Sarah Agnew from the Children & Youth Ministry Support Team shares about a visit to the children’s Choir Club at St Alban’s, North Harrow.
One of the joys of my role is visiting various groups and activities run by churches across the Diocese. It’s always encouraging to see how churches engage with their communities in meaningful ways.
Recently, I had the pleasure of visiting the afterschool Choir Club at St Alban’s Church, North Harrow. The church has established links with both a local primary and secondary school and runs the choir club every Monday afternoon for children in school years 3-8 and for children that already attend the church.
The vision behind the choir is simple: everyone is welcome, and singing is good for physical and mental wellbeing – it boosts concentration, builds confidence, and most importantly – it’s fun!
From the moment I stepped into the space, I could feel a sense of welcome and community. That day, the children were rehearsing for their summer concert. The session began with snacks and time for games – giving the children a chance to unwind, socialise, and be heard after a school day. It was a joy for me to join in and have conversations with the children whilst hearing about what they’d been up to.
As someone who enjoys singing, I was delighted to take part! The choir director, Wyn, led us through some vocal warm-ups, and despite the long school day, the children responded with enthusiasm and laughter.
The main piece they were rehearsing was Captain Noah and His Floating Zoo. I hadn’t heard it before, but I was impressed by the harmonies and the range of the music. Halfway through the session, we paused for a break, and I asked the children what they enjoyed singing the most. The unanimous response? High School Musical! Naturally, this led to a spontaneous sing-along, which was brilliant fun.
Many of the children said how much they enjoyed coming; ‘Singing helps me with my confidence,’ said one child, which was echoed by many of the other children who mentioned that they could see how the choir was helping them grow as a person. Although they were there to sing, some children said that their highlight was the drinks, snacks and games before the singing. This seemed to show how, for some children, being part of a welcoming community was most valuable, rather than any specific activity.
As the session came to an end, the choir ran through their piece a few more times, and I was struck by the dedication of the volunteers and the relationships built with the children. It was clear that this is much more than a music session—it’s a place of belonging.
Key Takeaways from the Visit
- A welcoming, community-focused space: from the beginning, the atmosphere was one of warmth, joy, and inclusion. The session was thoughtfully structured and full of energy.
- Simplicity through relationship: Starting with snacks and games helped build trust and connection. It’s a simple approach that makes a difference. Food is important for an afterschool club as it brings everyone together – go for healthier snacks but occasionally do a special treat like a doughnut – it’s always a popular choice.
- A holistic positive impact: Choir Club isn’t just about music – it contributes to children’s mental wellbeing, confidence, and emotional expression. Any afterschool club can have a positive impact on mental health.
This is just one example of how afterschool clubs, rooted in their communities, can make a difference. Whether through music, sport, creativity or conversation, these clubs offer opportunities for churches to share God’s love in action.
