News and Blog

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Swan Song bench unveiled in Meanwood Park

Leeds musician recording memories for bereaved families is recognised by National Lottery We are absolutley thrilled to announce the arrival of a bespoke bench in honour of Swan Song founder Ben Buddy Slack. The bench is 1 of 13 across the country dedicated to people...

‘I help people who are dying write songs for their loved ones. It’s a privilege – and changed the way I think” Swan Song in The I Paper

"My grandma always loved music and we’d sing and play music at her house. Towards the end of her life she was in a care home. My uncle and I went to visit her one day when she was pretty unresponsive, until we started playing “Black Velvet Band” (a traditional folk...

Incredible new project helps terminally ill record own songs in final days

Just weeks before the end of his life Ron Reed stood up in front of residents at the Marie Curie hospice to sing (pictured below). His young children were with him, joining in with the chorus...

“Songwriting Is A Superpower” Swan Song in The Red Bulletin

"Meet the Leeds-based musician and would-be detective who’s helping the terminally ill create a legacy through song. “I was nothing, now I’m me,” Vic Simborowski sings quietly, his face wrought with emotion. Opposite him, a heavily bearded man with tattooed forearms...

Dear Eddie Newell – A blog by Charlotte Newell

I was recommended to the Swan Song Project through my bereavement councillor at the start of December. Straight away I was incredibly interested to find out more so on the same day I sent an email and was lucky enough to have my first session with Ben the next day. My...

Author donates book proceeds to The Swan Song Project

We are delighted to have gained the support of Sarah Jones of Full Circle Funerals, author of the Amazon bestselling funeral self-help book Funerals Your Way. Sarah will be donating the proceeds of the book to The Swan Song Project throughout 2021 after being...

Vic’s song in the key of life helps family grieve

Vic Simborowski didn’t get to meet his new grandson who was born just three weeks before Vic died at the age of 70. But thanks to The Swan Song Project – a National Lottery-funded organisation that helps people nearing the end of their life write and record a song –...

Help Swan Song win £5,000!

Help us to win £5,000! We need your votes by midday on 21st December The Swan Song Project has the chance to win £5,000 in the Marsh Commercial For The People Awards. Wow! As a small charity, that makes a big impact, we need your help to secure as many votes as...

The Warmth That Surrounds – Our Mum’s Song by Duncan and Heather Williamson

When Mum found out she had secondary breast cancer in 2015 the news devastated us all. It felt particularly cruel coming shortly after she received the all clear from her first battle with cancer years earlier. Mum lived with her terminal diagnosis for the best part...

National Lottery & Jay Blades honours Swan Song with a Community Bench

The National Lottery is launching 12 Community Benches across the UK to honour individuals that have gone above and beyond for their community. We are so thrilled that one of these is dedicated to our very own Ben Buddy Slack for his work with The Swan Song Project....