Remembering our friend, Maria Gilroy, with a special version of Fight Song.
In January, our wonderful friend and choir member Maria Gilroy passed away after a hard-fought battle with breast cancer. Maria was a leader - an incredible nurse, dedicated colleague, and a resolute NHS campaigner. She was a fierce, funny and inspirational woman who believed deeply in Our NHS and in fighting to save it, always ready to raise her voice in support of others and what she believed in. This special version of Fight Song has been recorded in her memory by current and former choir members, who also contributed the photos and clips used in the video. The song is being released on the 5th July, which is the NHS' 73rd birthday, and will round off a weekend of protests we know Maria would have been on the front line of.
Please share the video, and if you are able you can also donate to our Cancer Research UK page in Maria's memory.
What is coming up for NHSC? Get Centene Protest Today is the NHS' birthday, and NHSC are joining other NHS colleagues this evening to protest the sell-off of GP practices to American Health Insurance giant, Centene. We are meeting at the Department of Health at 6pm to sing at 6.30pm - please join us if you are able, either to sing or support the protest! Choir Social We are holding a socially distanced picnic in Greenwich Park on Sunday 18th July. Please get in touch for details if you would like to join us! Collaborations NHSC are currently working on a number of exciting collaborative projects with the #NHSPay15 campaign, a singer/songwriter (also an NHS Doctor), development of a musical about the NHS, and ongoing projects with our choir director and sister choir SCC. We will keep you posted on developments!
Planned Return to In-person Rehearsals Restrictions permitting, we are currently planning to resume in-person rehearsals from September, and at a new venue. Due to covid, we decided to look for a non-hospital venue for the rest of the year, and beyond if it works well. Rehearsals are planned for the below dates at St Wilfrid’s Church Hall, 97 Lorrimore Road, London, SE17 3LZ. 15:45-19:00 on Sunday 5th September 15:45-19:00 on Sunday 3rd October 15:45-19:00 on Sunday 14th November We will then have our usual month off in December, hopefully with some Christmas Carolling events to be planned nearer the time. The venue is for 100 people, so plenty of room for distancing, and is an accessible venue with its own kitchen. The nearest tube stations are Kennington (Northern Line, 8min walk), Oval (Northern Line, 15min walk), and Vaxhall Station (Overground, 23min walk). There is also free parking outside the venue on Sundays and it is not in the Congestion Zone. The first month is free for new members as a "taster session", so please get in touch if you would like to join us for one of our in-person rehearsals. This is also open to anyone who already did an online taster session.
If you are considering joining a choir, then NHSC just might be the right fit for you! We are a political choir that is open to all - NHS staff, patients and supporters - with a focus on protecting and supporting our NHS and promoting wellbeing through singing. At present, all rehearsals are held online, however we plan to resume face to face rehearsals from September 2021. The online option will also still be available for anyone who is unable to attend in person. If you'd like to sign up for a free taster month, just get in touch through our website or via email to info@nhsupporterschoir.co.uk.