PRESS RELEASE
Thursday 18 February 2021
 
St David’s Day launch for Goldies Cymru singing online in Welsh
 
A new online singing session in Welsh will be the next development from the Goldies Cymru Charity.
 
When Covid forced closure of all live daytime sessions across South Wales, the Charity’s positive response was to go online with regular www.goldieslive.com fun Sing&Smile sessions last Spring. These then grew to be twice weekly at 11am on Tuesdays and Thursdays taken by two popular Goldies Cymru session leaders, Rachel Parry and Cheryl Davies.
 
Grenville Jones is the Goldies founder. He said;
 
“Our Charity brings joy to older isolated people through good old-fashioned fun singalongs. If our work was important prior to Lockdown then the added increase of isolation makes our work vital. Older folk obviously could not attend any more our 60 daytime sessions across Wales and so we took our sessions to them in their front rooms, Sing&Smile on your sofa!”
 
Through last year sessions developed with the introduction of screen words, Bollywood songs and inserted public health information videos and gentle chair exercise. Many age-support organisations and residential homes have promoted the twice weekly www.goldieslive.com sessions that are available on YouTube and Facebook.
 
On Monday March 1, St David’s Day, Goldies Cymru will introduce new monthly sessions in the Welsh language, taken by Sian Francis, accessible from 11am. These have been made possible by the support of the Moondance Foundation.
 
Sian was born in the South Wales valleys and now lives in Cardiff with her husband and two children. She has had a love for music since an early ago and grew up competing in Eisteddfodau and in local musical theatre productions. Later in life she went on to complete a BMus from Goldsmiths University where she studied Classical Music and Opera. She also spent many years working as an entertainer onboard cruise liners. 
 
She has a passion for Welsh language music and is very excited to start her sessions with Goldies. 
 
Sian said;
 
“I’m looking forward to singing with older people across Wales and over the months ahead I will be using some of our wonderful Welsh melodies as well as introducing some new ones.
 
“Please join me on St David’s Day.”
 
ENDS…
 
OUR photo shows Sian Francis.
 
Press enquiries to Rachel Parry, Programme Leader for Goldies Cymru, call 07796 714816 or email rachel@goldiescymru.org.uk 

PRESS RELEASE
 
Monday 7 December 2020
 
A Christmas Carol Celebration in your home
 
Across the UK so many people will miss their traditional Carol Concert or Service. However Christmas music and those well-loved carols can be enjoyed in the comfort of your own home with a warm invitation from the Golden-Oldies Charity.
 
‘Goldies’, as it is fondly known, was forced to cancel its daytime FUN singalong sessions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic in March. It then launched its online sessions which developed to become twice-weekly led by Rachel Parry and Cheryl Davies, two of the popular Goldies session leaders.
 
They have been working together to prepare a very special Christmas concert which will be available for everyone to enjoy from 11am on Thursday December 24 – Christmas Eve – it will include popular Christmas pieces as well as lots of inserted messages from session leaders across England and Wales as well as a performance from children of Llanedeyrn Primary School.
 
Grenville Jones is Founder of Goldies, he said;
 
“The service will be easy to find on YouTube and clearly shown on www.goldieslive.com from 11am on Christmas Eve. And, of course, anyone can then go back and re-watch the broadcast at any time perhaps with family and friends. The song words will be printed on screen so we hope that people will put on their Christmas jumpers, wear their Christmas hats and as the song words will be printed on screen there is no excuse not to join in.”
 
GoldiesLive sessions go out every Tuesday and Thursday and the Charity has plans to develop and continue these through the Winter months and on into 2021.
 
A Happy ‘Goldies’ Christmas to everyone.
 
Hear our special guests, the children of Llanedeyrn Primary School Choir singing for our Christmas Celebration www.goldieslive.com
 
ENDS
 
Picture shows children of the Llanedeyrn Primary School Choir singing for our Christmas Celebration.
 
Press enquiries to Grenville Jones on 07778 282934.
 

PRESS RELEASE
 
Thursday 12 November 2020
 
Goldies SOFA songs hit the right note
 
Older isolated people across England and Wales are singing on their sofas every week with the Golden-Oldies Charity.
 
“Goldies” as it is more fondly known, was forced by Covid to cancel all of its 220 FUN daytime Sing & Smile sessions back in March. Within weeks the Charity introduced online singing with its popular formula of 60s hits and sessions shared by Rachel Parry and Cheryl Davies, two of the charity’s popular session leaders in Wales. 
 
Grenville Jones, Goldies founder takes up the story:
 
“The response was immediate and in July we were able to get funding to increase to twice weekly sessions. Rachel going live every Tuesday and Cheryl leading the singalongs every Thursday.”
 
