Darwin Court’s ‘sing-a-song’ Challenge
The newspaper begins; “Residents and staff at a Lichfield care home were in fine voice for a special ‘sing-a-song’ challenge.”
The challenge was part of the National Activity Provider Association’s (NAPA) event, which invited every care setting in the UK to sing the same song at the same time – at 3pm on March 24th.
On the day of the big event, Darwin Court Care Home welcomed the local community into their home to join in with their ‘sing-a-song’ challenge. Staff and residents joined in singing The Carpenters’ Sing by Louise Huisman, who runs Darwin Court’s monthly music and movement workshop and her husband Dr Gerbo Huisman, chairman of Lichfield Gospel Choir.
Residents, family and friends of Darwin Court were also joined by Cathy Lamb, joint director of music at Lichfield Cathedral, and the choir Ladies Who Lark, students from South Staffordshire College and their teacher Karen Benedikz, Chasetown Sea Shanty Singers, pupils and staff from Rocklands School, Lichfield, pupils and staff from The Bridge Centre, Lichfield, and Tesco Lichfield’s community champions Rachael and Gemma. Plus nurse Rachel Knight played the trumpet.
Jane Lane, Recreation and Leisure Coordinator at Darwin Court, commented: “We had a fantastic time. The Afternoon kicked off with a performance from pupils from Rocklands who sang and signed. Then Cathy made sure everyone’s voices were ready with a fun warm up session. On the countdown to 3pm, we all gathered to sing the Carpenters song Sing accompanied by Rachel on trumpet and conducted by Cathy.”
“This was followed by a buffet and songs from Chasetown Sea Shanty Singers. The challenge continues – we have made some lovely friends and can’t wait to work with them again in the coming months in the ‘Carry On Singing’ challenge.”
Thank you once again to everyone who came along; it was a truly fantastic afternoon. We’ve been so inspired, we are going to start our own Darwin Court Community Choir!
Plus, following on from this success, we are going to be working with Rocklands School staff and pupils to teach us how to ‘sign’ a song in sign language. We also have plans in place to work with St Chads school choir. And lastly, be prepared for a concert in July, which will feature all of the above, plus residents, staff and relatives of Darwin Court!
That’s a lot of singing! To keep up to date with all our adventures (singing included) at Darwin Court, be sure to ‘Like’ our Facebook page.
