On 3rd January Wera Hobhouse MP was proud to present Grenville Jones with the Points of Light award. Points of Light are outstanding individual volunteers – people who are making a change in their community, and every weekday the Prime Minister recognises an inspirational volunteer with the daily Points of Light award. 

Grenville Jones, from Bath, is a choir leader who set up ‘Golden-Oldies’, a music charity that connects older people at risk of social isolation through daytime ‘singalongs’ of classic hits from the '60s and beyond.

Also known as ‘Goldies’, Grenville established the first group in 2008, having seen the positive impact that singing together can have. The group’s focus is on bringing together those who may be feeling isolated, providing a chance to socialise and make new friends, while enjoying singing.   

Grenville has grown the charity from a small collective in Bath to a charity now with over 50 session leaders, hosting over 200 monthly singalong sessions in community spaces, libraries, and church halls in England and Wales. The charity has a shop in Keynsham, and Grenville hopes to open a second charity shop in Cardiff in the future.

The charity also works with Primary Schools through their ‘BIG SING’ events and has just launched their new ‘Goldies Cymru inter-generational’ primary schools programme. Grenville is now looking to expand the charity further with more choirs in the region.

Wera Hobhouse, Grenville’s local MP for Bath, said: “I’m delighted to present this Points of Light ward to Grenville and so pleased that his terrific work in setting up ‘The Golden-Oldies’ charity has been recognised in this way. Music is so essential for our wellbeing and keeping us connected with one another, especially as we get older. Grenville Jones has created something very special with his charity, brightening up the lives of so many with a song and a smile. Congratulations Grenville!”

Grenville said: “On behalf of the Golden-Oldies Charity and the hundreds of older people whose lives are brightened by Songs & Smiles, I wish to send a huge message of thanks to you for recognising the value of our work.”