Camborne crooner Jacob Reed, 19, heads for a £5,000 national final

Most singers his age are chasing a young crowd. Jacob Reed’s audiences are usually in their 80s and 90s, and by the end of his set some of them are up on their feet.

The 19-year-old from Camborne has spent just over two years singing the classics in care homes across Cornwall, to residents in their 80s and 90s. Now he’s heading for the national final of Care Sector’s Got Talent, with a chance to win £5,000.

Residents at Cowbridge Care Home in Lostwithiel, Falmouth Court Care Home, Kenwyn Care Home in Truro, Blackwood Care Home in Camborne and Trevaylor Manor Care Home in Penzance are among those who have enjoyed his act.

Rat Pack classics and a Tom Jones finale

Jacob’s repertoire leans on some of the biggest names of the Rat Pack era. There’s Sinatra’s My Way, Dean Martin favourites and Nat King Cole classics, alongside songs made famous by Elvis Presley and Tom Jones.

Residents often sing along. Plenty get up and dance.

“It’s a very rewarding job making the residents happy,” Jacob says. “They love singing along and often get up and dance.

“I get most requests for Tom Jones and like to do a bit of an impression of him. I always end my act with Delilah, which always goes down a storm. Afterwards the residents come up and tell me how lovely I am and how good my voice is. It makes me feel good about what I do.”

From a school band to the national stage

At 19, Jacob is considerably younger than most of the people he sings for. But he says performing for older audiences has become a big part of his musical journey.

It started when he joined a school band as part of his GCSE music course. He has since set his sights on a career in music, and has already applied to The Voice and Britain’s Got Talent. He is waiting to hear back from Britain’s Got Talent about a possible application for 2027.

“I can’t believe I’m actually a finalist in the competition,” he says. “I’m starting to get excited. It’s still good to keep some of the nerves ahead of the big night.”

What Care Sector’s Got Talent is

The annual competition, run by Championing Social Care, celebrates the talent, creativity and personality of people working and living in social care.

Eight finalists will take part in the Grand Final, with acts ranging from singing and comedy to rapping, musical performance and dance. They come from right across social care, from people who live in supported accommodation and attend specialist services to those who provide care and support every day.

Angela Boxall, Co-Chair of Care Sector’s Got Talent, says: “Care Sector’s Got Talent is all about celebrating the people behind social care and showing the hidden talents, passions, humour and individuality that exists across our sector. Jacob is a great example of that, and I can’t wait to see him take to the stage and dazzle us with his voice.”

When and where to watch

Jacob will perform in front of an audience of 500 people at the Grand Final, held at Care Show Birmingham at the NEC Birmingham next Wednesday (7 October).

Tickets are available from Eventbrite and are free for care and healthcare professionals. Care Show Birmingham itself is free for care and healthcare professionals too, and you can register for Care Show Birmingham here.

Can’t make it to Birmingham? The full final will be broadcast on the Care Sector’s Got Talent YouTube channel on Friday 9 October at 2.30pm, so care homes across the UK can watch along. Expect Delilah to get an airing somewhere.