5 Reasons to Participate in the Big Sing Off

You may have already heard of The Big Sing Off, but if you haven’t, it’s our annual choir competition, similar to the X Factor and Last Choir Standing. Children, young people, foster parents, and staff come together for an unforgettable day of friendly competition, entertainment and fun.  

Our choirs start rehearsing months before the event in preparation for their performances. So, if you’re wondering whether you’d like to be involved next year, it’s time to start thinking about it now! Here are five reasons to join your region’s choir and participate in The Big Sing Off 2025.  

Big Sing Off

Why participate in The Big Sing Off? 

Meet new people 

The Big Sing Off is a fantastic opportunity to meet new people who share similar experiences to you. If you join a choir, you’ll meet regularly to practice your chosen song. On the day of the event, children and young people in foster care from all over the UK will travel to the Big Sing Off location, giving you plenty of chances to make new friends.  

Build your confidence 

Being part of a choir at The Big Sing Off means performing in front of an audience. While this may seem daunting, it could actually help you overcome stage fright and build your confidence. This experience will not only benefit you during school presentations but will also prepare you to ace job interviews in the future. 

Additionally, if you plan to pursue a career in the entertainment industry, performing in front of an audience will provide valuable practice and insight into what it may be like. 

Visit new places 

The Big Sing Off takes place in a new location every year, giving you opportunities to travel to new places and experience the specialities of the local community. This year, FCA Cymru won the bid to host the event in Wales. Hosts were dressed in traditional Welsh clothing and provided entertainment and activities based on their theme ‘The Greatest Showman’ and ‘Legends’. From circus-themed activities and workshops to candyfloss machines and magic mirror photo booths, each host region ensures you have a memorable experience. 

Have your say 

The Big Sing Off is all about you, so there are plenty of opportunities for you to have your say and showcase your creative ideas. This includes: 

  • Bid video – Children and young people from each region decide on their chosen theme before creating a video bid to host the event.  
  • Logo competition – every year, we run a logo competition for The Big Sing Off to reflect the year’s theme. The winning logo is then featured in the programme, leaflets, flags and more.  
  • Activities – The activities, entertainment, and food for the event are chosen by our children and young people. If you have an idea, we will listen and do our best to make it happen. 

Enjoy yourself 

Ultimately, The Big Sing Off is about having fun! Organisers Lisa and Sebu spend months bringing your ideas to life and ensuring everyone has an incredible day. The event is always full of surprises; this year, Britain’s Got Talent stars Afrikan Warriors wowed the audience with their acrobatics, and Welsh celebrities recorded good luck messages. At the end of the event, you’ll have a sense of accomplishment for performing in front of hundreds of people and memories for life.  

So, if you’d like to join your region’s choir, talk to your participation officer and start warming up those vocal cords. 

Our Brightest Stars Shine at the Show-Stopping Big Sing Off 2024

Shining in the Spotlight

Each year we eagerly await The Big Sing Off, and this year’s show was even more magical than ever before! This year the event was hosted by FCA Cymru, who proudly welcomed 7 other choirs from across the UK to compete with them at the ICC centre for the coveted title of the winning choir. The event was a bold celebration of Welsh culture, with flags waving proudly and an introduction in Cymraeg from the main stage.

Our competition was hosted this year by two young people from FCA Cymru, helped along by our trio of charming Ringmasters, who did a fantastic job of introducing the acts and hyping up the crowd as they eagerly awaited our star performers.

The children of the Cymru choir chose brilliant themes for this year— ‘The Greatest Showman’ and ‘Legends.’

Little Legends

As our youngsters took to the stage to sing hits from legends including The Beatles, Katy Perry and Aretha Franklin, they were met with cheers and applause from a packed auditorium of supporters all waving flags. Their dazzling performances had the crowds singing along, laughing, and gasping in awe. Celebrities including popstars, Chesney Hawkes, H from Steps and fostering advocate Joe Swash sent their well-wishes to the children via video.

After performing, the children were treated to a whole host of activities, which included face painting, jewellery making, a magic act and the chance to learn some circus skills. Children also had the chance to meet some of their favourite characters, including Bluey and Peppa Pig. After all the singing and excitement, our choirs and their families enjoyed a well-deserved lunch, which included an enormous chocolate fountain, popcorn and freshly-spun candyfloss!

Helping out while having fun

After lunch, the audience were wowed as Britain’s Got Talent stars Afrikan Warriors took to the stage to amaze us all with a heart-racing acrobatics performance. Then it was time to win some fantastic prizes at the raffle, the proceeds of which raised over £500 for Comfort Cases UK, a charity which provides children in foster care with all the essentials they’ll need when moving to a new home, as well as comforting items they can treasure, such as teddy bears.

The CEO of Comfort Cases UK proudly took to the stage to thank everyone for their efforts in raising money for children, as well as to congratulate the choirs on their incredible performances.

