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This thesis has been submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for a postgraduate degree (e.g. PhD, MPhil, DClinPsychol) at the University of Edinburgh. Please note the following terms and conditions of use: This work is protected by copyright and other intellectual property rights, which are retained by the thesis author, unless otherwise stated. A copy can be downloaded for personal non-commercial research or study, without prior permission or charge. This thesis cannot be reproduced or quoted extensively from without first obtaining permission in writing from the author. The content must not be changed in any way or sold commercially in any format or medium without the formal permission of the author. When referring to this work, full bibliographic details including the author, title, awarding institution and date of the thesis must be given. ‘I am someone, I am not invisible': Exploring choirs and community singing groups for people who have experienced homelessness Shelly Coyne PhD The University of Edinburgh 2019 1 3 Acknowledgements Undertaking doctoral research at Edinburgh University and conducting this study has been a huge privilege and there have been many crucial people who have made the process both possible and enjoyable. Firstly, I am especially grateful to my research participants, who gave so freely of their time and knowledge. I truly hope I have captured your experiences and reported them in a way that does you justice. Special thanks to Matt Peacock MBE from Streetwise Opera and With One Voice, and Marie Benton from Choir With No Name, for welcoming me so warmly into you organisations. Prof. Raymond MacDonald, Dr. Niamh Moore and Dr. Katie Overy really made the perfect dream team of supervisors. Thank you to you all for your wisdom, care and kindness and most definitely for all the laughs over the past four years. This research would not have been possible without the generous funding awarded by the Scottish Graduate School for Arts and Humanities. Prof. Dee Heddon and her team receive special thanks for the support, training opportunities and for creating such a warm SGSAH network. One of the great benefits to doing a PhD is the new research friends you gather along the way. Big thanks to George and Jeanette Low, Tomke Kossen-Veenhuis, Diljeet Bhachu, Emma Moore and Una McGlone. I am particularly indebted to Joy Vamvakari, who started the same day as me and together we have navigated a path through doctoral studies. Thank you for being so generous with your time and knowledge; it would have been much duller and lonelier with you. I am lucky to have had support and encouragement from some great friends and family too. Thank you to Andy Smith, Jo Whiteford, Melanie Coyne, Christine Coyne and Katrina Taylor. Four very special trainee guide dogs must also be acknowledged: Rocky, Reggie, Victor and Duke. You not only brightened up our office, but you kept my feet on the ground, were loyal companions, great listeners and made sure my wellbeing remained intact. Finally, I would like to thank Chris, who never doubted I would make it and was there at ever hurdle. Deep thanks to you for continuous encouragement, for endless chats about the research, your great advice and love. This thesis is dedicated to Carmel and Jim, my mum and dad Thank you for your love and support 4 Contents LIST OF TABLES……………………………………………………………………………...8 ABSTRACT…..……………………………………………………………………………..…10 CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION .............................................................................. 12 1.1 Background ........................................................................................................ 13 1.2 Choirs and Community Singing Groups .......................................................... 16 1.3 Homelessness .................................................................................................... 16 1.4 Singing and Homelessness .............................................................................. 20 1.5 International Work ............................................................................................. 24 1.6 Terminology ....................................................................................................... 26 1.7 Structure of the Thesis ...................................................................................... 28 CHAPTER 2 WHAT IS IT ABOUT MUSIC? .......................................................... 32 2.1 Why Music? ........................................................................................................ 32 2.2 Why Singing? ..................................................................................................... 35 2.3 The Impact of Singing on Wellbeing and Quality of Life ................................. 36 2.4 Group Singing and Homeless ........................................................................... 45 2.5 Music Engagement and Homelessness ........................................................... 53 2.6 Community Music .............................................................................................. 57 2.7 Conclusion ......................................................................................................... 60 CHAPTER 3 WHAT IS IT ABOUT HOMELESSNESS? ....................................... 62 3.1 Homelessness in the UK and Rio ..................................................................... 62 3.2 How is Homelessness Defined? ....................................................................... 67 3.3 What is Homelessness? .................................................................................... 71 3.4 Experiences of Homelessness .......................................................................... 74 3.5 Research Questions .......................................................................................... 85 CHAPTER 4 METHODOLOGY AND METHODS ................................................ 88 Methodology .............................................................................................................. 88 4.1 Researching with Participants with Experience of Homelessness ................ 88 4.2 Qualitative Approach ......................................................................................... 89 4.3 Epistemological and Ontological Positioning.................................................. 90 4.4 Phenomenology ................................................................................................. 92 Methods ...................................................................................................................... 93 4.5 Research Design ................................................................................................ 93 4.6 Researcher Position and Reflexivity .............................................................. 101 4.7 Ethical Considerations .................................................................................... 104 4.8 Data Collection ................................................................................................. 106 4.9 Analysis ............................................................................................................ 108 4.10 Reliability and Reflections ............................................................................. 111 5 CHAPTER 5 LEAVE THAT SHIT AT THE DOOR ........................................... 114 5.1 Real and Symbolic Walls ................................................................................ 114 5.2 Rules and Boundaries ..................................................................................... 116 5.3 The Sanctuary .................................................................................................. 121 5.4 Challenging the Sanctuary ............................................................................. 125 5.5 A Place of Other .............................................................................................. 129 5.6 The In-group .................................................................................................... 132 5.7 Conclusion ...................................................................................................... 134 CHAPTER 6 WE ARE FAMILY ..................................................................... 136 6.1 Group Identity .................................................................................................. 137 6.2 Relationships Between Members ................................................................... 140 6.3 Relationship with the Group Leader .............................................................. 147 6.4 Relationships with People Outside the Group .............................................. 150 6.5 Social Inclusion ............................................................................................... 154 6.6 Belonging ......................................................................................................... 156 6.7 The Family........................................................................................................ 157 6.8 Benefits Beyond the Group ............................................................................ 159 6.9 Conclusion ....................................................................................................... 160 CHAPTER 7 FEELING BETTER THAN WHEN YOU WALKED IN .............. 162 7.1 Emotional and Mental Wellbeing .................................................................... 162 7.2