The Big
Lottery Wales has awarded a three year grant of £149,000 to a music charity
based in Bath.
The Golden-Oldies
was founded in 2007 by, local musician and choir leader, Grenville Jones. The charity has already brightened up the lives of many elderly and lonely people, and has
recently opened its doors to people with learning difficulties, dementia, and
Down's syndrome.
In 2011,
Sir Cliff Richard agreed to be their patron and he continues in that role to
this day, "Goldies really is the smile charity," said the singer.
"Goldies is not a choir, but we do use the music to encourage people to
get out and meet with others and have fun together through singing. Everyone is
welcome and our sessions are attended by elderly people as well as those with
learning difficulties, dementia and Alzheimer’s."
The Big
Lottery Grant will be used to fund the introduction of a further 26 singing and
activity sessions, and to help develop the Golden Oldies' award-winning Time
after Time intergenerational programme.
"This
wonderful support from The Big Lottery Wales means that by the end of 2016 we
could be running at least 50 of our Goldies sessions across South Wales. That
equates to many, many smiling faces," said Grenville Jones.
Each year
the Big Lottery distributes 40% of the money the UK National Lottery set aside for good causes. The money is used to provide assistance to community groups
and projects that are believed to have a positive impact on health, education,
and the environment.