The Big Sing Off

Bright smiles and magical memories

“Nothing beats seeing the smiles on the children’s faces,” said Laura, a new staff member who enjoyed her first outing to The Big Sing Off. “Lots of us work at a desk all day, so having the opportunity to come here and see the kids enjoying themselves with their foster families really brings our work to life. It makes you so proud to see the children happy and to see everything our foster families are achieving.”

And the winner is…

Our winning choir this year was FCA Northern Ireland, whose stand-out choir ‘Emerald Melodies’ flew all the way to Wales to wow the audience with their stunning performance of the Imagine Dragons song, ‘Believer,’ an inspiring tune about overcoming hardship and celebrating our resilience.

Their outstanding chorography left everyone blown away, including the judges, who crowned them the winners and invited them back onto the stage to treat us to another performance and to lead the audience in a sing-song. Their day of wowing the crowds didn’t stop there—on their triumphant flight back home to Northern Ireland, the passengers and crew of their plane even asked for a performance of their winning song!

As children left the auditorium, they were all given a medal to thank them for putting on the most amazing show, and cupcakes and balloons were handed out to take home. All in all, it was an incredible day, and everyone left with a huge smile on their face!

A great family day out

The Big Sing Off is just one of the many ways in which we bring everybody together to celebrate every single person who makes the FCA family so special. A huge congratulations to our winning choir, and to everyone who took part and made The Big Sing Off 2024 a day to remember. We hope to see you all next year for another outstanding show!

Interested in learning more about The Big Sing Off? Hear from our event organisers about what makes the event so special to children and their families.

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The Big Sing Off 2024 takes centre stage in Wales

The Big Sing Off 2024 comes to Wales

Choirs from across FCA rolled up to The Big Sing Off 2024 at the ICC Wales in Newport, Cymru on Saturday 28th September for a circus style extravaganza!
Ringmasters Managing Director John Platt, Operations Director Neil Morris and Mark Cartridge opened the show with a ‘Greatest Showman’ dance and then it was over to our choirs, made up of children and young people, foster parents and staff who wowed us with incredible vocals and choreography.

Each choir selected a song which they felt reflected the chosen theme of ‘Legends’ and performed to a crowd of 400 people.

Our children and young people, as always, were at the heart of the event with a number of them from our hosting region FCA Cymru co-presenting the event as well as performing in our second half.

We even had some special good luck messages from some Welsh celebrities! There was a range of Circus style activities and entertainment throughout the day including circus skills workshops, face painting, fairground games, popcorn and candy floss, carnival mask making, bubble workshops, magic mirror photo booths, meeting characters and so much more, all of which the children from Cymru had requested on their wish list for the event.

We were also wowed in the second half with a performance from world famous Afrikan Warriors who had us all on the edge of our seats with their amazing acrobatics!

A huge congratulations to FCA Northern Ireland’s ‘Emerald Melodies’ who were crowned the overall winners this year with FCA Yorks & Lincs ‘Y&L Stars’ taking second place and FCA Midlands ‘Kidz in the Midz’ taking third prize.

FCA Northern Ireland’s day of wowing the crowds didn’t stop there on their triumphant flight back home to Northern Ireland, the passengers and crew of their plane even asked for a performance of their winning song!

All of the choir performances were absolutely incredible. The effort and enthusiasm from everybody involved- children, young people, foster parents and staff was truly tremendous. All the choirs involved would have been very worthy winners.

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The Big Sing Off 2024

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.

Big Sing Off

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’.’

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The Big Sing Off 2023 travels ‘Around the World’ and raises money for charity

Choirs composed of children, foster parents and staff from around the country came together to take part in a singing competition, as well as raising money for charity.

Hosted by FCA Midlands, the Big Sing Off took place on October 7th at the Coventry Building Society Arena, bringing together the community to celebrate culture and diversity through music and fun-filled activities.

The event’s theme, ‘Around The World’, was chosen by children and young people in foster care in the region, and the logo for the competition was co-created by the winners of a children’s art contest, capturing the spirit of the vibrant event.

FCA Midlands’s Registered Manager and choir member, Kate Taylor, said: ‘We were thrilled to be the hosts of the Big Sing Off this year. Seeing our children and young people performing in their choirs is always a highlight. It was a wonderful day where everyone came together to celebrate culture and diversity through song and enjoy all the great entertainment and activities on offer.’

Not only was the event partially organised by local youngsters, four young individuals had the honour of co-hosting the event alongside Managing Director John Platt and FCA Operations Directors, Mark Cartridge and Neil Morris.

John Platt, FCA Managing Director, said: ‘Seeing everyone enjoying themselves and being part of a family team makes this one of my favourite days of the whole year. It’s spectacular!”

