Charlotte Church reveals Powys singing wellbeing programme

The new ‘Song of the Soul’ programme is curated and led by Charlotte herself at her wellbeing retreat, The Dreaming in The Elan Valley. The series of signature retreats is scheduled throughout 2024 and will also include a “delicious dose of power ballading at night and silent discos at dawn”.

“This isn’t about singing and voice in a performance sense, and you don’t need to be a singer to take part. Singing and using your voice is a birth right and we use this to ask, ‘Who are we and what is our place and role in the world?’” said Charlotte.

The course is inspired by her own decades-long time as ‘The Voice of An Angel’, and later as a political activist using her voice to press for political change around issued such as phone hacking, austerity and sexism.

Charlotte now wants her life experience and work “to empower others in discovering their authentic selves, and to understand and harness the power of their own voice in the world”. (Image: Elliot Cooper)

Charlotte now wants her life experience and work “to empower others in discovering their authentic selves, and to understand and harness the power of their own voice in the world”.

“Although it took courage for me to speak out on many things, for a long time I’d been hiding. Because I was being so observed, I felt I had to be contained so I could protect a lot of people, including myself, and so my ability to be vulnerable and to really re-write my soul and story felt totally out of reach,” said Charlotte.

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“But through exploratory vocal practises, breath work and finding a deep connection to joy I’ve found my voice again.

"I want to share this knowledge and practises with other people, so we can start to explore what might be holding you back and gently guide those parts of you into the light, eventually discovering what makes your soul sing and what you want to give to the world.”

The new programme is “a transformative wellbeing program that blends scientific research, ancient indigenous practices, and her personal experiences with sound to help people uncover their unique voice in the world”.

On what participants can expect, Charlotte added: “During your time at the ‘Song of The Soul’ retreat at The Dreaming, nature will be a constant companion and source of inspiration with practices like 'Singing to the Land’ and crafting with natural materials, drawing from the ancient practices of our ancestors so we re-connect with who we are and where we are from.

“But it’s not all soul-searching and deep diving into your emotions - we’re also gonna have bags of fun as you join me for power ballading at night and silent discos at dawn – and we’ll even create our own music.

“It’s important to stress again that this retreat is for everyone – singers, and non-singers alike.

“You do not have to be a musician to unlock the power of your voice.”

Charlotte said the programme had been inspired by her “very deep love for humanity” and

“It pains me to see what this tumultuous world is doing to people’s mental health and wellbeing,” she added. “Whether through experiences like 'the dreaming' or 'song of the soul,' my goal is to equip people with tools they can take home, also empowering them to be healers in their own communities.

"Song of the Soul is a culmination of my life's work, and I am looking forward to sharing this transformative programme with others, which is open to anyone who wants to feel empowered, loved and rooted in themselves.”

For more information about the 'Song of the Soul' programme and The Dreaming Retreat, please visit www.thedreaming.co.uk/songofthesoul