A very special Christmas party took place at the Bath Pavilion on Friday afternoon, encouraging local elderly people to get singing.
It was organised by the Goldies charity and 150 elderly people from the charity’s activity and singing sessions in and around Bath attended.
The party celebrated a new partnership for the Goldies Charity with local organisation Bluebird Care, winner of the South West Franchise of the year 2012/2013.
Bluebird Care provides care and support to older and disabled people in their own homes across Bath and North East Somerset.
Tim Rowland-Jones, Managing Director of Bluebird Care, Bath & North East Somerset, said: “We are delighted to have built an association with the Golden Oldies Charity as they completely share the values we hold dear, namely supporting vulnerable people in the community.”
“We have seen the amazing development of Goldies across South West England in recent years. From very small beginnings here in Bath, Goldies now reaches out to brighten the lives of hundreds of lonely people.
“Through our day to day work we have first-hand experience of the increasing issue of loneliness. It is one of the major issues in society and Goldies is certainly making a difference to lonely lives.
“We are delighted to be supporting Goldies growth in Bath and North East Somerset, North Somerset and South Gloucester in the months ahead by supporting the costs of their new publicity and information materials.”
Dr Jenny Smerdon, Goldies Chair of Trustees, said: “We are determined to take Goldies forward in the years ahead with the introduction of more monthly activity and singing sessions.
“We are delighted that Bluebird Care is helping us to spread the Goldies word and underlines once again the fantastic support we receive from local organisations.
“Bluebird Care have also helped us with the Christmas party this year and we were able to provide community transport through donations by Wessex Water and St John’s Hospital.
“I must also give a big thank you to Mike Plows who, without question, is our very special Goldies Father Christmas.
“Mike is Involve Network Development Manager at Bath & North East Somerset Volunteer Centre and has been responsible for getting many local shops and businesses to give food and presents for our party today.”