Parkside resident Amanda records her own CD for charity

Amanda, who lives at Parkside, Exemplar Health Care’s specialist care home in Tipton in the West Midlands, has had the opportunity to realise her lifelong dream of producing her own songs at a local recording studio thanks to the home’s committed activities team.

When Amanda told Parkside’s care and activities teams about her passion for music, singing and her dream of recording her own songs, the team worked together to book a slot at a local studio for her produce her own music.

Amanda lives with spina bifida and hydrocephalus, and says, “I don’t let my disability get me down or stop me from doing anything.”

Using her music to make a difference, Amanda will be selling her CD to raise money for a charity chosen by the Lord Mayor of Sandwell Councillor Joy Edis. After hearing about her CD and that she wanted to raise money for charity, Mayor Joy Edis took the time to meet Amanda, talk through the project and choose a charity to receive the funds raised.

The money raised will go towards a special bereavement bench at Sandwell Hospital’s maternity unit and towards a heart defibrillator at a local school.

After recording her CD, Amanda will be singing live to service users and colleagues at both Parkside and nearby Exemplar Health Care home Bridgewood Mews.

Amanda said: “I have always had a passion for music and I like any music that feels good and make me want to dance. I like Petula Clarke, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and anything from the 60s.

“Parkside’s activities team have helped me so much and I am so happy I have been able to experience going to the recording studio. My inspirations are Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey – my favourite song is One Moment In Time because I want people to give me ‘one moment to sing’.

“I have met with the Mayor Joy Edis and she would like the raised money to go towards bench at Sandwell Hospital’s maternity unit and towards a heart defibrillator at a local school from the CD sales.”

Cath Sandy, Home Manager at Parkside, said: “We are all so proud of Amanda and happy that she could realise her dream of recording her own music.

“Our activities team always work with our residents to ensure people get to do the things they want to do. It is fantastic that the Mayor met with Amanda to show her support. It will be great for Amanda’s CD sales to go towards such a worthy cause.

“Amanda is a fantastic inspiration and has a lovely, positive attitude in achieving her goals. We are looking forward to watching her perform.”

Parkside, provides specialist nursing care for 20 adults living with neuro-disabilities, brain injury and stroke, mental health conditions and complex dementia and is one of Exemplar Health Care’s 26 specialist care homes across Yorkshire, the North West and Midlands caring for adults with very complex needs.