You Called, We Came - Newham Music

Newham Music > You Called, We Came

2 images. The top image is a birds-eye view of a group of school children singing and holding their arms out while performing in a choir. A teacher can be seen conducting them in the bottom left corner. The 2nd image is of the HMT Empire Windrush, a ship that has become a symbol of the post-war migration from the Caribbean to Britain.

You Called, We Came is a Newham Music and Vital Arts project celebrating the Windrush Generation and their positive impact on London and the NHS.

Following the success of our Windrush Day collaborations in 2024 and 2025, Vital Arts, the in-house creative health team for Barts Health NHS Trust, is teaming up with Newham Music to bring more music into the heart of Newham Hospital – and to connect the hospital community with the rich arts opportunities that Newham has to offer.

As part of the new partnership, professional musicians will run bespoke weekly rehearsals with the hospital staff choir and local school children, helping them prepare for performances throughout the year. Their first performance took place at Newham Hospital BAME Network’s Black History Month celebration in October 2025.

The staff choir, established over six years ago, features members from various roles, from radiographers to nurses, admin teams and clinicians.

Choir lead and reporting radiographer Funke Bella said:

“These sessions will be such a lift for staff morale and we are really grateful to Newham Music for their support. Singing together is a great stress-buster and a chance to connect with colleagues in a completely different way.”

Sarah Jones, Creative Producer/Manager at Newham Music, added:

‘At Newham Music we know the simple act of singing can lift spirits and bring comfort. By bringing our work into the hospital, we hope to create moments of calm, joy and connection that support the wellbeing of staff and patients alike.’

In addition to working with the staff choir, the partnership will bring musical sessions to patients across the hospital wards.

A group of young people aged 8-12 performing in a choir at Stratford Town Hall as part of Windrush Day event.

Windrush 2024

As part of Newham Music’s You Called, We Came project in June 2024, the Junior Repz Choir learnt songs from our Windrush 75 repertoire. Songs included London is the Place for Me, Dis Long Time Gal, and You Called, We Came, which explored the culture and experiences of the Windrush Generation.

The five weeks of rehearsals culminated into a performance at Newham Council’s Windrush Day event at East Ham Town Hall!

Listen to ‘You Called, We Came’:

Watch a performance of You Called, We Came by St Antony’s Catholic Primary School ft Ebony Steel Band.

Join Junior Repz Choir

We are delighted to invite 8-12 year olds to join our Junior Repz Choir on Tuesday evenings at Shipman Youth Zone. If you are interested in taking part in similar projects, sign up for Junior Repz choir here.