Lammas Ladies Choir: Spreading Joy Through Song

In the run-up to their Spring concert, the staff and residents at Sanctuary Care’s care home in Coventry, are delighted to celebrate their much-loved choir, the Lammas Ladies.

Formed in 2022 by activities coordinator Toni Carrigan, the choir has become an integral part of life at Lammas House Residential Care Home, bringing residents together through the power of music.

Toni was inspired to start the choir to support a very shy resident, who was an opera singer in her younger days, to connect with her fellow residents.

With gentle encouragement, she agreed to sing, and when several other residents joined in, the Lammas Ladies Choir was born. Since then, the choir has flourished, giving residents such a sense of belonging and achievement.

Toni explains: “It’s so wonderful to hear them sing, we practice every week, come rain or shine. We perform concerts for loved ones, with the residents always choosing which songs we sing.

“Singing is so good for you. Our choir is a very special part of Lammas House, and it’s amazing to see the joy it brings to everyone involved.”

At the moment it is only the ladies of Lammas who are enthusiastic about the choir, but they are always open to the men joining in, although for now, they are happy to be a very willing audience.

Jayne Walker, a proud member of the choir who has been living at Lammas House for over a year, shares her experience:
“I really enjoy singing – it’s my thing! I’m just happy when I’m singing because it feels so natural.”

The choir not only provides an opportunity for residents to express themselves musically, it serves as a powerful tool for reminiscence. Many members don’t even need song sheets, because they have grown up with this music.