A Derry healthcare worker and care home resident have written and released a Christmas song they wrote during lockdown.
Conor McDermott, who works at GlenOaks Day Centre in the city, said he was inspired to write when he learned that service user James Moreland was keen to learn.
The two Derry men wrote the song in November last year, in the run-up to Christmas, and had it professionally recorded in the city when they finished writing.
The song is titled ‘Fill Our Hearts with Kindness’ which is about Christmas time and how having family time is more important than presents around the tree.
Mr McDermott said the song was "very personal" to James.
He said: "In November 2021, it was brought to my attention that service user James Moreland wanted to learn how to write a song. As it was November we decided to write a Christmas song.
"I have a huge passion for music and try and incorporate it into the Day Centre on a regular basis.
"The background to the song is about it being Christmas time, how having family time is more important than presents around the tree, being kind to those around you and how he was looking forward to seeing family who live in different countries as he hasn’t seen them in a long time due to the ongoing pandemic.
"We then decided to get the song professionally recorded so we went to Studio 2 in Skeoge and Paddy Nixon, recording engineer, spent the afternoon with us making sure the song sounded perfect.
"Paddy did a stellar job, was very patient and we couldn’t recommend him enough."
Conor added: "We also wrote the lyrics out, printed them and framed it along with the song burned to a CD and gave the final product to James’s family so they could hear it on Christmas day.
"James has surprised everyone with his songwriting skills! It was really enjoyable working with James on this project as it was a first for GlenOaks and who knows, James could be the next Ed Sheeran in the future!"
John McConnellogue, Manager at GlenOaks Day Care Centre said: “We feel that James, with Conor and Paddy’s guidance, has achieved a momentous amount of fulfilment, merely by realising his own ambition and objective. It is a privilege for me as the manager of GlenOaks Day Care Centre to witness the sincere commitment required by all to make this happen."
John added: “It is a remarkable achievement which highlights the possibilities that can be realised by individuals who experience compromised ability, whether physical, neurological or otherwise.
"With the provision of appropriate care, support, encouragement and empowerment, such achievements are not beyond them, anything is possible.
“This achievement will no doubt inspire other individuals to gain confidence in realising their own aspirations and ambitions. Well done James we are extremely proud of you."
