The Westfield-based Golden Oldies charity, which brightens the lives of hundreds of older, lonely and isolated people across England and Wales, is getting ready to launch its first charity shop in Keynsham High Street – but it needs your help to fill it!
From just four sessions in and around the Bath and North East Somerset area back in 2008, the charity has grown from strength to strength and now delivers over 140 singing sessions each month across the South West of England and Wales. As Goldies has spread, so have the locations which now vary from church halls, clubs for elderly folk, community centres, churches and sheltered housing rooms.
The Goldies Shop in Keynsham is planned to open in March. The charity is working in partnership with Dorothy House Hospice Care, another unique partnership arrangement.
Donations of children’s clothes, men’s and ladies’ clothing, shoes, toys, books, CDs, DVDs, records, bric-a-brac, linen and homeware are all welcomed. It is requested that goods be in saleable condition and items can be dropped in to the charity’s Head Office at Unit 7, Fourth Avenue, Westfield Industrial Estate.
Golden Oldies can also claim back a further 25% on sold items if people are willing to complete a Gift Aid form. These can be completed at the time of donation.
The Charity shop will be different from others in that it will feature an authentic jukebox with songs from the 50s, 60s and 70s and people will be able to choose their favourite songs upon entering the shop.
Goldies also have permission to use a knitting pattern to knit ‘Goldies Hats’. If anyone would like to knit for charity, they are asked to get in touch with the office for more information.
Founder, Grenville Jones, said: “If we can reach out to hundreds of people with our existing popular sessions, there is no reason at all to assume that if we could gain the necessary financial support, we could brighten the lives of thousands upon thousands of lonely people across the whole of the United Kingdom.”
Sessions take place locally in Midsomer Norton, Welton, Westfield, Peasedown St John and Timsbury. For further information about where your local sessions take place, visit: www.golden-oldies.org.uk or telephone: 01761 470006.