Hey Ho Music Group

The Hey Ho music group from St John’s Church Palmeria Square has been set up by Simon Lovett to combat social isolation, for people with long term illness including depression and anxiety.

On Sunday 23 February, the Hey Ho Music Group performed and spoke at St John the Baptist Church, Hove.

The event, Music over Mind, demonstrated how the group work with those affected by long-term severe pain or illness, and those with anxiety and stress, to support and relieve them through active participation in music. Led by Simon Lovett, the afternoon both showcased the talent of the group, and also included two members talking about how the group has helped them to get out again, overcome their sense of isolation, and beyond that to re-build their confidence and socialisation skills. The afternoon also included a short talk about the sound bath technique, a therapy using gongs to access and build a sense of physical and mental well-being. The Church provided an ideal space for the audience to sit surrounding the music group, with a particularly good acoustic, enhancing the enjoyment of the music. The Priest in Charge, the Rev Earl Collins, opened the performance by welcoming the group to the church, where they regularly meet and rehearse.