Hft’s accessible choir hitting all the right notes

“Going to choir each week is my favourite thing to do”

Kay Nicholls has always enjoyed singing a tune in the shower.

But rather than just keeping her talents to herself, Kay decided to turn her passion for music into something she could enjoy with others in her role as a Service Manager in Devon for the learning disability charity, Hft.

Kay, who is Service Manager at the residential care and support service Oak Tree House in Bampton, was working as manager at Hft’s South Molton supported living service when she came up with the idea of starting a choir for the people she supported.

“There was a feeling within the service that new activities for learning disabled people to take part in during the day would be nice,” said Kay, who recently celebrated her 20th work anniversary with Hft.

“We had a team of support workers with various passions, hobbies and interests that the people we support were interested in learning and experiencing so we decided to use those to develop an informal day service.”

The day service started to evolve, offering gardening workshops, arts and crafts sessions and of course, the choir – now known as The Holler Choir.

After learning about the different activities being offered, families started fundraising, helping to buy a sound system for the choir to use.

Fifteen years after it evolved, the choir is still going strong and has performed at events across Devon, including the Diversity Festival in Barnstaple.

The choir also performs at Christmas events and Oak Tree House’s annual family day – as well as at Barnstaple Gateway Club.

It has also entered a float in South Molton Carnival  – winning prizes and awards.

The choir is now 20 members strong and made up of learning disabled adults supported at the South Molton Supported Living Service and Oak Tree House.

During the covid pandemic, the choir continued to operate, but in a very different format.

“Because of the restrictions, we broadcast our sessions online,” said Kay.

“We opened the windows in each room and the people we support sang out of them and we recorded it then shared it with others.

“Some sang in the gardens too.”

The choir meets each Friday, in South Molton and is open to all to join.

One singer who enjoys the choir is Will.

“I love coming to choir and singing and I enjoy the friendships it has given me.

“I have met people I didn’t know before.”

Will added: “I like singing nice songs, including Rocking All Over the World by Status Quo.”

Kay, who took singing lessons as a child and appeared in local musicals, said: “Going to choir each week is my favourite thing to do,” she said.

“It’s wonderful to use my passion for singing with others and see them enjoy it as much as I do.

“I don’t really care what I sound like, it’s not about that.

“It’s about everyone coming together and sharing their love of music and singing – and perhaps having a little bop too.”