Mental health charity adds singing group for carers
A SINGING group to help counteract stress is being launched for health and care professionals.
The Hope Carers Choir is aimed at anyone working within the Princess Elizabeth Hospital, Les Bourgs Hospice staff and the Community Services team at the former Castel Hospital site.
The singing group, which will be launched later this month, will be the third choir that Guernsey Mind, the mental heath charity, has added to its current community offering.
‘The original Hope Singers, who meet every Tuesday at the post office site, have proved to us how singing does help you manage stress and increase your mental wellbeing,’ said Jill Chadwick, Guernsey Mind community groups co-ordinator.
There was also now a branch of Hope at Les Nicolles prison which has proved to be successful.
‘The Hope database is now 170-plus strong with 75 people attending each session – it has been a real success story and continues to provide support and friendship for an increasing number of people,’ Ms Chadwick added.
‘We are looking to attract hospital staff who are welcome to dip in and out of rehearsals as their shifts allow. Again, the choir is based on fun, friendship, and singing just for the sheer enjoyment of it.’
The new initiative has been led by hospital chaplain the Rev. Linda Le Vasseur, who said she was excited at being able to provide this new group to staff.
‘In the past we have had a choir that existed in the weeks up to the Christmas concert and each year we were asked if it could continue,’ she said.
‘We are so delighted we have managed to secure Andrew Warren as our musical director, who comes to us with a wealth of experience of working with choirs.
‘We are so grateful to Guernsey Mind and to Andrew for helping us to make this happen.’
Mr Warren said he was looking forward to working with the new choir and saw it as a welcome challenge.
‘There is an existing blueprint but we believe we can create an innovative group of singers and hopefully help counteract what can be a very stressful work environment,’ he said.
. The Hope Carers Choir will be held each Thursday from 5.30 pm on Le Marchant Ward. For further information, email jill.chadwick@guernseymind.org.gg or call her on 722959.
