A FRONTLINE worker who found solace in singing during the coronavirus crisis says "a dream is coming true" after launching her own choir.

Lucy Laidlaw, 34, is a colposcopy nurse at Colchester Hospital and specialises in the care, treatment and prevention of cervical cancer.

She was inspired to join the NHS after being profoundly impacted by the dignity and respect shown by those who cared for her late mum.

Lucy, who had planned to pursue a career on stage, started singing from a young age and studied performing arts at Colchester Institute.

After her mum's death, however, she parked her passion before an old friend convinced her to join a community choir, which helped her process her grief.

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Following a series of interviews and auditions, she has now become a choir tutor for The BIG Sing and now runs a weekly singing group in Colchester.

Lucy said: "I had been telling my work colleagues I was going to start a choir after my colposcopist exams but then we went into lockdown.

"So, I feel this is a dream coming true for me as I open a choir in my community and make an impact on the area where I live.

"The BIG Sing is more than just a choir, we are a family uniting communities with uplifting and motivating music inspired by gospel and teaching.

"The choir is open to everyone, there are no auditions and you don't need to have a fantastic singing voice just bring your enthusiasm."

Prior to starting her own choir, Lucy had turned to singing for relief from the pandemic, which she says was the hardest thing she has experienced as a nurse.

She added: "Singing for me is like therapy, it helps me to distress and lifts my soul and brings me so much happiness.

"Being a nurse is a hard job physically, mentally and emotionally, you give so much of yourself for others, never expecting anything in return.

"Singing is something I do for me but the best bits are feeling a sense of community and belonging, something the pandemic took away - but now it's time to be reunited."

Lucy's choir costs £7 per session and runs on Monday evenings at Queen Boudica Primary School in Colchester.

To find out more visit facebook.com/groups/228264741089068 or big-sing.com.