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PRESS RELEASE
Wednesday, April 12, 2017 An award-winning charity that addresses isolation amongst the elderly through its fun daytime singalongs wants to reach out to more people across the Cheltenham area. The Golden-Oldies launched 11 years ago in and around Bath and Bristol with just four sessions. This has grown now to over 150 across South West England, South Wales, Essex The Midlands and North Yorkshire. New sessions starting in Exeter, Liverpool and Cornwall later this year will see the total reach 200. These are taken by 50 dedicated freelance session leaders. Its popular daytime singing and activity session at the Cornerstone Centre, Severn Road, started in 2014 and is led by Lizzie Figgis. The next session is from 2pm to 3pm on Tuesday April 25. The songs are the memory-evoking pop tunes of the 50s onwards, including of course the hits of Sir Cliff Richard, the Patron of Golden-Oldies. Everyone is invited to enjoy their local session at The Cornerstone Centre. Goldies, as it has become fondly known, welcomes the support of volunteers to help with tea making and other practical jobs. The people attending are older people, many who live in isolation, adults with learning difficulties and increasing numbers of people who are living with dementia. Founded by renowned West of England choir leader Grenville Jones, who is always quick to point out that Goldies is NOT about singing in a choir; “We simply try to give people something that they can look forward to each month. A reason to get out and enjoy being with others, making friends, singing and smiling. We know that for thousands, Goldies is now a very important part of their lives.” Goldies has won many awards in the past 11 years and featured in the media World-Wide. Most recently it was awarded top place in the National Voluntary Arts Awards and there has also been considerable recognition for its intergenerational programme with schools across the UK. Last word goes to Patron, Sir Cliff Richard; “Goldies has made quite remarkable progress in the last 11 years and is clearly making a big difference to so many lives.” www.golden-oldies.org.uk ENDS Grenville Jones can be contacted on 0777 828 2934.
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 PRESS RELEASE
Wednesday April 12th 2017 A Charity that is putting smiles on the faces of hundreds of older people is developing its plans to extend across Wales in the coming months. Goldies Cymru, fondly known just as ‘Goldies’, started in and around Cardiff six years ago with a small number of daytime singing and activity sessions for older people. Since that time it has grown to the point where there are now over 50 sessions taking place at Church halls, community rooms and libraries. Sessions include members of the Cardiff Institute for the Blind and members of the Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation. There are a number sessions for Adults with Learning Difficulties and for people living with dementia. At the heart of each session is the memory-evoking songs of the 50s and 60s. A song book of Welsh folk songs is very popular with everyone who attends. Last month Goldies Cymru’s work with vulnerable people was recognised when it received the Epic Award from the Voluntary Arts organisation. This was the premier award for all of Wales, Voluntary Arts represent a total of 63,000 groups across the UK. The Goldies Cymru sessions are led by dedicated freelance session leaders and with the support the Big Lottery Fund in Wales a further 50 sessions will be added across Mid and West Wales in the next three years. Sir Cliff Richard OBE is Patron of the Charity, he said; “In a very short time our ‘Goldies’ charity has really made quite remarkable progress.” The Charity works with many organisations and community groups in the delivery of its sessions. The most recent addition being at Evergreen Hall, Angel Street in Bridgend, the session is taken by Rachel Marsh on the last Wednesday of each month from 10.30am to 11.30am. Everyone is welcome. As Goldies Cymru spreads across Mid and West Wales it is keen to hear from all local age support groups, Churches and other organisations who would like to know more about hosting a Goldies session for older people in their community. The Charity is always looking for enthusiastic new session leaders and the Goldies Cymru contact is Rachel Parry on 07796 714816. Grenville Jones is the charity founder, he said; “We know that our work is brightening the lives of hundreds of older folk across Wales and we could not have achieved this without the support of the Big Lottery Fund in Wales and from Diane at the Moondance Foundation in Cardiff, who have given us magnificent support. “Alongside its sessions the charity also runs a successful schools intergenerational programme and later this year will launch a new exciting programme for primary schools based on the commemoration of the final months of World War One.” Renowned choir leader Alwyn Humphreys MBE is a Goldies Trustee and member of the creative team who are guiding the new World War One project. Dr Humphreys said; “Goldies is not a choir but the fun singing to the memory evoking songs of the past reaches out to people, many of whom have little in their lives to look forward to. “Our schools programme brings together the Young with the Young at Heart and I’m sure that many teachers will be looking out for details of our new WW1 programme which we will announce later this year.” www.golden-oldies.org.uk ENDS Picture Caption : Over 50 people regularly attend the Goldies Cymru session at Rhydypennau Library, pictured here. Press enquiries to Grenville Jones on 07778 282934 or Rachel Parry 07796 714816. EndFragment |
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