As well as celebrating the fostering community, the event helped the Midlands Youth Council to raise more than £350 for a bleed kit – a specialist trauma kit to help bystanders of an injury stop life-threatening bleeding – in memory of a young person who had tragically lost their life to knife crime. The kit, bought via the Daniel Baird Foundation, will be placed in a prominent place in the Coventry city centre and could be vital to saving lives.

Throughout the day attendees enjoyed a diverse range of activities, including face painting, magicians and balloon artists, henna artists, and a 360-degree photo booth. The event also featured a guest performance by Devon-based UK Taiko Drummers, whose energy and rhythmic beats captivated the audience.

A talented 12-year-old young person also from the Midlands delivered a moving performance of Rihanna’s hit song, ‘Diamonds’.

Ten choirs competed in the competition, all selecting songs that embodied the theme and performing to an enthusiastic crowd of over 400 people, consisting of children, young people, and foster parents. The musical repertoire included songs from ‘The Greatest Showman,’ ‘Status Quo,’ and ‘Glee’.

In the end, it was FCA South East’s ‘South East Diversity’ that was crowned the overall winner of this year’s ‘Big Sing Off,’ with FCA Northern Ireland’s ‘Emerald Melodies’ taking second place and FCA Cymru’s ‘Cymru yn rockio am byth’ taking third place.

FCA South East Registered Manager and choir member Caroline Ellis from South East Diversity said: ‘We all had such a fab time and everyone who performed on the day was incredible. I am so proud we brought home a trophy! The children were on such a high the whole way home. Such special memories made.’

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The Big Sing Off: A Celebration of Voices and Togetherness

Every year, Foster Care Associates, along with a couple of other independent fostering agencies, eagerly anticipates one special day that takes centre stage in our calendar – The Big Sing Off. It’s more than just an event; it’s a celebration of voices, unity, and unforgettable memories.

This event is more than just music; it’s about fostering a sense of belonging. It’s about creating memories that will be cherished for a lifetime. It’s about the joy of singing together, learning together, and growing together.

Big Sing Off

What is The Big Sing Off?

Imagine a day filled with heartwarming melodies, harmonious voices, and sheer enthusiasm, where choirs are not just groups of singers but representations of our children, young people, foster carers, and staff. The Big Sing Off is all about creating unforgettable moments through the magic of music and song. It’s like a fusion of the X Factor’s excitement and the camaraderie of BBC’s Last Choir Standing.

What makes this event even more special is that it’s a dynamic celebration that evolves each year. Different teams from across the country come together, each adding their unique twist and theme to the event. It’s a dynamic tapestry of creativity and talent that continues to astonish us year after year.

The heart of The Big Sing Off lies in its annual singing competition. It’s the stage where our children and young people step into the spotlight, showcasing their incredible talents. For them, it’s not just a performance; it’s a chance to embrace new experiences and connect with foster children from all corners of the UK. The applause, the cheers, and the sense of accomplishment – it’s all a part of this remarkable journey.

So, as we gear up for another year of The Big Sing Off, we’re filled with excitement and anticipation. We can’t wait to see what our talented teams will bring to the stage. The Big Sing Off isn’t just a competition; it’s a celebration of the beauty of fostering – of bringing voices together and creating a symphony of love and unity. Stay tuned for more updates and insights into this year’s event.

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The Big Sing Off 2022

We are so excited the Big Sing Off is back after a two year break.

Foster parents, staff, children and young people children from across FCA couldn’t wait to all get together in Peterborough for fun filled day of singing on Saturday 8th October.  The Big Sing Off is the biggest and most prestigious event in our FCA events calendar.  It is an unforgettable experience as we bring together choirs made up of our children, young people, foster parents and staff for a day of entertainment through music and song (think X Factor meets BBC Last Choir Standing!).

This year the theme for the Big Sing Off was  ‘Love and Peace’.

Big Sing off Logo

A total of 10 choirs from across FCA and Fostering People took part in the competition, singing songs from The Beatles, Carpenters and Foo Fighters. Each choir selected a song which they felt reflected the chosen theme and performed to a crowd of over 300 people.

Our children really are at the heart of the event with a range of activities over lunchtime including a photo booth, a love and peace message wall, face painting, magician, chocolate fountain. Joint hosts FCA Yorks and Lincs and Eastern were involved in the planning and children were tasked to work alongside the staff helping with co-presenting, providing the entertainment post lunch and selling raffle tickets to raise money for our chosen charity. The  Big Sing Off logo was designed by children from the hosting regions.

Congratulations to FCA Yorks and Lincs for taking second place and FCA North West on taking third prize. All of the choir performances were amazing.  The effort from everybody involved was truly tremendous well done.  All the choirs involved would have been worthy winners.
foster child drawning
Big Sing Off 2022
Big Sing off drawning
Bing sign off cupcakes
Bing sign off awards
Bing sign off walkway

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