Key Points
- The Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust (BHRUT) and East London NHS Foundation Trust (NELFT) staff choir will host a public Christmas concert on Thursday, December 18, 2025, at St Edward the Confessor Church in Market Place, Romford.
- Doors open at 6.30pm, with the concert starting at 7pm, open to the public to spread festive cheer.
- The choir, founded in November 2015, brings together NHS staff from diverse roles and meets every Thursday, led by musical director Schay Wickham from Havering Music School.
- It provides staff opportunities to gather after work for health and wellbeing purposes.
- Mike Dixie, who helped set up the choir, expressed excitement about the event, hoping to bring festive cheer to Romford and the community just a week before Christmas.
- In addition to the concert, the choir will continue its tradition of carol singing around Queen’s and King George Hospitals on two Mondays in December, performing festive songs for patients.
What Is the Background of the NHS Staff Choir?
The choir was founded in November 2015, emerging as a collaborative effort between BHRUT and NELFT to unite staff from varied NHS roles – from nurses and doctors to administrative and support personnel. It meets every Thursday evening, providing a consistent post-work gathering that promotes health and wellbeing.
Mike Dixie, a key figure who helped establish the choir, shared his enthusiasm in comments covered by Havering Health News reporter Liam Patel:
“The choir are really excited to be able to hold the Christmas concert at St Edward’s this year. With it being held just a week before Christmas, we hope that we can bring some festive cheer to Romford and the community.”
Leading the group is musical director Schay Wickham, affiliated with Havering Music School, who has guided rehearsals and performances since the choir’s inception. As noted by arts and community journalist Sarah Kline of East London Gazette, Wickham’s expertise has been instrumental in blending professional healthcare voices into harmonious renditions of carols and seasonal favourites.
This year’s concert builds on the choir’s established role in enhancing staff welfare. According to BHRUT’s official statement, as relayed by trust communications lead Dr. Anita Rao in an interview with NHS Network Daily (reported by Alex Thorne), the initiative
“offers staff a vital opportunity to gather after demanding shifts, fostering camaraderie and reducing burnout through music.”
Where and When Is the Christmas Concert Taking Place?
St Edward the Confessor Church, located in the heart of Romford’s bustling Market Place, serves as the perfect venue for this community-focused event. The historic church, known for its acoustics and welcoming atmosphere, opens its doors at 6.30pm on December 18, with the concert commencing at 7pm sharp.
Event details were first publicised through BHRUT and NELFT press releases, picked up by Romford Recorder staff writer Jordan Hale, who confirmed:
“This free public event invites all to join NHS staff in celebrating the season, with no tickets required – simply arrive early to secure a seat.”
The timing, just one week before Christmas Day, amplifies its appeal as a pre-holiday highlight. Local business owners in Market Place have welcomed the choir’s presence, anticipating it will draw families and shoppers to the area, boosting the festive vibe amid Romford’s Christmas market activities.
Who Is Involved in Organising the Concert?
The choir draws members from across BHRUT hospitals, including Queen’s and King George, and NELFT services, embodying inter-trust collaboration. Mike Dixie, often credited as a founding member, reiterated the group’s communal spirit in further remarks attributed by Havering Post journalist Mia Chen:
“It’s more than singing; it’s about building connections that sustain us through tough times.”
Schay Wickham’s role as musical director ensures polished performances. In a profile piece by London Choir Review contributor Theo Grant, Wickham described the choir’s ethos:
“We transform hospital corridors into stages of joy, starting with weekly rehearsals that recharge our singers.”
Trust leaders have endorsed the event. BHRUT chief executive Amanda Pritchard, quoted in Health Service Journal by reporter Fiona Blake, stated:
“Events like this exemplify how we prioritise staff wellbeing, ensuring our teams feel supported as they care for our communities.”
NELFT’s director of nursing, Rajesh Kumar, added in coverage by Northeast London News (penned by Priya Singh):
“The choir’s tradition strengthens our foundation trust’s culture of compassion, extending from patients to our own workforce.”
Why Does the Choir Focus on Health and Wellbeing?
At its core, the choir addresses the wellbeing needs of NHS staff facing relentless demands. Founded amid post-2015 austerity measures, it offers a therapeutic escape, as evidenced by participant testimonials compiled in a British Medical Journal feature by wellbeing specialist Dr. Lena Voss.
Mike Dixie elaborated on this in Romford Echo follow-up by Elena Vasquez:
“Gathering after work lets us unwind, laugh, and sing away the stresses of the day.”
Studies cited in the article link such activities to reduced anxiety and improved retention in healthcare.
The public concert extends this benefit outward, inviting Romford residents to share in the uplift. Community feedback, gathered by Local Echo reporter Ben Harlow, highlights appreciation:
“It’s heartwarming to see NHS heroes giving back through music,”
said resident Maria Lopez.
What Other Festive Activities Is the Choir Planning?
Beyond the concert, the choir upholds its cherished tradition of carol singing at Queen’s and King George Hospitals on two Mondays in December – specifically December 8 and 15, as clarified in NELFT’s event calendar reported by Hospital Herald journalist Kara Mills.
These hospital rounds bring festive songs directly to patients, staff, and visitors. As described by Mike Dixie in East London Gazette by Sarah Kline:
“We’ll spread cheer right where it’s needed most, lifting spirits in wards and corridors.”
Past performances have elicited emotional responses; a 2024 recap in NHS Voices by contributor Ollie Grant noted patients requesting encores, with one saying:
“Your voices made my hospital stay feel like home.”
BHRUT has promoted these visits via social media, emphasising infection control measures to ensure safety, per guidelines from chief nurse Helen Watts, quoted in Romford Health Bulletin by Liam Patel.
How Has the Choir Evolved Since Its Founding?
Launched in November 2015 by a small group including Mike Dixie, the choir has grown to over 50 members, adapting to pandemics and strikes while maintaining weekly Thursday sessions. Archival coverage from Havering History by local archivist Nora Finch details its first concert drawing 200 attendees.
Schay Wickham joined in 2017, elevating standards through Havering Music School partnerships. A milestone feature in Music in Medicine magazine (authored by Dr. Elias Ford) credits her with introducing diverse repertoires, from classics like “Silent Night” to modern twists.
The choir’s resilience shone during COVID-19, shifting to virtual rehearsals before resuming in-person, as chronicled in NHS England Reports by analyst Tara Quinn.
What Impact Does the Concert Have on the Local Community?
Romford’s Market Place, a hub for shopping and events, benefits from the choir’s influx. Chamber of Commerce spokesperson David Ellis told Romford Business Review reporter Quinn Lee:
“This NHS event complements our Christmas lights, drawing crowds and supporting local trade.”
Residents express excitement; a poll by Romford Echo (Elena Vasquez) showed 85% planning to attend, praising the free access. It also spotlights NHS contributions, countering national narratives of crisis with stories of unity.
Schools nearby, like those in Havering, have been invited, fostering intergenerational bonds. Headteacher Laura Benson remarked to Education East London (by Rajiv Patel):
“Our pupils will learn about community service through song.”
How Can the Public Get Involved or Support the Choir?
Attendance is open and free – arrive at St Edward’s by 6.30pm on December 18. Donations for choir funds or hospital charities will be welcomed at the door, as announced in BHRUT flyers covered by Local News Hub journalist Sam Ward.
Follow-up opportunities include joining rehearsals (open to NHS staff) or hospital carol visits. Contact details via trust websites encourage community choirs to collaborate.
Mike Dixie invited all in Havering Post (Mia Chen):
“Come sing with us or cheer us on – your presence makes the difference.”
