A CHARITY which before lockdown was staging singing and activity sessions for older people across the Keighley district has increased its online offering. Goldies, like many other groups, had to halt live meetings at the start of the pandemic last year and instead switch to the web. Now, with increased emphasis on people’s health and wellbeing, it has expanded its online content to include gentle chair-exercise at home. Rachel Parry leads weekly, Tuesday-morning sessions. She said: “We feature different subjects each Tuesday. “We have had a fantastic response from older folk. “Many age-related organisations, local authorities and town councils promote the sessions.
THE Goldies Cymru charity is increasing its online content to include gentle exercise at home as coronavirus lockdown in Wales puts an even greater emphasis on the isolation and wellbeing of older people, Older People’s Commissioner for Wales, Heléna Herklots, said: “Keeping active is really important for older people’s well-being and helps them to stay healthy and independent. But the pandemic has meant that many of the usual opportunities for older people to keep active have been lost. “So I’m really pleased to see that Goldies Cymru is working in partnership with NHS Wales to deliver a series of gentle chair-based exercise sessions that will help older people to get moving safely at home throughout the winter weeks ahead.”
SO many people will be missing their traditional carol concert or service this year. However, Christmas music and those well-loved carols can be enjoyed in the comfort of your own home with a warm invitation from the Golden Oldies Charity. Goldies, as it is fondly known, was forced to cancel its daytime fun singalong sessions - in locations including Tenby, Hubberston, Crymych, Newcastle Emlyn and Cardigan - due to the coronavirus pandemic in March. It then launched its online sessions, which developed to become twice-weekly, led by Rachel Parry and Cheryl Davies, two of the popular Goldies session leaders. They have been working together to prepare a special Christmas concert which will be available for everyone to enjoy from 11am on Christmas Eve, tomorrow, Thursday December 24.