Jewish Care thanked for ‘giving life back’ to Sixties pop star during Woman of Distinction fundraiser

“Mum had moved away, and there were periods of time when we weren’t in touch. After my children were born, I knew I wanted them to know their grandmother, and I wanted Mum to know her grandchildren. There were challenges along the way, but we persevered.”

Anne said that her mother had been living alone in a small flat, becoming increasingly isolated during Covid, when she discovered Sidney Corob House. “I couldn’t believe it. It was beshert. Until that moment, I had no idea it existed.”

Anne said the staff cared for her mother “with such warmth, kindness and dignity”, recalling that they had organised a pink limousine to take her into London to celebrate the launch of her reissued album.

Anne added: “She is surrounded by a compassionate, welcoming and loving Jewish environment. She has made friends. She is no longer isolated. She has a community.”

(left to right) Woman of Distinction (WoD) co-chair Danielle Hass, India Hicks, Baroness Cass and WoD co-chair Danielle Lipton (Photo: Yakir Zur)[Missing Credit]

The event was also a celebration of the 40th Woman of Distinction lunch, which saw Baroness Hilary Cass OBE receive the award.

She was appointed to chair an independent review into gender identity services for children and young people, and the Cass Review was published in April 2024, with advice for a holistic, multi-disciplinary model of care.

As former President of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, Baroness Cass established a group to address the challenges for families and professionals in supporting the rising number of children with complex medical conditions and disabilities.

She was awarded an OBE for services to child health in 2015, and a peerage in July 2024.

Following a visit to Sidney Corob House, Baroness Cass said the staff at the home and Jewish Care overall were “extraordinary”.

The guest speaker was designer and humanitarian India Hicks, who regaled guests with stories from her mother, Lady Pamela Hicks’ life, to coincide with India’s book, Lady Pamela.

Three founder members of Women of Distinction, Hannah Lewis, Lynn Lindsay and Jenifer Rosenberg, were honoured during the lunch, which succeeded in raising £85,000 for the care home.

Woman of Distinction committee with (front row, from left) Anne Conway, Glenda Collins, India Hicks and Baroness Cass (Photo: Yakir Zur)[Missing Credit]

Since its inception, the Woman of Distinction Committee has raised more than £2.5 million.

In a joint statement, Danielle Hess and Danielle Lipton, Woman of Distinction lunch co-chairs, said: “We are proud that every penny raised will go to Jewish Care’s Sidney Corob House care home. It provides unique care for those over 50 living with severe, long-term mental health needs, and for people who are finding it hard to cope in the community.

“The inspiring care team have transformed the lives of so many people, with their expertise and compassion to empower residents and ensure that within the home they have a sense of family, spirituality and community.”

Ellisa Estrin, Jewish Care’s director of fundraising and marketing, said: “Thanks to the generosity of our guests and the Woman of Distinction committee, we have raised over £2.5 million over the last 40 years.

“The £85,000 raised this year will make a real difference to the lives of our residents at Sidney Corob House care home, helping us to provide additional meaningful experiences for them.”