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Living Room Service Users Release Christmas Charity Single

By Living Room correspondent Big Bernie

A very common theme amongst addicts, and addicts in recovery, is that of artistic creativity. Addicts have it in heaps, and those who move into recovery carry that creativity with them, and are far more able to express it than ever they were in active addiction.


One of the hardest parts of living with an addiction is loneliness. The volunteers and service users at the Living Room Cardiff know this all too well, having travelled on their own journeys through illness and recovery. This year, however, they know it can be different and they are raising funds for an amazing Christmas present to addicts around the world; a radio station that will speak directly to them, wherever they are.


Six months ago the staff and service users at the centre began to set up a digital radio station to send a message of recovery to reach addicts worldwide.


One of the key challenges has been fundraising, and the Living Room need to reach its £1,600 goal by January. Centre volunteer and music producer James Hoare has written and recorded a Christmas Single called ‘Alone at Christmas’ with his friends to raise money and highlight the hidden crisis of loneliness over the festive season.


James said:


“It is amazing to be involved in the Living Room, Cardiff and see the miracles that happen within the centre everyday, and see people open the doors to recovery. It is amazing to use my creativity to give back to the community with this Christmas song and I hope people will listen to and enjoy it all over the world.”


Living Room project worker Nick Shepley said: “I was really excited by this project and I think the song is terrific. I hope that those who listen to it are able to donate something to establish a brilliant new radio station in 2020 to connect people who desperately need hope, comfort and healing that music brings.”

Listen to the song, enjoy it, play it to your friends, and share it far and wide here: -



Our target goal is £1,600 which will pay for the hardware and licencing for the "Recovery Radio" station, and with your help we can achieve this. Every pound you donate will help us reach someone who is in the darkest of places and will enable us to bring words of comfort and support (and great music!!), as they take the journey to wellness. If you would like to donate whatever you can to the campaign for a brilliant new digital Recovery Radio station in 2020, you can do so by clicking the link below: -



The release will be launched at the Living Room's annual "Tree of Hope" ceremony at 6pm on Wednesday the 11th of December 2019, when service users and supporters of the LIving Room formally turn on the Christmas lights and hang messages of love, hope, and strength on the centre's Christmas Tree. We are openly inviting members of the press to attend the Tree Of Hope Ceremony on Wednesday 11th December from 6pm at the centre (58 Richmond Road, Cardiff CF24 3AT). Please give us a call on 029 2049 3895 if you are from the press and would like to come along.


Below are a few photos of the recording process for "Alone at Christmas", by James Hoare and featuring: -


Drums - Andrew Smith

Main Guitar - Ben Vickers

2nd Guitar - Big Bernie

Lead Guitar - Nick Hoare

Piano - James Hoare

Bells - James Hoare

Lyrics - James Hoare

Backing Vocals - Loren Hoare


The song was produced by Jnl Productions and mixed by Reid's Digital Music




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