The Welsh National Opera arts and health program, “Wellness with WNO,” has announced that it will be expanding as a rehabilitation service for other health conditions.

The program which was launched during COVID will include people living with persistent pain and myalgic encephalomyelitis/ chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).

“Wellness with WNO” is Wales’ first national socially prescribed program, developed with and offered by all seven Welsh Health Boards.

The program is supported by the Arts Council of Wales, NHS Wales, and the Welsh Government, and shares techniques and strategies used by professional opera singers to support breath control, lung function, circulation, and posture. Sessions are delivered in Welsh or English via Zoom to enable those living with breathlessness, fatigue, anxiety, and pain to have access to the program without any barriers due to geographical location or ability to attend in-person sessions.

In a statement “Wellness with WNO” participant June Evans said, ‘The Wellness with WNO programme has genuinely changed my life. I have several serious health conditions and live with constant pain and exhaustion. I always feel better after attending a session, because my spirit is lifted, and my pain is eased. The gentle exercises and the fun of taking part distracts my mind from my pain and stress. The benefits continue for days after each session, as I continue to practise the exercises and sing the songs whenever I feel my mood is lowering. And when I am struggling, my carer will start to sing one of the songs we have learnt, because he knows I won’t be able to resist joining in and that
my struggles will be lessened.”

“Wellness with WNO” is delivered in partnership with Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, Cardiff & Vale University Health Board, Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, Hywel Dda University Health Board, Powys Teaching Health Board and Swansea Bay University Health Board.