As the sessions have progressed, they have been supported, promoted and followed by many other Age-Related organisations across England and Wales. 
 
The Tuesday sessions with Rachel now take a more magazine-style approach with inserted public health information videos and ‘appearances’ from many of the session leaders who previously delivered the daytime sessions. 
 
With a designated website www.goldieslive.com the pre-recorded sessions go live on YouTube and on Facebook every week where they can, of course, be revisited at any time. There is feedback every week from across the UK. 
 
Mary Tamburella sent one of the many, many comments received in recent weeks. 
 
“Thank you, I really do love the sessions. My sister in law lives with me. She has dementia and I play them to her most nights before bed.”
 
Grenville adds;
 
“If Goldies was important to lonely older isolated people prior to Covid, then now our work is even more vital to combat isolation and well-being, reaching out to those who are vulnerable and stuck at home.” 
 
With Christmas on the horizon Rachel and Cheryl are currently working towards a very special Christmas Carol Concert which will be broadcast the Wednesday prior to Christmas Day. It will include popular carols and special performances for everyone to enjoy at home.
 
Even in Lockdown everyone can enjoy a Goldies Christmas.
 
ENDS
 
All enquiries to Grenville Jones 0777 828 2934
 
Pictured - Rachel and Cheryl “Bring Me Sunshine”
​

PRESS RELEASE
 
Monday 8 September 2020
 
Daytime Sing & Smile sessions for the Golden-Oldies Charity are a big hit with hundreds of older people living across Warminster. Following the enforced closure of all sessions in March the charity introduced twice weekly sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays led by Rachel Parry and Cheryl Davies – two of the Goldies session leaders. 
 
Based on the successful Goldies formula, the online sessions feature the popular memory evoking songs of the 60s and onwards with words on screen and the ability to enjoy at home through the freely accessible YouTube recordings.
 
On Tuesday September 22 the afternoon session, led by Rachel, will include an ‘appearance’ by Katy Horner. Katy is one of the popular leaders of the Goldies sessions in Warminster and she will be sending a personal message to all of the folk who enjoy and participate in her sessions, prior to lockdown.
 
Said Katy;
 
“We are all looking forward to, and hoping that one day soon, our daytime sessions across the area will start again and I know from so many personal messages that songs and smiles are being missed by so many people.
 
“Through the online twice weekly sessions we are trying to bridge that gap and I was delighted to contribute to Rachel’s fun ‘sofa sing’ on Tuesday 22.”
 
See www.goldieslive.com and click on the link to our Goldies YouTube Channel.
 
ENDS
 
Press enquiries to Rachel Parry, Programme Leader Goldies Cymru, 07796 714816.

PRESS RELEASE
 
Tuesday 1 September 2020
 
Daytime Sing & Smile sessions for the Golden-Oldies Charity are a big hit with hundreds of older people living across Exeter. Following the enforced closure of all sessions in March the charity introduced twice weekly sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays led by Rachel Parry and Cheryl Davies – two of the Goldies session leaders. 
 
Based on the successful Goldies formula, the online sessions feature the popular memory evoking songs of the 60s and onwards with words on screen and the ability to enjoy at home through the freely accessible YouTube recordings.
 
On Tuesday September 15 afternoon session, led by Rachel, will include an ‘appearance’ by Mark Hansford. Mark is one of the popular leaders of the Goldies sessions across Exeter and he will be sending a personal message to all of the folk who enjoy and participate in his sessions, prior to lockdown.
 
Said Mark;
 
“We are all looking forward to, and hoping that one day soon, our daytime sessions across the area will start again and I know from so many personal messages that songs and smiles are being missed by so many people.
 
“Through the online twice weekly sessions we are trying to bridge that gap and I was delighted to contribute to Rachel’s fun ‘sofa sing’ on Tuesday 15.”
 
See www.goldieslive.com and click on the link to our Goldies YouTube Channel.
 
ENDS
 
Press enquiries to Rachel Parry, Programme Leader Goldies Cymru, 07796 714816.

​PRESS RELEASE
 
Wednesday, July 29, 2020
 
Daytime Sing & Smile sessions for the Golden-Oldies Charity are a big hit with hundreds of older people living across Essex. Following the enforced closure of all sessions in March the charity introduced twice weekly sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays led by Rachel Parry and Cheryl Davies – two of the Goldies session leaders.
 
Based on the successful Goldies formula, the online sessions feature the popular memory evoking songs of the 60s and onwards with words on screen and the ability to enjoy at home through the freely accessible YouTube recordings.
 
