Linda finds her voice late in life

When Linda’s granddaughter, Francesca brought a Ukulele home from school, she thought ‘If she can do it, I can do it.” Linda had never played a musical instrument but a Ukulele only has four strings, so she thought – ‘how difficult can it be?’

She started off playing Ba Ba Black Sheep in her garden shed but soon wanted more. She found the Jack Drum Ukulele Ensemble on Facebook and thought she’d go along.

Finding the love and learning together

“As soon as I walked in it felt very friendly,” Linda recalls and describes how the organisers are very considerate and careful in how people are brought in.

At first, the strumming patterns were difficult, but Linda wasn’t deterred.

“If I could watch what the others were doing, I could soon pick it up,” she says.

That Christmas she invested in some Ukeleles for her family, and they played Christmas songs as a group in the house. One of the best feelings for Linda is taking a song she knows, like a George Harrison song and learning to play it. And playing in a group just amplifies that feeling.

“Those two hours are like a Spa Day,” Linda says, smiling, “It’s a massive lift, it’s euphoria when you come out.”

Recognising the transformative power of collective music making

Over the last few years Linda has had some difficult struggles with her own health and stress as well as the health issues of her friends and family. This had taken its toll on her wellbeing and confidence. Since joining the group last September she’s seen a complete transformation.

“It’s the comradery of playing in a group. We become a unit, joined together and you can feel it. People speak to each other differently. It’s a lifeline for everyone’s wellbeing.”

She now goes out with the group to play in old people’s homes as well as in her daughter’s school. She’s also got involved in fund raising for the group.  And the biggest surprise of all?

 “I didn’t even know I could sing. I came along and they said ‘you’ve got a good voice’, I’m 72 and I never knew I had a good voice.”

Linda’s story is a shining example of how music can uplift, connect, and inspire all of us at any stage of life.