​PRESS RELEASE
Monday 22 February 2016
 
Share your singing talents
 
A charity that addresses isolation and loneliness through fun singing to older people in and around Taunton wants to find a bright new session leader to take its daytime groups.
 
Golden-Oldies, or Goldies as it has become fondly known, started in the Bath area 9 years ago led by choir leader Grenville Jones. From the original four sessions it now runs them at over 140 community rooms, church halls and libraries across the South West and South Wales. Sir Cliff Richard is the patron.
 
In Somerset there are monthly sessions at Chard, Yeovil, Taunton, Ilminster and Bridgewater.
 
Grenville Jones explains:
 
“Goldies is NOT a choir but a big personality and available daytime is vital from our session leaders. Also, most importantly, an understanding of how our small charity is brightening lives and wanting to be a part of that work.”
 
Our Charity knows that for many, attending is the only time some older people meet with others. The songs at the sessions are well known memory evoking hits of the 50s and onwards. A recent top twenty choice from the hundreds of older folk who attend voted Petula Clarke as their Goldies Top of the Pops.
 
The Session Leaders are paid per session and travel costs are covered. Local people who would like to know more are asked to please call Abby on 01761 470006 or email [email protected] 
 
For more information about Goldies, please see www.golden-oldies.org.uk
 
ENDS

Press enquiries to Grenville Jones on 0777 828 2934.

PRESS RELEASE
Friday, February 5th, 2016

Goldies is developing its daytime singing and activity sessions across Somerset with recent new locations in Bridgwater and Taunton.  The Bridgwater session is a closed session held at the Victoria Park Community Centre as part of the activities for the Bluebird Care Day Centre and the Taunton session is open access and held at the Priorswood Community Centre on Eastwick Road, Taunton. 

Goldies hopes to find a locally based enthusiastic Session Leader for these new groups. You don’t have to be a choir conductor but a BIG personality and a strong singing voice will help. Abby Rakes would love to hear from you so she can tell you about the freelance fee we pay Session Leaders and much more about how Goldies is making a big impression across England and Wales on the lives of lonely isolated people. You can email Abby - [email protected] or call 01761 470006.

ENDS

PRESS RELEASE
 
SINGING on PRESCRIPTION
 
The founder of a charity that is addressing loneliness through songs and smiles has responded to a report by senior doctors calling for urgent attention to, ‘the rising phenomenon of loneliness amongst older people’.
 
West Country music man Grenville Jones started his daytime fun singing sessions for older isolated people at four community rooms 9 years ago. The Golden-Oldies Charity, more fondly referred to as ‘Goldies’ and with Sir Cliff Richard as patron, now runs over 140 sessions across England and Wales. Thousands attend the sessions including adults with learning difficulties and dementia.
 
In the report published yesterday Professor Keith Willett, Director for Acute Care NHS England said;
 
“The consequences of loneliness among lonely people are increasing with an unremitting demand on health care which will ultimately cripple the NHS.”
 
Goldies founder Grenville Jones cites regular testimonies from the 40 freelance session leaders who run his charity’s fun sing and smile sessions across the UK.
 
“Hardly a day goes by without a call from one of our leaders telling me that our sessions really are making a difference to lonely lives. Goldies is NOT a choir, it’s quite simple really, all we do is encourage people who are isolated to get out, to be with others and to make new friends through singing and stretching.”
 
In recent months the charity has developed its work across Essex, Staffordshire, Yorkshire and under the Goldies Cymru banner many new sessions have been added in South Wales.
 
In Cardiff there are now hugely successful Goldies singing sessions held at five libraries.
 
In Uttoxeter local pharmacist Tim Haynes puts out information about Goldies sessions in his town in his prescription bags to the over 60s in his area.
 
“The Trustees of our small charity want to increase our work and impact across the United Kingdom in the months and years ahead and there is a very simple message to GPs and everyone who is delivering acute care in the NHS.
 
“Singing should be on prescription.”
 
www.golden-oldies.org.uk
 
 
ENDS
 
Image shows songs and smiles at a Cardiff Goldies Cymru session.
 
Press enquiries to Grenville Jones on 07778 282934
[email protected]

PRESS RELEASE
 
Tuesday 2 February 2015
 
Share your singing talents
 
A charity that addresses isolation and loneliness through fun singing to older people in Weston wants to find a bright new session leader to take its long established daytime groups.
 
Golden-Oldies started in the Bath area 9 years ago led by respected choir leader Grenville Jones. From the original four sessions it now runs them at over 140 community rooms, church halls and libraries across the South West and South Wales. Sir Cliff Richard is the patron.
 
The Weston sessions are at Martindale Court Community Room, Martindale Road which has been running for over 7 years and The Badger Centre which started in February takes place every last Tuesday of the month from 1.45pm.
 
Grenville Jones explains:
 
“Our brilliant local Session Leader has left us for a full time position as a drama teacher so we really do need to find someone to take these well-attended and much loved sessions. Goldies is NOT a choir but a big personality and available daytime is vital. Also, most importantly, an understanding of how our small charity is brightening lives and wanting to be a part of that.”
 
Goldies knows that for many, attending is the only time some older people meet with others. The songs at the sessions are well known memory evoking hits of the 50s and onwards. A recent top twenty choice from the hundreds of older folk who attend voted Petula Clarke as their Goldies Top of the Pops.
 
The Session Leaders are paid per session and travel costs are covered. Local people who would like to know more are asked to call Abby on 01761 470006 or email [email protected]
 
For more information about Goldies, please see www.golden-oldies.org.uk
 
ENDS
 
Call Grenville on 0777 828 2934.