What Is The Ebor Court Care Home Christmas Song A Hug For Christmas In York?

It’s that time of year again. The shops are full of tinsel, everyone’s humming festive tunes, and the race is on to create the next big Christmas hit. But forget the pop stars and talent show winners for a minute. In Nether Poppleton, York, something truly special is happening at the Ebor Court Care Home. The residents, staff, and their families have come together to create their very own Christmas song, and it’s a proper tune that’s all about what really matters: community spirit and a good old hug. This isn't just any singalong; it's a full-blown musical project that has brought everyone together, proving that the best festive cheer comes from the heart.

More than just decking the halls

Most places are happy to just hang up some baubles and put up a tree, but not Ebor Court. This year, they’ve taken the classic carol ‘Deck the Halls’ and given it a complete remix, creating a brand new track called ‘A Hug for Christmas’. The idea was to make a song that captures the feeling of togetherness that fills the home during the festive season.

The brilliant new lyrics were written by the home’s very own Lifestyle Manager, Denise Cooper. A Lifestyle Manager’s job is to make sure life in the home is fun and full of interesting things to do, and Denise has certainly delivered. But it gets even cooler. To give the song a really modern and professional sound, they brought in an acclaimed musician, the Scottish beatboxer BIGG TAJ, to mix the final track. He's a pro at creating amazing beats and sounds using just his voice, and his touch has helped make this Christmas song stand out. The whole musical project has been a massive team effort, involving not just the residents and staff, but their families and local musicians too.

A bit of Band Aid magic in York

Remember those famous charity songs where loads of pop stars get together in a studio to sing their hearts out? That’s exactly the vibe at Ebor Court. They’ve created their own Band Aid-style version of the song, with everyone lending their voices. The residents and staff gathered to record the track, creating an atmosphere that was buzzing with excitement and warmth. An early version of the Christmas song has already been shared on Facebook, giving everyone a sneak peek of the fun and connection that defines Christmas at this HC-One home.

The inspiration behind it all is simple but powerful. As Denise Cooper, the Lifestyle Manager, put it:

“At Ebor Court we don’t just deck the halls, we remix them! Watching our residents and staff come together was truly special and reminds us what Christmas is really about. Sometimes, all we need is a hug.”

It’s this simple act of kindness that inspired the song’s title, ‘A Hug for Christmas’, and it’s a message that everyone can get behind. The project shows the amazing community spirit that flourishes when people work together.

Come and join the fun!

The celebrations don’t stop with a Facebook video. To make things even more exciting, a special live recording event is planned for Sunday, 14 December at 2:00 pm. Everyone in the local community is invited to come down to the Ebor Court Care Home and be part of the magic.

Here’s what’s happening at the event:

• A live, Band Aid-style performance of ‘A Hug for Christmas’.
• Support from the super-talented local vocal group, The Rolling Tones.
• A chance for the whole community to join in the singing.
• And to top it all off, a celebratory ‘big group hug’ after the song!

This event is all about sharing the joy and bringing people together. It’s a wonderful example of how the festive season can strengthen community bonds, involving local musicians and neighbours in a heartwarming celebration.

What it means to everyone involved

This musical project has clearly meant the world to the people who took part. It’s more than just singing a song; it’s about making memories and feeling connected. The residents at Ebor Court have been at the centre of it all, and their enthusiasm is infectious.

One resident, Pat Bean, shared just how much she enjoyed the experience:

“Singing with everyone made me feel so young again. It’s lovely to be part of something that brings so much joy.”

That feeling of joy is something the Home Manager, Yvonne Penrose, saw first-hand. It’s clear she is incredibly proud of the whole Ebor Court family.

“I’m so proud of everyone who took part. The joy in the room was incredible. We can’t wait to do it all again on Sunday. It’s moments like this that remind us why Ebor Court feels like one big family.”

When a place feels like a family, you know the care provided is coming from a place of genuine warmth and kindness. This project brought together residents, staff, and their families in a way that truly celebrated their community.

Kindness and care at its heart

The Ebor Court Care Home is part of HC-One, a large provider of social care that believes deeply in kindness. The whole idea behind HC-One is to help people lead their best lives, and that means caring about what matters most to them. This can mean providing excellent residential or dementia care, but it also means creating moments of pure joy, just like this one.

This Christmas project is a perfect example of that philosophy in action. It’s not just about looking after people’s physical needs; it’s about nurturing their emotional well-being and fostering a real sense of belonging. The staff at Ebor Court have gone above and beyond to create an experience that the residents will never forget, showing that the best kind of care is the kind that comes with a smile, a song, and maybe even a big hug.