The Staff Choir Project was launched by the HR Division of the HSE in May, with the support of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation and Beaumont Hospital. This project got underway with a request to members of staff choirs in the health service to get involved in recording a Christmas 2016 song to raise funds for charity.
Almost 200 staff from across the Health Service participated in Health Voices Choir including 17 staff members from Portiuncula University Hospital Work Place Choir.
The Health Voices Choir had small beginnings with just 50 staff at the first practice on October 1; this was followed by two further practices, culminating on November 6 in almost 200 staff coming together to record two songs for Christmas, ‘Carol of the Bells’ and ‘He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother’.
The recordings are available on iTunes and all proceeds from sales of the songs will go to Pieta House, the organisation which provides a free, therapeutic approach to people who are in suicidal distress and those who engage in self-harm.
Máire Kelly, clinical support services director at Portiuncula University Hospital (PUH ), said: “We in PUH are very proud to have been part of this wonderful experience and we are hoping that staff, family, and friends support this wonderful initiative. With everyone’s help we would love this recording to be a number one for Christmas.”
The recording is available to purchase on iTunes - search for Health Voices Choir.
