Singing for Health: Helping Palmy Breathe Easier with SYLO
What is the Project?
Every Thursday at midday, the Community Leisure Centre on Ferguson Street fills with a very special kind of music. Sing Your Lungs Out (SYLO) is an incredible local initiative that combines music therapy and physiotherapy to help Manawatū residents living with severe respiratory conditions—such as asthma, COPD, and recovery from major heart surgeries. Through specialized breathing exercises and the joy of group singing, participants find both clinical relief and a deeply supportive community.
Why it Matters
For years, SYLO has been a literal lifesaver for its 20+ members, many of whom are referred directly by local doctors, nurses, or the hospital’s respiratory department. Unfortunately, due to Health NZ cost-cutting, crucial funding from Think Hauora (the Manawatū PHO) was completely withdrawn. With venue costs rising over $900 a year and professional music therapy fee per session, the group’s operational costs spike well over $5,000 annually. Despite the generous gold-coin donations from attendees, SYLO faced a devastating financial shortfall that threatened to silence the group for good. The session is stimulating and the members contribute to the choice of songs which gives them a sense of belonging and contributing, and the song becomes known as ‘John’s choice’ which they take a sense of pride in.
The Lions’ Impact
The Lions Club of Middle Districts couldn’t let this vital community asset disappear. In December 2025, we stepped in to provide a crucial community grant to bridge the funding gap for Sing Your Lungs Out (SYLO), ensuring their doors could stay open and their sessions remained free and accessible to those who need them most.
By backing SYLO, this grant continues to deliver immediate benefits to our community:
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Improved Respiratory Health: Participants learn vital techniques, like diaphragmatic breathing, which significantly reduces shortness of breath and coughing.
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Mental Wellbeing & Confidence: Overcoming the anxiety of breathlessness in a safe, joyful environment.
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Combating Isolation: Creating a tight-knit “small family” environment where older adults and vulnerable residents can connect over a cuppa where brainstorming occurs for song ideas, memories are shared, and current relevant community info discussed.
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Sustaining Local Experts: Allowing the group to retain their professional music therapist, while our amazing local physiotherapist continues her generous pro-bono work.
To learn more about how we support grassroots initiatives across Palmerston North, or to get involved with our upcoming projects, visit our blog at
