Brotherhood of Man singer becomes a care home entertainer

Residents at a Dorset care home are being treated to regular live performances from a Eurovision Song Contest winner in the comfort of their own lounge.

Nicky Stevens from 70s pop sensation Brotherhood of Man has been appointed as a companionship team member at Amberwood House in Ferndown.

The band gained worldwide fame when they won Eurovision in 1976 with the song 'Save Your Kisses for Me'.

It went on to be a number one hit in 33 countries, holding the top spot in the UK for six weeks and becoming one of the most successful Eurovision songs ever.

Like many other artists in the music industry, Brotherhood of Man had been looking forward to a year of gigs until the coronavirus pandemic of early 2020 brought much of the live music industry to an end.

’We have a Eurovision Song Contest winner performing in our own lounge’

Ms Stevens, who is the only Welsh person to have won Eurovision, said: “I’ve spent 48 years in Brotherhood of Man with same line-up of four people. We sometimes joke that we’re ‘still working and walking’. However, because of the pandemic, all our work was wiped out.

“We had a very full diary planned but our last gig was in March 2020. I am also a voice coach and a singing teacher, and I run a choir. I was really busy then suddenly had nothing. Just by luck I was on a week’s holiday and saw an ad for Colten Care entertainers and companions. I applied, had an interview and got the job.”

A classically trained singer and pianist, Ms Stevens has been a professional musician all her adult life and a member of Brotherhood of Man since 1972. Ms Stevens who lives in Corfe Mullen, Dorset, now enjoys working three days a week at the care home.

“It’s absolutely fantastic.

“I’ve had such a warm welcome from the staff and residents. It’s a totally new scenario for me, going into a workplace where people are doing different jobs, but everybody is really lovely to me.”

Ms Stevens sings and plays a range of music for residents including 50s and 60s hits, jazz standards and songs from the war years. She is currently planning a ‘Cockney afternoon’ featuring old London singalongs.

The Brotherhood of Man singer said: “Music is so therapeutic and uplifting. The residents tell me they really love it. Some join in straight away if they know the tune. One lady calls me her ‘little nightingale’. They know I can sing but some don’t know I won Eurovision. I would like to say they are in total awe but they just accept you are performing and appreciate it. As long as they enjoy what I’m doing with them, that’s the main thing.”

Aside from performing, her companionship role includes holding group sessions on arts and crafts, staging quizzes and games, and spending one-to-one time with individual residents.

“I have a great learning curve every day. It’s a joy to be able to contribute to the wellbeing of the residents and provide stimulation for them through varied experiences and activities. They are always pleased to see new faces. So many elderly people around the world are not seeing their families as much because of the pandemic. Witnessing our residents being happy because of what we do as a team makes all our work so worthwhile.”

Ms Stevens is full of praise for her colleagues at the home.

“I’ve had a marvellous induction, I couldn’t wish for better colleagues. They are full of help, patience and understanding and they care so much about all the work they do.”

Amberwood House resident Kathleen Bonner said: “Nicky has the most beautiful singing voice and it’s absolutely amazing to think we have a Eurovision Song Contest winner performing songs live to us in our own lounge.”

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