Next Tuesday’s afternoon session, led by Rachel, will include an ‘appearance’ by Ray Mound. Ray is one of the popular leaders of the Goldies sessions across Essex and he will be sending a personal message to all of the folk who enjoy and participate in his sessions, prior to lockdown.
 
Said Ray;
 
“We are all looking forward to, and hoping that one day soon, our daytime sessions across the County will start again and I know from so many personal messages that songs and smiles are being missed by so many people.
 
“Through the online twice weekly sessions we are trying to bridge that gap and I was delighted to contribute to Rachel’s fun ‘sofa sing’ next Tuesday.”
 
See www.goldieslive.com and click on the link to our Goldies YouTube Channel.
 
ENDS
 
Press enquiries to Rachel Parry, Programme Leader Goldies Cymru, 07796 714816.
 

​PRESS RELEASE
 
Thursday 25 June 2020
 
Introducing    Goldieslive.com
 
Call Grenville Jones on 0777 828 2934
 
Thousands of older isolated people looked forward to their regular daytime SINGALONG sessions from the Goldies (Golden-Oldies) Charity. The FUN memory-evoking sessions using the popular songs of the 60s onwards took place at 220 church halls, community rooms and Libraries across England and Wales. 
 
These included the West of England, the Midlands, Essex, East London, Yorkshire and across South Wales. They were led by 70 dedicated local leaders.
 
For England session venues – see https://www.golden-oldies.org.uk/where.html
 
For Wales session venues – see https://www.goldiescymru.org.uk/eng/where
 
Forced by Coronavirus to cancel all sessions in March, the Goldies Charity then introduced a short Thursday afternoon weekly session on YouTube led by session leaders, Rachel Parry and Cheryl Davies from their front rooms.
 
Such was the success of these Online sessions with people joining in their homes, that the charity is now going to introduce TWO thirty-minute sessions each week from the end of June and the first week in July. These will go out on YouTube every Tuesday and Thursday on www.goldieslive.com at 11.00am.
 
Starting next Tuesday June 30th at 11.00am.
 
The sessions are supported by the Cardiff-based Moondance Foundation, The People’s Postcode Lottery,  the Garfield Weston Foundation, Sovereign Housing Association, Swindon Borough Council, the Charles Hayward Foundation and the Medlock Charitable Trust.
 
They will continue to be led by Rachel and Cheryl but also with input ‘appearances’ from the Goldies session leaders across England and Wales. There will also be specific sessions with Welsh songs, as well as sessions particularly for those living with Dementia and sessions featuring Bollywood music and dance.
 
Grenville Jones is the founder of the Golden-Oldies Charity which he started back in 2007 with just four daytime sessions in and around Bath and Bristol. He said;
 
“Goldies reaches out to older isolated people who, prior to Lockdown could get out and attend luncheon clubs, worship, the company of their friends and families and Goldies! This has dramatically changed as people are housebound and so the need for our work is even greater.”
 
The sessions prior to Lockdown, feature the popular memory-evoking songs of the 60s onwards, many chosen by the attendees.  Goldieslive  online sessions will feature all the favourites with song words on the screen and ‘viewers’ encouraged to contact the charity with their birthday and anniversary choices.
 
All UK Age-Support organisations will be able to stream the weekly sessions in their community rooms and Libraries.
 
“We have become known as the Sing and Smile charity and we hope that through goldieslive.com we can bring joy and fun into thousands of front rooms across the UK,” said Grenville.
 
ENDS
 
Press enquiries to Grenville Jones on 07778 282934.
 

​PRESS RELEASE
 Thursday 30 April 2020
 
Goldies SOFA SINGING online success .. 
 
Thursday daytime online singing sessions from the Goldies Cymru Charity are proving to be a big hit.
  


After the lockdown Goldies leaders in South Wales, Rachel Parry and Cheryl Davies, decided that they would make every Thursday special for the older folk across South Wales who could not attend their daytime singing sessions for the time being by introducing a weekly online singalong.
  
They take place every Thursday at 2.30pm either from Cheryl’s home near Swansea or Rachel’s front room near Cardiff.
  
Rachel is the programme leader for Goldies Cymru across Wales, she said;
  
“We’ve had some fabulous feedback and sofa singalongs are now the norm on Thursdays!”
  
John got in touch to tell us ; 
 
"So proud to be a supporter of Goldies Cymru.  Goldies Cymru ‘Sing and Smile’ moments keep me going while the lockdown continues. Missing all my Goldies friends so thanks to Goldies for sharing all these lovely songs with us online.”
 
