28/01/2022
Conor McDermott a Care Assistant in GlenOaks Day Centre in Derry/Londonderry has a huge passion for music and loves incorporating his artistic skills into the daily activities at the Day Centre.
Conor explains:
“In November 2021, one our service user’s James Moreland was looking to learn how to write a song so we decided to write a Christmas song. The song is titled ‘Fill Our Hearts with Kindness’ and is very personal to James.
“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 COVID-19 pandemic. (We even managed to mention his dogs within the song!)
“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. 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.
Conor added:
“James has surprised everyone with his incredible songwriting skills. It was really enjoyable working with James on this project as it was a first for GlenOaks Day Centre and it has been a wonderful morale boost for all our service users, families and staff. I look forward to working with James on more songwriting projects 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.
It is a remarkable achievement which highlights the possibilities that can be realised by individuals who experience compromised ability, whether physical, neurogical 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!”
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