“We hope it will bring a smile to all our colleagues” - Lloyds Banking Group choir singing to raise people’s spirits

Lloyds Banking Group staff in Halifax have helped create a version of the Bill Withers song Lean On Me to help lift people’s spirits during the coronavirus pandemic.
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The track was released on Wednesday, April 22 and is the culmination of a six-month well-being initiative called Tune In.

Martin Roberts, from Halifax, who works at the Trinity Road head office, said: “This was all about supporting our colleagues mental health through the power of singing, with sessions taking place for one hour every Wednesday at sites all across the UK and the results have exceeded all our expectations.

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“The plan was to release the song later this year, but we with the partner company On Song have worked tirelessly to get it ready for now, to hopefully bring a little cheer and respite from the current crisis.

Some of the Halifax choirSome of the Halifax choir
Some of the Halifax choir

“I set up the choir last year which was by chance in some respects.

“I was invited to go and do a presentation at John Lewis’ Offices in London as they had heard about my own personal journey and the company On Song were there and who after a few conversations, I then approached our directors for some funding.

“We then created a choir group in Halifax of around 45 colleagues and then groups in Edinburgh, Manchester, Bristol and Edinburgh, supported by the company On Song.

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“We had over 300 colleagues who joined and there were around 100 who attended a final performance in London where we recorded the song and video which we have just released.

Martin RobertsMartin Roberts
Martin Roberts

“The song and its words are so relevant at this time, and we hope it will bring a smile to all our colleagues, especially those on the front line who continue to serve our customers every single day and who many have partners, family also working for the NHS.

“We are asking for a small donation towards our charity partner Mental Health UK, to help support them and the amazing work they do and which, given the current crisis and what will be needed post the crisis on mental health, is going to be so crucial.”

To download both the song and video, visit the Just Giving page at http://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/tunein where you will find links and an opportunity to make a donation.

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