MUSIC is a huge part of many people’s lives.

If we are happy, it makes us want to sing out loud and even start dancing - but it can also make us shed a tear.

Music is clearly a tool for expressing our emotions, and it is also a way of bringing people from all walks of life together.

Harwich Sing is doing exactly this - working with children and adults of all ages, bonding the community together.

The choir has introduced a new singing group, called the Golden Oldies, which aims to take singers on a nostalgic trip down memory lane.

As music was once a large part of my life and I joined different choirs as a teenager, I decided to take part in one of the sessions and meet the singers.

I met the group in Dovercourt, but the experience turned out to be nothing like I anticipated.

A good song truly has a way of reviving people’s spirits and this is what I witnessed during my time with the Golden Oldies group.

The original idea behind the group was to bring the older generation together, help combat loneliness and social isolation and increase people’s sense of belonging to a community.

Clare Leach, the founder of Harwich Sing, said the group is not solely targeting old people, but adults of all ages, who love singing and enjoy the good, old but gold songs.

The 42-year-old, of Lodge Road, Little Oakley, said: “The session is for singing old favourites, just for the fun of it.

“Singing makes you feel good, it’s good for mental health and general happiness.

“It’s an opportunity to socialise, make friends and have a giggle.”

For me it was a heart-warming experience - I honestly couldn’t stop smiling.

It was fun, we had a good sing-along and had an amazing time.

What really stood out from the whole experience was the power and magic of music and what it can bring to a group.

When I arrived people were walking in, some really slowly and confused.

But as soon as we started singing, tapping with our toes and humming to hits from Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra and Robert Goulet something special happened.

The group knew all the songs and were singing with all their hearts, which was really impressive.

But a lady, who could barely walk through the doors, was up and dancing just as a 20-year-old when the music started.

The whole room was cheering for her.

It was the most touching thing I’ve seen in a long time. Music does heal us and makes us forget all our problems.

Janet Graham, 60, of Main Road, Dovercourt, is a new member.

She said: “It’s my third time and I’ll definitely come back as I really enjoyed it.”

Donald Mallows, 86, comes along regularly with his wife and granddaughter and said he really enjoys participating.

He said: “I hope it never stops.

“The words just come back to me and I love the songs.”

Louise Zimmerman, 36, says all members of her family are part of Harwich Sing, from her toddler to her grandparents.

She said: “It’s a big part of our lives.

“We all come together for a couple of hours and have a good time.”

Tea, coffee and biscuits are served before and after the session, providing the perfect opportunity to meet and mingle with others.

The Golden Oldies meet on Wednesdays from 11.30am to 12.30pm at the Dovercourt and Harwich Hub, in Main road, Dovercourt.

Tickets are £4 per person.