Last week was the start of our Charity’s Christmas Carol celebrations, which aims to bring festive cheer to our patients, visitors and colleagues at both our hospitals.

We welcomed the Just Sing Choir last Friday to HRI, who sang in the our main entrance before making their way to some of our wards.

Ward 19 Sister, Kate Broadhurst, said: “It was so fantastic to see the patients light up with happiness at the choir. It even brought some of our own staff to tears.

“It was clear the music helped evoke memories for some of our dementia patients and it was just lovely to see that.”

The choir were so popular that they were followed by one patient, James, who couldn’t get enough of the musical magic.

Engagement Support Worker, Rosie Jones, took James from ward to ward so he could continue listening to the music. He even joined in for parts of the songs and helped to conduct.

Rosie said: “James loves music. He’s not been out of bed for six days and I thought with the choir coming today it would be a good opportunity to get him up. I think it has been beneficial for him to watch them and enjoy the songs.

“We tried to get to the main entrance to watch, but we were too late – so we’ve been chasing after the choir until we found them on Ward 19.”

More choirs are due to attend on various dates at CRH over the next two weeks. If you would like them to visit your areas, please contact the Charity on chftfundraising@cht.nhs.uk

• Copley School Choir, today, Monday, 11th December.
• Trinity School Choir and Trinity Academy St Chads Choir on Wednesday, 13th December. 
• Salterhebble School Choir on Wednesday, 20th December. 
• Cross Lane School Choir on Thursday, 21st December.
• All Saints School Choir on Friday, 22nd December.