Hebburn singer 'Wor Vera' helps boost morale with singalong at coronavirus-hit care home

Residents of Stanley Park Care Home in County Durham enjoyed a morale-lifting performance by a Vera Lynn tribute act.

Hebburn performer Deborah Taylor-Smith - known as the Geordie Sweetheart 'Wor Vera' - sang a selection of wartime classics such as We'll Meet Again and White Cliffs of Dover to entertain the residents.

The 37-year-old crooner was dressed head to toe in 1940's Navy attire, topped with Victory rolls, as she performed to raise morale.

Care UK which operates the care home in Stanley confirmed on Monday, April 13 that a 13th resident had died after suffering from Covid-19 symptoms following a concentrated outbreak at the home.

It has since been confirmed that another resident has sadly passed away, bringing the total to 14.

Deborah, a mum-of-four, said: "If I can spread joy through singing then why not? It is worth its weight in gold to see the residents.

"I am just a singer, it is not an important job but to me it is the best job in the world because it makes other people smile.

"I have been boosting morale, I feel a little bit like how Vera Lynn might have felt, making people feel happy and positive during a difficult time."

The professional singer added: "I was devastated when this began, I thought I had lost my job, I didn't know what to do but then I woke up the next day and I just thought, I'll sing anyway."

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Kelly Matthews, a wedding photographer from Stanley, who organised the special event said the pair wanted to bring some joy to the community during these difficult times.

The 41-year-old mum of two said: "I first met Deborah at a wedding, she is a brilliant singer and as none of us can currently work she had said if anybody wanted her to sing outside a care home she would, so I just arranged for her to come out and do just that.

"The home is in a residential area so everyone was able to come out and bring a lot of cheer.”

Kelly continued: “It was amazing. There were families coming up to the home, who were staying safe, but you could see they were crying because they could see their family.

"Deborah has done an amazing job, it really was humbling.

"It is people getting together and supporting each other and that is what it is all about."

She added: “Stanley Park has suffered from a lot. I wanted to bring happiness and joy to the residents instead of leaving them sat and thinking about it.

“There are quite a few with dementia and you could see they recognised the songs, they were singing along and dancing. They were able to enjoy life for an hour.

"They were in the windows dancing, waving and the joy on their faces was amazing.”

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