Sixties pop sensation sings praises of Jewish Care - The Jewish Chronicle

Glenda Collins spent the 1960s being invited to John Lennon’s parties, touring Scandinavia with Cliff Richard and being the cover star of the Evening Standard.

Now, the former pop star credits Jewish Care with her most recent life-changing experience, telling guests at a fundraiser how moving into one of the charity’s residential units gave her her life back after years of mental health struggles.

Collins was speaking at an event hosted by newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky in aid of Sidney Corob House, a Jewish Care residential home supporting people over 50-years-old with mental health needs.

Reminiscing about her incredible rise to fame as a 16-year-old, Collins spoke of how she went from performing at a bar mitzvah to being signed by Decca records. “I was introduced to the independent record producer Joe Meek. I recorded Lollipop with him – it was a big song and a big success.”

She went on to appear on Jukebox Jury with Brian Epstein and Cilla Black, flew to Ireland to appear on TV with Shirley Bassey, and went on tour in Scandinavia with Cliff Richard and The Shadows. “The ’60s was an amazing time!” the former star recollected.

Glenda Collins holds a promotional copy of her new HMV single record 'Johnny Loves Me' at a press reception in London in 1965. (Photo: Getty)Getty Images

In recent years, Collins’ mental health began to decline, a deterioration made worse by her living alone. It was around five years ago when she decided to move into Sidney Corob House to improve her situation. “Being around people who talk to me and support me has really helped me. I feel I’ve got my life back,” she said.

Collins’ new friends at the residential home didn’t initially know much about her star-studded history, but then her record producer got in touch about making a second album in 2022.

She went straight to the mental health services registered manager at Sidney Corob House, Sandra Saintus, to ask her for a favour. “I spoke to Sandra, and, with her support, we recorded it at Sidney Corob House,” said Collins.

To celebrate the release of her second album, Second Chance, Saintus arranged for Sidney Corob residents to go on a West End tour in a pink limo, an excursion made possible with the support of the Friends of Sidney Corob House Committee.

Kaplinsky praised Collins’ “superstar” resilience and urged guests to support Jewish Care’s work. “Mental health is at the forefront of our minds now – it’s so important to talk about it and to donate,” she said, “I’m so pleased to support Jewish Care and the work of caring staff like Sandra, who support the residents at Sidney Corob House.”

Jewish Care’s Sidney Corob House, together with Jack Gardner House, supports members of the community with long-term mental health conditions, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, personality disorders and clinical depression. Some residents also have learning or physical disabilities.

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Topics:

Jewish Care

Mental health

Sidney Corob House