Goldies Cymru CD

Forced by Covid to cancel all of its daytime FUN Sing&Smile sessions in 2020, the Golden-Oldies Charity took their FUN weekly singalongs online.

www.goldieslive.com

‘Sofa-singing’ introduced Wales-based Goldies session leader Cheryl Davies to a weekly audience of older people across the UK.

“Such was the popularity of Cheryl’s singing that the Charity have produced a CD of her performing some of the popular melodies which are such a hit with our older folk,” says Charity Founder Grenville Jones.

Song list – see end of release.

Many residential homes and age-support organisations live streamed the twice weekly sessions with Cheryl becoming the popular voice (and face) of ‘Goldies’, as it has become known.

The double-track CD with five popular songs from the 50s will be given to everyone now back attending and enjoying their popular sessions in Church halls, community rooms and Libraries.

“Cheryl leads the Charity’s work in Wales taking sessions. However through the CD, folk can enjoy her singing at home as well!” added Grenville. “She has a great voice and on the CD she is ‘double-tracked, so it’s a Cheryl duet!”

With support from the National Lottery, in Wales, Goldies Cymru will be introducing new sessions for people living with dementia and their carers working with Dementia Matters in Powys and the Pembrokeshire Association of Voluntary Services (PAVS) in the weeks ahead, responding to their request ‘we want Goldies sessions please in our area!”

The Golden-Oldies Charity was started by Bath-based choir leader Grenville Jones in 2007. From just four daytime sessions in community rooms, taken himself, it grew to over 200 (pre-Covid) across England and Wales (Goldies Cymru) where it is supported by the Moondance Foundation.

Sir Cliff Richard is Patron of Golden-Oldies.

As restrictions have lifted, the charity has been able to bring back its fun singalongs in community rooms, church halls and Libraries across the UK.

“It was a slow process at first,” says Grenville, “but in recent months, both in England and Wales, GOLDIES IS NOW BACK.

“The aim of the Charity is quite simple, it is to bring people together through social sessions featuring the popular hits of the 60s onwards. Provoking memories of times past and cherished thoughts. A reason to get out, meet new friends and SMILE.

“Loneliness and isolation are a major issue across communities and we are working hard to bring back our popular sessions in more areas in the months ahead. Everyone loves a good singalong!” says Grenville.

In England 65 Sing&Smile sessions have relaunched across the country, from Bradford in Yorkshire to Cornwall, with 35 planned for Wales by the close of 2022. 

Fantastic support from many organisations and Trusts have enabled the Charity to respond to the many requests for Goldies groups, meeting the demand for fun daytime social activities for older adults who have experienced isolation in the pandemic.

Included in the new sessions are the East London, Havering Asian Welfare Association, who run a traditional Sing&Smile session alongside a popular Bollywood Goldies sing and dance. Inns Court Community and Family Centre in Bristol is another new session that has started to provide an afternoon of entertainment. 

The Charity have welcomed eight new Session Leaders to their team over the last six months and are keen to recruit new Leaders. Contact Emma in the Goldies office on 01761 470006 or emma@golden-oldies.org.uk for more information about the work of the Charity.