Breaking Down the Barriers

“The Merry Hearts Choir”

CENTACARE

Peter Selwood - Executive Director

Provides a broad base of social services

• Family Relationship Services

• Mental Health Support Services

• Employee Assistance programs

• Disability Services

• Community Aged Care

• Chaplaincy Services

• Child Care Services

• 3200 staff

Our Philosophy & Purpose

To facilitate and promote opportunities for

ageing people, people living with mental

illness, people living with a disability &

carers to enjoy optimum independence,

health and social wellbeing; and for them

to continue participating in family, social

and community life.

Who We Are

• Community based organisation providing a

range of support and services to frail older

people, people with mental illness, younger

people with a disability and their carers.

• Part of the Community Services arm of the

Catholic Church

• Not-For Profit & Government funded

We have over 500

clients

Services Include:

• Social Club

• Small Group

Programs

• In-home supports

30 staff and 10

volunteers

Our Community Partners• Northgate State School

• Aspley Care

• Buranda Catholic Church

Social Activities

Recreational activities organised by

qualified staff

Rekindle past hobbies & interests

Opportunities to socialise,

make new friends

Reduce social isolation

Break for carers

Social Club

The history of the Merry Hearts Choir

SERVICES• 17 Clients with a mental health illness weretransferred to Centacare Northgate from anotherservice provider

• The group decided on the name of the choir whileon a bus trip

• Currently there are 9 members and over the periodof time the group is mostly still the original groupexcept for one member only 2 members havemoved on to other things.

• They practice as often as possible and accept anyinvitations to sing.

The history of the Merry Hearts Choir

In December 2010 the Merry Hearts Choir of Centacare Northgate made their singing debut at the annual Christmas pageant and proudly lived their motto -everybody can do something!

Rod states ‘I enjoy the singing, songs, choir members and the people we sing to.

Cheryl ‘I love going out with the choir to sing because it makes me feel good’.

Hans states ‘I enjoy singing in front of the audiences.’

Their recitals clearly demonstrate that everyone has the ability to contribute to their community and achieve their dreams to continue to sing and entertain everyone!

There was never a question of will it work?

Rather, how can we make it work?

Challenges

• Cultural Barriers

• Age

• Disability

How did we manage the challenges?

• Staff Training

• Client/Carer Involvement – program development

• Redesigning current facility

Breaking Down the Barriers

Focus has always been on what the members want to achieveindividually and this has included singing, performing, reading,making friends and/or gaining confidence. Working as a teamhas required choir members to be committed and alsounderstanding when the recovery journey of peers has had upsand downs.

There has always been an expectation that choir members willbe included in the development and future direction of the choirincluding in song and performance choice.

Support staff and volunteers are aware that the choir will notsucceed without the members being satisfied with what they arecurrently doing as well as provided with opportunities forpersonal growth through the discovery of new values, skills andinterests. Opportunities have included performing solos anddeveloping acting skills through joining the Go-Getter’s dramagroup.

The choir members enjoy socialising with other clients at

Centacare and particularly enjoy the friendship and fun of the

other members of the choir. The friendships that have

established from within the choir are truly inspirational. Choir

members not only enjoy each others’ company when at

Centacare but also socialise independent of their time at the

service. Choir member Rod states ‘I enjoy the singing, songs,

choir members and the people we sing to.

The Merry Hearts gain great pleasure during their performances,

especially when everyone sings along and when the members

receive a rousing applause. This is exemplified by choir member

Hans who states ‘I enjoy singing in front of the audiences.’ Their

recitals clearly demonstrate that everyone has the ability to

contribute to their community and achieve their dreams.

Leadership, Vision & Innovation

Staff at Centacare work

collaboratively with members of

the choir in order to understand

consumer perspectives on

recovery and mental illness and

through performance destigmatise

mental health issues. The choir

performances initially helped

promote understanding with

existing Centacare clients. This

understanding has since extended

into the wider community, of

people living with mental illness as

individuals with hopes, dreams

and desires beyond their mental

illness.

The commitment of the Merry Heart members has

demonstrated to family members and carers anything can be

achieved if you put your mind to it. This has had a positive

impact on family/carer relationships with perceived limitations

on abilities changed.

The choir has provided hope and a realisation for members

and their families, carers and social networks that it is possible

to have a meaningful and full life despite mental illness.

Centacare is committed to improving the quality of life of

people living with a mental illness and promoting their

inclusion in the wider community. This is exemplified by the

Merry Hearts choir and is explained best by choir member

Cheryl ‘I love going out with the choir to sing because it makes

me feel good’.

MERRY HEARTS CHOIR ACHIEVEMENTS

2013

Performed at the Fundraiser for the orphans of the

Japanese earthquake

2014

Nominated for Minds click Qld mental health Week Award

2015

Centacare Award for most innovated program

2016

Article in The Catholic Leader

Some of the members of the choir are also part of the

Centacare Northgate drama program - the ‘Go Getters’.

Being members of the choir has enhanced their self-esteem

and confidence and this is clearly demonstrated within the

Go-Getters`s performances.