Golden-Oldies Charity, founded by Swindonian Grenville Jones, brought songs and smiles to hundreds of older isolated people across the South of England over the Christmas period.
Deputy Mayor Councillor Fay Howard joined the celebrations on December 5 at the Coleview Community Centre.
The event brough joy to many with some raucous singing and line dancing, as well a wonderful performance from Covingham Park Primary School lead, Jo Crabbe.
During November and December 2024, the charity hosted a fantastic eight county-wide Christmas BIG SINGs across Southwest and Southeast England from their team based in the South West.
Across South West England and in South Wales, 35 Primary Schools and 750 young people joined together with older people in Christmas celebration. All this was made possible with the support of the Julia Rausing Trust.
Goldies Founder, Grenville Jones, said: “At Goldies we know that Christmas is not everyone’s favourite time of year, for many it’s a reminder of loss and isolation. This is why we make an extra special effort every year to bring as many isolated people as possible together for fun and laughter.
"Our special daytime events entertain and delight with old friends and new. organised Christmas events to celebrate at Christmas and provide events to look forward to. This is what Goldies is all about.
“Where possible, we provided free transport and a full afternoon of entertainment for over 1,000 people, 2000 cups of tea were served along with sandwiches, cake and a multitude of mince pies. We sang, danced and smiled our way through the festive season.
“Our thanks go to Swindon Borough Council for supporting our work across the area. As always Swindon had a huge raffle with prizes donated from participants and local businesses throughout the year.
“These events could only have taken place with the amazing support of the Edward Gostling Foundation, the Garfield Weston Foundation, the Julia Rausing Trust, the National Lottery, the People’s Postcode Lottery and Swindon Borough Council.
“We will be continuing our Primary School events throughout 2025.”
The Charity was launched in 2007 with just a handful of daytime FUN Sing&Smile sessions in and around the Bath area, all taken by founder Grenville. Now there are over 170 across England and Wales with 48 freelance session leaders and 100’s attending.
Jaine Thorne takes Goldies sessions in and around Somerset. Last week she received an email from the daughter of an older gentleman who regularly attends one of her sessions. it read: “Before dad came to Goldies, he had forgotten how to enjoy most of his songs and it was coming to your wonderful sessions, the endless encouragement, your joy and upliftment of my Dad, and continual support that brought it all flooding back to him. It was you who made music happen for him again.
“I can't thank you enough and I've got tears in my eyes as I'm writing this. Music is the most amazing gift for all of us, but especially people with dementia. You brought joy and the light of life back to my Dad and I'll be forever grateful to you.”
If you are interested in joining one of the Goldies Sing&Smile sessions, becoming a Goldies Leader, starting Goldies up in your area or for more information please visit the website at Goldies
Contact the office on 01761 470006 or email [email protected]
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