LONELINESS and isolation can affect anyone of any age.

The impact it can have on health and well-being is well documented, particularly among the elderly who tend to be more susceptible due to social changes.

Families living side by side along the same street is largely now a thing of the past. While some relatives remain within the vicinity, circumstances such as work commitments can lead relatives away to live their lives in different parts of the country, or even the world.

Those whose family no longer live close by are more susceptible to feeling lonely and isolated and that is an issue many organisations and initiatives are focusing on.

One such project is Goldies UK. Known as the Sing and Smile charity, Goldies UK launched in 2008 with the aim of reaching out to older isolated people across Southern England and Wales with its fun singing and activity sessions.

From the four sessions delivered in 2008 by the charity’s founder, Grenville Jones, in sheltered housing community rooms in the Bath area, the charity now has 30 dedicated session leaders bringing fun and enjoyment through music and singing at around 140 locations.

As yet, the north appears to be relatively untapped. Eager to explore the potential of Goldies after finding out about it through a friend, the Rev Ruth Crompton, of Silsden Methodist Church in Kirkgate, decided to get in touch.

“I think there is a lot of isolation and loneliness, particularly amongst the elderly and I know it is something at church we are concerned about and we see this as an opportunity to launch Goldies UK up in the north,” explains Mrs Crompton.

The initiative comes at an opportune time. With Britain’s increasingly ageing population and families being more dispersed than they were services for the elderly, which enable them to get out of their four walls and form new friendships, are meeting a demand now more than ever.

Mrs Crompton says the Goldies sessions are about bringing people together, giving them the opportunity to sing and have refreshments, thus helping to tackle the feelings of loneliness and isolation.

Singing brings great benefits too, according to Mrs Crompton. “Singing actually releases that sense of wellbeing in the body. It is a fun time to get together and be part of it. They play familiar music from the past, popular music,” she says.

But she emphasises it isn’t about creating a choir. “It isn’t a choir and you are not expected to perform.”

Following its launch at the church from 1.30pm next Thursday, October 29, Goldies is expected to run on the first Thursday of every month.

“I think it will help those who are perhaps in isolation to feel loved and cared for,” says Mrs Crompton.

“And,” she adds, “I think it will develop into something unique.”

Grenville Jones, founder and chief officer of Goldies UK, has been conducting choirs for more than 20 years. His work has taken him all around the world.

Grenville, whose parents originated from Bradford before his father’s work on the railway took them to Swindon, credits his interest in music with his Methodist upbringing.

“Music has always been part of my life then I started to get involved with singing in choirs and conducting in choirs,” he explains.

Through working with choirs, Grenville recognised the benefits singing brings to those involved and tapped into the idea that it could be particularly beneficial to older people in encouraging them to get out more and make new friendships.

“I started to realise the main thing about singing in choirs was not really the singing, it was the friendships - the social aspect of singing shone through to me and that was really the background to Goldies,” explains Grenville.

Since establishing Goldies nine years ago, the sessions have taken off to the point where Grenville is now eager to develop sessions throughout the country so more older people can benefit from being part of a fun activity they can look forward to.

“We are trying to encourage people to step across their doorstep to be with friends and there is nothing like singing and smiling to brighten your life.”

Visit golden-oldies.org.uk for more details.