They go out on the Goldies Cymru Facebook pages, the charity website and on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/user/UKgoldies        https://www.facebook.com/goldiesuk/
 
We also had a call from Diane, added Cheryl ;
 
“Mike and I had a sitting room bop along to Achy Breaky Heart and Sweet Caroline. We are sending our best wishes and thank you for the music Goldies, and for thinking of us.”
 
Margaret sent a message to say; 
 
“Thank you for bringing Goldies to us in our homes, it was lovely to hear my husband singing along to it. We so miss our music and our social groups. Thank you.”
  
Hundreds are tuning in every Thursday to sing along to the hits of the 60s and onwards and Rachel and Cheryl alternate each week on who takes the session. Last week Cheryl’s dog Ripley, a Cockapoo, even got in on the act.
 
“At one stage during the sing along I told the folks it was time to pause (paws!)  and in wandered Ripley!” said Cheryl.
  
Grenville Jones is the Goldies founder. He started the Charity 13 years ago with just four sessions in the West of England. There are now over 220 at various venues – community rooms, church halls and libraries across England and Wales. He said;
  
“Rachel and Cheryl are brilliant and we are now getting lots of requests from across England and Wales as our session leaders tell their ‘Goldies’ all about the Thursday Goldies lunchtime singalong.”
 
www.golden-oldies.org.uk      www.goldiescymru.org.uk
ENDS ….
  
Caption : It’s Thursday and here’s Rachel Parry in action.
  
Contact Rachel Parry on 07796 714816 or Cheryl Davies on 07860 944410….
 
Contact - Grenville Jones on 07778 282934.
 

PRESS RELEASE
 
Tuesday, March 31, 2020
 
Singing leaders from the much-loved Goldies Charity are keeping in regular touch across England and Wales with hundreds of isolated lonely people.
 
Goldies was forced to cancel all its 220 sessions last month but in maintaining contact with its older folk through a variety of online options. The charity (better known simply as Goldies) started 13 years ago and has a huge reputation for the Songs&Smiles it brings to brighten lonely lives.
 
The Online Mini Sing&Smile Sessions are led by Rachel Parry and Cheryl Davies who are based in South Wales but the sessions are being accessed by Goldies from across England and Wales.
 
A regular Thursday 2.30pm online session is receiving thousands of views plus many favorable comments from older people in their homes. The Goldies sing the popular hits of the 60s and onwards and the regular weekly sing-alongs include all the much-loved melodies that form an integral part of our sessions.
 
“We have been staggered by the response and we know that the family members of our Goldies are spreading the word to try and do our bit to reduce the loneliness in these very difficult times,” said Rachel Parry.
 
View the mini Sing&Smile sessions on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/user/UKgoldies... Rachel and Cheryl will also try and take requests if you want to send a message via Facebook www.facebook.com/goldiesuk or www.facebook.com/goldiescymru
 
Both Rachel and Cheryl can be contacted easily by email on rachel@goldiescymru.org.uk or cheryl@goldiescymru.org.uk. The Charity is planning to extend the regular sessions in the weeks and months ahead looking forward to the day when Goldies starts back again in a community room, church hall or library near you.
 
Find out more information here:
www.facebook.com/goldiesuk     www.facebook.com/goldiescymru
and keep up to date with important news as it gets announced at our website;
www.golden-oldies.org.uk     www.goldiescymru.org.uk
 
ENDS
 
Press enquiries to Goldies Cymru Programme Leader Rachel Parry on 07796 714816.

PRESS NOTICE .. Coronavirus
 
Wednesday 11 March 2020
 
THE Golden-Oldies Charity “Goldies” has cancelled all daytime SING&SMILE sessions across England and Wales for the next five weeks because of the Coronavirus COVID-19.
 
The charity, based in Bath, runs its popular FUN sessions for older vulnerable people at over 200 venues in community rooms, church halls and libraries. Thousands attend from Yorkshire to Cornwall,  across Essex, East London, the South West Counties and South Wales as Goldies Cymru.
 
The sessions are run by 72 dedicated local freelance leaders.
 
Founder Grenville Jones said;
 
“We know that many of the people who attend our Goldies Sing&Smile sessions are over 80 and are extremely vulnerable in this current situation. Our first responsibility is to care for their wellbeing.
 
“If the situation improves, as we all hope it will, Goldies will recommence the week commencing Monday April 20th.
 
“We have  contacted all of our session leaders and all the venues. Goldies sessions bring joy and are very important to so many older people. We hope that SONGS&SMILES will soon be back .”
 
www.golden-oldies.org,uk
 
ENDS
 
……contact is Grenville on 0777 828 2934