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The Blackbird Project

Leave a lasting vocal memory for those you love.

Illustration of a blackbird in flight

What is the Blackbird project?

The Blackbird Project captures your distinct voice – providing your loved ones with a digital memory for years to come. You'll record a vocal memory to pass on to family and friends, so that they can hear your voice at any time of the day or night. One of our specially trained volunteers can also help guide you through the process and discuss what memories you'd like to record. Which are then downloaded onto a bespoke, blackbird-shaped USB stick.

The recording will be given to the person you nominate. With your written permission, we will also keep the recording securely for one year.

The blackbird USB stick

What memory should I record?

You can record anything you'd like! This might be sharing reflections of your past, thoughts on favourite music or movies, playing an instrument, singing, or passing on precious memories.

Blackbird works best when you have spent some time thinking about what you want to say and record. One of our trained team can help with this, but you may want to discuss it with your family and friends. For example, they may love to hear you sing or want to know about a particular time in your life.

How do I get involved?

The Blackbird Project is free of charge and available to St Barnabas House patients.

If you would like to find out more, please contact the Living Well team on: 01903 706360

Why Blackbird?

When Sheena and Nick Jackaman’s son, Ben died in 2017, aged 34, they realised that while they had many photos of him, they had no recent recordings of him speaking or singing. Ben used to play ‘Blackbird’ by The Beatles on his guitar and he performed it for them the Christmas before he was diagnosed with cancer.

Ben’s family and friends had raised money in his memory for a legacy project and wanted to help others who were facing similar challenges in their bereavement.

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