Midwife, supporting people at the end of life, encouraging people to reflect on and talk about their relationship with death and dying through individual work, death café and workshops.  Her poem What Would Love Do Now? has inspired workshops on Imagining a Good Death and has been brought to life in the song cycle and video created with Judith Silver and Cliff Braverman.

She is passionate about the benefits of music and singing for everyone, co-leading Blue Skies, a singing group for older people with dementia; and is the co-leader of Nottingham Companion Voices.  She has been on the Board of the Companion Voices CIC since January 2024.

Johanna Bramham – Assistant

Johanna supports the Directors for Companion Voices CIC and with administration for the organisation. She focuses on communications, marketing & social media and fundraising.

Her professional journey has taken her through advisory roles with green community interest companies, higher education and social impact charities. She has a deep appreciation for the experience of singing with the local group of Companion Voices in Nottingham.

As a mindful compassion practitioner, mental health first aider, and facilitator, Johanna is passionate about supporting others in the ways they choose to serve their communities. Johanna spends half a day each week with Companion Voices, values connecting, and if you are in touch will get back to you as soon as she’s able.
You can reach Johanna at info [AT] companionvoices [DOT] org.

Interview with Judith:
Judith was interviewed in August 2015 by Gil Karpas from JMI about the project, please listen below: