It’s that time of year again when children, young people, foster parents and staff from across our community come together to sing their hearts out in The Big Sing Off. Many details of The Big Sing Off are kept tightly under wraps to make the experience more magical for attendees.
However, we interviewed the event organisers, Sebu and Lisa, to learn more about the event’s history, purpose and the impact it has on children and young people in care. So, here is everything you need to know about our annual show-stopping event.
What is The Big Sing Off?
Sebu says, “The Big Sing Off is a cross between The X Factor and the BBC’s The Last Choir Standing. It’s about bringing families, children and staff together for a fantastic day of singing and fun. Each registration forms a choir and then attends the sing off to perform their chosen song in front of an audience (who are also the judges). The winning choir gets to perform their song again and the top three choirs go home with a lovey trophy. Everybody in each region comes together to practice over a period of months, building relationships and a sense of community.’
Lisa continues, “It’s important that everyone from across FCA and FCA Scotland continue to feel connected. So, this is another way of bringing registrations together. People from Northern Ireland fly in, we’ve got people travelling from Scotland and people crossing on ferries from the Isle of Wight. That’s how much they want to come. That’s how much it means to them.”
How has The Big Sing Off evolved?
Sebu explains, “The Big Sing off began as quite a formal event, but over the years, it has evolved to become fully child-centred. After the success of the Belfast Big Sing Off in 2017, we decided it would be wonderful if every region could have an opportunity to host the event.”
“We wanted children to be at the forefront of every decision about The Big Sing Off. So, we decided each region could put together a bid to host the event, with the children and young people from that region taking the lead by coming up with a theme and being part of the bid video.’
“The children have input in every decision we make, whether it be food, activities, entertainment or the logo. We believe it’s important for children and young people to have opportunities to see their ideas come to life.”
Lisa continues, “The Big Sing Off has moved from a very formal adult-driven event to the children and young people being absolutely at the centre. And it’s our job to honour their ideas and translate them into reality on the day.”
How does The Big Sing Off impact children and young people?
Sebu says, “The Big Sing Off is an opportunity for children to experience travelling on an aeroplane, going on a coach, being part of a whole community event. It also allows them to meet and connect with other children in foster care and realise they aren’t alone – there are other children with situations in common.’
Lisa says, “The children and young people are made to feel special. You hear positive stories, like a young person inspired to join a club and another learning to play the guitar. That is what the day is all about – sparking an interest in children to follow their hopes and dreams”.
What does The Big Sing Off mean to the hosting regions?
Sebu explains, “The hosting regions are always excited to welcome everyone, because they have a real sense of pride in their community and their local area. They are so happy when people visit their region that they go above and beyond to be welcoming.’
Lisa continues, “We even go as far as ensuring that we use local suppliers to source things like entertainment, so it’s truly authentic and highlights the specialities of the local community. It also means the money we spend goes back into that region.”
What does The Big Sing Off mean to staff?
Lisa says, “This year we have 37 people from central services volunteering and giving up part of their weekend to attend. Colleagues who work at central services are often removed from the children, and don’t often get to speak to foster parents directly. But, the Big Sing Off allows staff to see first-hand what a collective difference we make.
We can still contribute to the outcomes for those children and young people. Staff then go back and tell their teams how wonderful it is and become ambassadors for The Big Sing Off. So, we have this ever-growing number of people who want to come.”
What does the Big Sing off mean to you?
Sebu says, ‘When you go to the Big Sing Off or any event where our children and families are, it’s a reminder of why we do what we do. Although we aren’t frontline staff, we’re all here for the children. The Big Sing Off is more than just a fun day – it’s about looking around and seeing happy children and young people.’
Lisa says, “Making magic happen for the kids and seeing those beautiful moments when they have the confidence to perform on stage. That is what makes the months of planning and hard work worthwhile. We want to enable and empower children and young people to think, ‘I can do anything’.’
