The Epic Awards, now in their sixth year, are the premier awards for voluntary arts groups based in United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland, shining a light on their achievements and aiming to inspire others to get involved and participate in artistic and creative activities.  

The Awards are run by Voluntary Arts with support from Spirit of 2012, and many of the 60,000 voluntary arts groups eligible in the UK and ROI have put themselves forward for the Awards. The judging panels in each of the nations selected eight groups from Ireland, six from Wales, eight from Scotland and nine from England to be awarded shortlist status. The Winner and runner up from each nation will be announced on April 2 at Cardiff Castle.

The public also had the opportunity to vote online for their favourite shortlisted group for the People’s Choice Award. The vote which closed this week revealed Strike a Chord, a singing group from South Wales supporting stroke survivors, as the public’s favourite.

The Stroke Association collaborated with Head4Arts, a community arts organisation in South Wales who had achieved success with choirs for people with dementia, mental ill-health, and palliative care. After a singing session at the Cwmbran Stroke Support Group and some joint funding, Strike a Chord was born.

Strike a Chord is a project that helps stroke survivors towards recovery by singing and participating in a choir. Research shows that singing helps patients recover both physically and psychologically from medical conditions.

There are 1.2 million stroke survivors across the UK and 1 in 3 are left with aphasia post-stroke. Singing aids them to communicate more clearly, regain control over muscles and ease their frustrations. 

Meeting weekly for an hour after their stroke support group minimised fatigue and travel for members. By May 2015, 17 members had joined Strike a Chord.

Alison Shone, Musical Director of the Strike a Chord choir said: “We want to say a gigantic thank you to everyone who has voted for us. Also a thank you to all the people who shared the choir’s story with their family, friends, colleagues and neighbours across Wales and the UK. The response has been overwhelming and, most importantly for the choir, we have had several new members join us. I couldn’t be prouder to be part of such a fantastic group of people who have taught me so much in return.”