North East London NHS Foundation Trust (NELFT) has partnered with Hospital Rooms and the world-renowned Kingdom Choir, famous for performing ‘Stand By Me’ at the Royal Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, to showcase the power of music in improving mental health and wellbeing.
Trading their NHS uniforms for choir robes, staff at Goodmayes Hospital were trained in gospel over several weeks by Kingdom Choir founder and conductor, Karen Gibson MBE, culminating in a powerful live performance at a packed Whitechapel Gallery in London.
Karen Gibson MBE, Founder & Conductor of The Kingdom Choir, said: “We were invited to join this interesting project which was very much in line with our hearts about wholeness, peace and wellness through singing. That’s us, that’s what we are about. I feel like we’ve been building something together with the choir and the team, it’s been great.”
Leah Chitembwe, Family Liaison Officer at Goodmayes Hospital, reflecting on her time in the choir, said: “This project was a wonderful opportunity for staff and involvement representatives to share moments of joy through singing and dancing. Hospital Rooms and Kingdom Choir gave us that mid-week boost we all needed, it was truly therapeutic. Each session ended with smiles and joyful hearts, and every song carried a meaningful message.
“Personally, the timing couldn’t have been better. These Thursdays became a source of comfort during my grieving journey after losing my dad, giving me courage and connection.”
The collaboration is part of NELFT’s two-year partnership with Hospital Rooms, which is transforming mental health spaces through art and co-creation. Supported by Arts Council England, the initiative contributes to a National Framework for Equal Access to Arts in Mental Health Services, embedding culture, creativity, and compassion at the heart of healthcare.
Tim A Shaw, Co-founder, Hospital Rooms, said: “Working with The Kingdom Choir and NHS staff at Goodmayes Hospital has shown how powerful it can be when people are given the space to express themselves creatively. We have loved seeing and hearing the people in the choir put themselves out there and then perform so brilliantly in front of hundreds of people, and to feel part of something collective.
“The staff at the hospital work so hard and do everything they can for the people they care for, and I hope the choir continues and brings more music and joy to themselves and the hospital. Seeing staff not just take part, but become the artists themselves, has been one of the most exciting and joyful parts of this project.”
Siphiwe Mnguni, Senior Public Programmes Curator at Hospital Rooms, said: “It feels like a love letter to every NHS member of staff who goes round the clock providing service, giving them an opportunity where they can have a voice, where they can be seen and valued, and give power back to them.”
Captured in a short film, this performance stands as a powerful testament to creativity and care and will live on permanently at Goodmayes Hospital for staff, patients, and visitors to experience.
