Catchy festive feelgood song captures the joy of Christmas

The spirit of Christmas has been captured in a catchy feel-good song created as part of a year-long partnership between Prior's Court and a boarding house at a nearby school.

Autistic young people with complex needs at Prior’s Court and students from AGS House, one of the boarding houses at Downe House School, have worked together to produce a Christmas song called “Christmas Joy”.

The young people at the two organisations have been working on Christmas Joy since October and the song went live online today:

How Christmas Joy was made

Young people at Prior’s Court and AGS House were challenged to come up with lyrics that encapsulate what Christmas means to them. The Prior's Court young people were supported in class sessions through the use of photos, videos and sensory items to choose what themes they wanted to include.

Tomson Chauke, an Autism Practitioner at Prior’s Court who led the project, worked with Michael Liggins from Downe House School to produce a festive feeling melody with support from musician Knowledge Nkoma in Tomson’s native Zimbabwe.

After plenty of rehearsals,  recording sessions of lyrics and musical tracks with Reading-based musician Pete Doyle took place separately at Prior's Court and Downe House School.

Finally, on Wednesday, 4 December, AGS House students visited Prior’s Court to see the young people here involved in the project, put up Christmas decorations and sing Christmas Joy together.

The view from Prior's Court

Prior’s Court is working with AGS House in 2024/25 in a partnership which is providing benefits to young people at both organisations, supporting them to broaden their horizons.

Tomson said: “The partnership between Prior’s Court and AGS House is all about inspiring young people on both sides, providing them with new opportunities and raising awareness of autism and complex needs.

“Christmas is a time of togetherness and this was so clear on December 4 when the two groups of young people met and spent time together – it was a truly magical experience for all involved.

“I’m so proud of what all of the young people involved have created and I’m confident singing Christmas Joy will become a regular part of festive life at Prior’s Court.”

The view from Downe House School

Izzy and Maya from AGS House, both soloists on the recording, said:

It was a completely new experience for us to work on a collaborative song like this. Everyone from Prior’s Court was really welcoming and it was fun for everyone involved to get together.

Our 2024 Christmas Appeal 

Prior’s Court has a 2024 Christmas Appeal ongoing. Donations to the festive fundraiser go to the charity’s Fun and Recreation Appeal which brings incredible experiences and opportunities to the autistic young people we support. The 2024 Christmas Appeal is specifically about supporting events in the 2025 festive period.

Find out more