A festive occasion was hosted this week by the HSE’s Health and Wellbeing Dept. and the St. Canice’s/Lacken Campus Workplace Wellness Committee, featuring Christmas Carols from their colleagues in the Carlow Melodies Choir.
Regional Executive Officer (REO) of the HSE Dublin and South East health region Martina Queally was also in attendance for the occasion held in the recently renovated Board Room in the HSE’s Lacken building. The REO spoke to thank everyone for their efforts throughout the year.
The REO also thanked colleagues across hospital and community healthcare sectors in the South East for affording a welcome to organisational changes that have been taking effect in the HSE. In wishing everyone a happy and safe Christmas and New Year, the REO also urged continued support for the HSE’s winter vaccinations programme.
The HSE’s Carlow Melodies Choir is a community choir, formed in November 2019. All current and retired HSE staff working or living in the South East are welcome to participate in it. There is no audition requirement – all voices are welcomed and valued!
The HSE’s Carlow Melodies Choir meets every Tuesday in St. Dymphna’s Hospital in Carlow.
Under the guidance of choir director, Clara Hutchinson, the Carlow Melodies Choir is one of a number of HSE staff choirs across the country that are supported by HSE Health and Wellbeing. It is on the basis of the researched evidence of the benefits of communal singing to mental, social and physical wellbeing. The choir aims to improve the health of choir members and thereby the service and to strengthen the links with the communities served, through local performance.
The HSE Carlow Melodies Choir has performed in the national HSE Christmas Concerts, in charity fundraisers, in residential care homes, Kilkenny ChoirFest and at the Carlow Arts Festival.
Amid mince pies, the lunchtime Christmas occasion in the Lacken Board Room saw choir director Clara lead out a Carlow Melodies Choir line-up featuring HSE colleagues Moira Germaine, Rob O’ Connor, Bríd Mulhall, Mary O’ Neill Walsh, Nuala Connolly, Beatrice Byrne, Sinéad Whitney, Doreen Thomson, Jackie Bradley, Breda Doyle, Angela Bermingham and Maggie Ryan.
