Voices of Strength
Oct
After receiving a crushing diagnosis, Roger Hampton decided to turn his situation into one of hope, not just himself, but for others too
“All my life, I’ve always been fit and healthy. I wasn’t expecting this,” says Roger Hampton. He gazes out into the autumn garden at his north Cardiff home.
As a young man, Roger spent three years in the 1st Queen’s Dragoon Guards, based in Germany before spending 28 and a half years in South Wales Police.
“On retiring from the police at the age of 50, I needed to get another job; I was certainly not ready to be fully retired but found it a real struggle to get anything because of my lack of academic qualifications.
“I had always enjoyed gardening; my role in the police before retiring was managing the community safety department. I felt that keeping a garden maintained, particularly for pensioners and vulnerable adults, was in a way continuing this role, and so I started my own gardening business.
“My father-in-law was a market gardener and brother-in-law a landscape gardener, so in a way I was following a family interest.”
But the course of Roger’s life changed when he received a diagnosis in 2019.
“Two years prior to this, I had noticed a tremor in my left hand and upon checking it out, I was informed it was just an essential tremor and nothing to worry about. Two years later, I received a diagnosis of Parkinson’s. It was a shock but not completely out of the blue as I’d guessed something wasn’t right.
“After a few days of coming to terms with it, my wife and I decided to carry on as normal and cope with problems as and when they arose. I have a strong Christian faith and that has helped me no end. Having Parkinson’s isn’t great; every day is a struggle, but you either give in or get on and I’m not one to give in.
“I have always loved music and had been a tuba player in The City of Cardiff (Melingriffith) Brass Band for a long time. It was something I really enjoyed doing but my tremor worsened and I developed a pain in my neck. It became increasingly difficult to play; I knew I’d have to give that up and find an alternative music interest to embrace.
“Both my two sisters, my mother, and my grandmother, they all sang in choirs. I love singing and so a choir was always going to be my first port of call.
“I looked around but I couldn’t find a choir that suited my needs – specifically a choir that was geared for people with Parkinson’s. It was a fruitless search. In the end, I got together with some friends, who also have Parkinson’s, one of whom had a connection with the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama (RWCMD). They are very community-minded and they were delighted that we had approached them as it helped them fulfil their commitments to the community. They have been amazing, and have supplied a rehearsal base, a conductor and pianist, as well as a few students to boost our voices and aid their course requirements.”
The choir officially launched in October 2024 and since launching, the choir has averaged about 21 members, a mixture of those with the condition plus spouses and caregivers.
“We had a few names for the choir floating around so we all had a vote and decided to call it Good Vibrations Chorus. The essence of it is free, fun, and friendship, something that’s flowed through the group from day one.
“During termtime, we meet at lunchtimes at St John’s Church in the city centre. We’re not permanently based there but we are often joined by students from the college,” says Roger.
The choir benefits its members in several different ways.
“The singing provides physical benefits; it releases endorphins, those feel-good hormones we get when we are happy. The singing also exercises the face and neck muscles and keeps our brains active. But more than that, the choir provides a community for like-minded people, where we can just be ourselves whether it’s a good day or a bad day, everyone understands.”
The physical benefits offered by the choir is carefully thought through:
“Our conductor, Josh, formerly of Only Men Aloud has certainly done his homework. He challenges us in some wonderful ways and not just related to the singing. He has done his research into the condition and tailors his exercises to help us. Singing strengthens our voices and even helps with face drop, one of the more well-known symptoms of the condition. Also, dual tasking – we do actions to go with the songs to challenge our brains at the same time.”
The songs, often chosen for their upbeat demeanour lifts both the participants and those listening.
“Ironically, singing happy songs can set my tremor off,” adds Roger. “It’s one of the quirks of Parkinson’s! But physical exercise is so important to help with our condition.
“The aim is to help improve the quality of life. You can’t ignore the condition, and you can’t run away from it, so looking to embrace it is the next best thing. Having something to look forward to can really help too, which is why the choir is so important to both myself and those who are part of it.”
The choir is currently working on some Christmas arrangements, something both the choir members and its audience will enjoy.
“We always have a cuppa after a choir session and it’s there that people feel comfortable and confident enough to open up about their condition. The first thing most people do when they get a diagnosis is to look it up online but my advice would be to speak to someone who already has it or a local branch of your Parkinson’s group to get a more balanced viewpoint. You’re unlikely to get all the symptoms and strangely, you get some that come and then go and then come back again months later.”
The fledgling choir has already helped both individuals and their loved ones, and hopefully will continue to be there for those who need it in the future.
“Our mission has never been about prestige or being the best. It’s not about the choir- it’s about what it can do for those who are in it. We have wives, carers, husbands. We sing modern day songs and classics – everybody who’s been touched by Parkinson’s are welcome. No experience needed!”
Find out more at:
www.rwcmd.ac.uk/community/good-vibrations-chorus
If you need help with anything related to Parkinson’s, you can find more information from your local branch here: localsupport.parkinsons.org.uk/provider/cardiff-branch
There is also a Cardiff-based Parkinson’s football team at phoenix681fc.club
