Our generous garden surrounds the home, offering two main areas with many features – sitting areas away from the home, a wonderful pergola area with vines and Clematis, and a backdrop on one side of mature woodland and the Hampshire countryside beyond.
We have a wonderful gardening team that brings a wealth of expertise in designing and maintaining gardens that are both calming and revitalising, with plenty of visual and sensory interest.
Our residents love their gardens as tranquil, nurturing places in which to enjoy peace and quiet, meet friends or maintain those green fingers, as well as enjoying birds and other wildlife visitors to our homes, and staying in tune with the changing seasons.
Our gardens are not just for looking at. At Colten Care, we believe in empowering residents to take ownership of their garden, just as they may have done before moving into the home.
We employ our own gardeners who work closely with residents, encouraging them to get hands in the soil.
We understand the therapeutic power of being in nature, listening to the sounds of the birds, smelling the scent of the flowers, and enjoying the fruits of our labour.
“Gardens are not made by singing ‘Oh, how beautiful,’ and sitting in the shade.” – Rudyard Kipling
There’s a little something for everyone in our garden, whether that’s a space for quiet contemplation, a spot to watch the wildlife or a comfortable seat to catch up with friends.
The highlights include:
The best way to get a feel for what our beautiful gardens can offer is to come and see them for yourself. You’re welcome anytime.
Inspired by the seasons, Gardening Club takes place with a variety of activities to suit the needs of residents and are lead by our homes gardener and companionship team.
Not only is it an excellent way for residents to keep active and continue to enjoy one of their passions, but it also provides the perfect setting for residents to get to know one another and form some wonderful friends.
“The food is delicious, the rooms bright, everywhere so clean and cheerful and the gardens are lovely.” – D G, daughter of resident at Abbotts Barton
Each year our home takes part in the Colten Village Produce Show. The show is a wonderful opportunity for our residents to come together with our sister homes and get hands on in a year-round celebration of garden-inspired creativity.
With some friendly rivalry amongst the homes, the show focuses on gardening, horticulture and outdoor inspiration with range of categories for homes to enter, including; ‘A Tussy-Mussy’ (the arrangement of a posie of flowering annuals, herbs or perennials) and ‘Heave Ho!’ where residents and the homes try to grow the largest beetroot possible!
Nutritious Mealtimes
Food and drink are critical to our well-being in so many ways. Our chef will provide a diet that is not only full of choice, but is also wholesome, nutritious, well-balanced and right for our residents.
Hobbies & Interests
We understand that staying physically and mentally active can have a profound effect on our wellbeing. Our home has a dedicated Companionship Team whose role within the home is to plan, organise and deliver an exciting and engaging programme of activities specifically tailored to the wishes of residents be that in large groups, small groups or simply one on one time.
Minibus Trips
Our home has regular access to one of our four modern and well-equipped minibuses. The professional drivers liaise with the Companionship Team and residents to understand their preferences and provide access through half-day or full-day trips, getting out and about to enjoy the local sights, often taking packed-lunches, snacks, hot coffee and tea.
Music & Arts
Music and the arts play an important and powerful part in all our lives. Whether it be through music, movement, storytelling, singing, drama, reading or writing poetry, our home offers each resident the opportunity to explore the many ways in which music and creative arts can enrich their wellbeing.
Housekeeping & Maintenance
We take care of the daily housekeeping and maintenance responsibilities so our residents don’t have to. Feeling warm and safe in our homes and having peace of mind are just two of the benefits our residents enjoy from the personally tailored care we provide.