HSE Staff Choirs Sing for Wellbeing Concert

The HSE Staff Sing for Wellbeing Concert took place on Sunday 21^st October in the University of Limerick concert Hall 2.00pm – 5.00 pm in aid of University Hospital Limerick Children’s Ark Unit.

Over 600 people attended the performance, to see and hear HSE Workplace Choirs from around the country perform at this exciting event. Ennis Hospital Singers, from Ennis Hospital and  Chimers (Limerick Mental Health Services), took part from the Midwest.

As part of the HSE’s work to promote Healthy Ireland, the Government’s strategy to improve the health and wellbeing of the Irish population, this free concert celebrated the health and wellbeing benefits that staff get from singing in workplace choirs and showcased the talent that exists among HSE staff.

This event was free to attend and a voluntary bucket collection took place on the day with all proceeds going to University Hospital Limerick Children’s Ark Unit.

Speaking about the event, Dr Cate Hartigan, Assistant National Director Health and Wellbeing, Strategic Planning, said, “It was very positive to see staff participating in their local workplace choirs, which can offer a great outlet to support staff health and wellbeing and improve staff engagement.”

Attendees were treated to an afternoon of engaging songs and a mass participation grand finale where all choirs and the audience will sing together the legendary, unifying John Farnham song “You’re the voice”.

The choirs and audience sang to the accompaniment of the Dr. Diarmuid O Herlihy Pipe Band from Cashel.  It was a unique opportunity to see and hear frontline HSE staff in a different context.

Other choirs performing on the day included Galway University Hospital Choral Society, Scrubs (Cork University Hospital), Merlin Miscellany (Merlin Park Galway), HSE Tullamore Staff Choir, Heart and Soul (Mullingar) and Naas Workplace Choir.

The development of workplace choirs within the health sector is a relatively new development which is proving very popular among HSE staff.

Singing in a choir can help alleviate stress in what can be a challenging work environment, create social connection among work colleagues, improve mental wellbeing and offer retired colleagues the chance to stay connected.

This initiative was part of the implementation of Healthy Ireland within our health service, and specifically aims to support staff health and wellbeing.

The voluntary donations raised on the day will go to the Children’s Ark in University Hospital Limerick, which is the only inpatient facility for sick children in the Midwest.

The Children’s Ark is a purpose-built paediatric unit for children with 49 beds in the Sunshine and Rainbow wards, a high-dependency unit, a cystic fibrosis unit and our Caterpillar day ward.  There is also a school for children staying in hospital so that those that are well enough can keep up with their school work.