Home care worker pens CWC charity song about COVID-19 heroes

Care worker Ingrid Clift, who works at Home Counties Carers (HCC), has written a song inspired by care staff's heroic efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ms Clift and fellow care worker Kathryn Harris met while working together at The Orpheus Centre in Godstone, Surrey and decided to create the song 'We Are Here' for the Care Workers' Charity (CWC).

Kathryn Harris, who has a music composition degree, currently works as an occupational therapy support worker at the Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr Hospital in Caerphilly.

Describing her musical collaboration with Ms Harris, Home Counties Carer's head of care Ingrid Clift said: "I asked Kathryn during lockdown if she could write a melody for the lyrics I had written to the song.

"The inspiration for the lyrics came from a place of pure pride in the care sector as we worked through the lockdown. The carers I worked with and community NHS staff just stepped up selflessly on a daily basis.

"Care comes first, no matter what, our duty of care is to those who depend on us, to those who are waiting for us, to those who trust us”.

After writing 'We Are Here', Ms Clift approached Surrey Music who helped arrange for singer Rachel Mason to lend her voice to the song.

It is hoped the new song will encourage the public to donate money to the CWC, which supports carers and former carers facing financial hardship.

Ingrid Clift said: "We've chosen to support The Care Workers' Charity with our song 'We Are Here' because of the great work they do in representing and advocating on behalf of care workers".

The song’s music video is made up of photographs of care workers at a number of care settings including Cherry Trees, The Grange at Bookham and HCC. The photographs were snapped by photographer Haley Woodward and will form part of a major exhibition to celebrate care workers.

Ingrid Clift said of her care work at HCC: "It's been hard work at times but extremely rewarding and lots of fun too.

“I've laughed and cried, made many friends, worked with dear colleagues, been inspired and learnt so many new skills as well as so much about myself.

"The care sector has literally changed my life, it is the best thing that has ever happened to me. Today, I'm so glad that I was bold and brave and chose a career in the care. I'm a kinder, happier and better person because of it."

To make a donation to the CWC, you can visit the Ingrid Clift's JustGiving page.

click here for more details or to contact Home Counties Carers (Live In and Home Care)