Mum-of-four's Vera Lynn inspired live streamed gigs keeping spirits up in care homes

With the pubs and clubs shut, mum-of-four Deborah Taylor-Smith is using her voice to support those who are caring for other.
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The 37-year-old Sunderland University performing arts student has found her main source of income shut down following the Government’s announcement bars, restaurants and cafes must close to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.

So in between studies and looking after her children, Matthew, 19, Charlotte, 17, Charlie, 13, and Maysie, nine, she has been working to keep everyone’s spirits up during these tough times.

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In addition to the pop songs she sings in bars, she performs a Vera Lynn-inspired show as Wor Vera, with her gigs performed live to care homes via the internet and daily Facebook live gigs drawing in fans.

Deborah Taylor-Smith performing her Wor Vera show.Deborah Taylor-Smith performing her Wor Vera show.
Deborah Taylor-Smith performing her Wor Vera show.

And to mark the #clapforcarers event on the night of Thursday, April 2, she took to her own street, Hautmont Road in Hebburn, to join in the celebrations, with You’ll Never Walk Alone and Dancing in the Street among the tracks played to neighbours.

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She also added Sweet Caroline – changing the words to “not holding hands” – with the clap even more emotional for her as her mum, Yvonne Barnes, 61, works at the Windsor Care Home in Jarrow.

The video has already been shared more than 1,300 times and viewed by 6,400 people on Facebook.

Deborah Taylor-Smith performing from her garden wall during the #clapforcarers celebration efforts in her Hebburn street.Deborah Taylor-Smith performing from her garden wall during the #clapforcarers celebration efforts in her Hebburn street.
Deborah Taylor-Smith performing from her garden wall during the #clapforcarers celebration efforts in her Hebburn street.
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Deborah said: “It was so nice to see other people who live around here out to take part and it was just so lovely to see the community all come together for this reason.

“My mam works in a care home, she’s working during the night and I just think for anyone out there doing that, so see so many people put in that effort and come together, it’s a really great thing.

“I find that I always feel a lot better when I’m making other people happy and it’s really humbling, reading some of the comments where people have given me their support.

Deborah Taylor-Smith on stage during one of her performances.Deborah Taylor-Smith on stage during one of her performances.
Deborah Taylor-Smith on stage during one of her performances.

“I had loads of bookings for VE day, but they’ve all been cancelled, but I’ve still been able to do some shows for homes through Facebook and they’ve streamed it on their televisions.

“It’s just lovely to be able to make them smile.”

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Deborah Taylor-Smith usually performs in care homes, but has been singing via a live link-up during the coronavirus crisis.Deborah Taylor-Smith usually performs in care homes, but has been singing via a live link-up during the coronavirus crisis.
Deborah Taylor-Smith usually performs in care homes, but has been singing via a live link-up during the coronavirus crisis.

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