A charity that reaches out to older vulnerable people through music and singing is taking off across Andover and the Test Valley area.
The Golden-Oldies Charity started life in Bath eight years ago with just four daytime singing and activity sessions in sheltered housing community rooms. The singing sessions use the popular songs from the 1950s onwards and encourage people, not only to sing, but to get up and dance, move in their chairs or just tap their feet.
The Charity has developed across England and Wales in the last 8 years and there are now over 40 Session Leaders taking 120 sessions. For many attending ‘Goldies’, as it has become known, is the only time when they join together with the companionship of other people.
One elderly lady who attends the Lion Oak Court Goldies session in Andover said “I am now confined to my wheelchair and frightened of going out into town so my trips are very few and far between. The Goldies session every month here at Lion Oak Court taken by our lovely Sonia is such an important time for me. We sing, laugh, have a cup of tea together and it really is the most special time for me.”
Goldies in Andover works closely with Test Valley Borough Council and sessions now take place at Lion Oak Court and King Arthur’s Way in Andover, Clanville Coronation Hall and Lockerley Village Hall.
Test Valley Borough Council Community and Leisure Portfolio Holder, Councillor Tony Ward, said: “The Council presented the Golden-Oldies with a grant of £1,500 last year so it is great to see that the project has gone from strength to strength over the past 12 months. Our community team has been working hard to support the Golden-Oldies to expand its services across the borough so that as many older vulnerable people can benefit from the sessions as possible.”
Sessions take place at Lockerley Village hall on the Last Monday of each month from 11am-12 noon; Clanville Coronation Hall on the First Tuesday of each month from 2.00pm-3.00pm; Lion Oak Court Community Room on the Last Tuesday of each month from 2.30pm-3.30pm; King Arthur’s Way on various Wednesday afternoons from 3.00pm-4.00pm. Please check www.golden-oldies.org.uk for more details.
