International students bring festive cheer to Bournemouth care home residents 

Students from Bournemouth University International College have bridged the generations – and the nations – to share seasonal cheer with residents of a care home.
Nine visitors including learners and lecturers of different nationalities travelled from the Lansdowne-based college to Avon Cliff in Bournemouth.

It was an ideal face-to-face opportunity to discuss how festive traditions in the UK compare to countries represented in the group such as Spain, Egypt and Ukraine.

The visit was a return meeting after the college hosted a party of Avon Cliff residents for a multicultural celebration on campus in May 2024.

Language and Project Tutor Katixa Rojo de la Hoz kicked off the afternoon at Avon Cliff with a presentation about Christmas customs in Spain.
“This led to a whole group discussion among residents and students about the traditions they hold dear,” explained Elise Woolnough, Avon Cliff’s Companionship Team Leader. “The students had made Christmas cards for the residents with international greetings inside which was a perfect way to break the ice.
“The afternoon was filled with flowing conversation between visitors in their early twenties and our residents who go all the way up to the age of 100. Pictures of hometowns and families were exchanged.

“We finished off the afternoon with a quiz all about worldwide Christmas traditions in which the residents and students worked together in teams.”
Avon Cliff resident Sheila Keast said: “The visit was wonderful. It was great to see the students at our home after we went to visit them earlier in the year. All the students were very interesting and it is always great to hear how university works now in the modern day.”
As well as Sheila, residents who spent time with the visiting students were Dotty Dixon, Edie Crowley, Julia Averill, Ethel Wise, Margaret Day, Richard Lake and Ray Paice.

‘Pleased as punch’ Patrick, 90, pops out for Pride parade

A 90-year-old care home resident stepped out to enjoy the ‘hard to believe’ thrill of joining a community pride parade waved on by thousands of well-wishers.
Patrick Haddingham, who lives at Avon Cliff in Bournemouth, donned his finest jacket and took to the streets for the annual Bourne Free celebration.

It was the second year in a row that Patrick has joined in the parade with support from care companions.
He said he was ‘pleased as punch’ to take part once again and, on his return to Avon Cliff, expressed his gratitude to carers, saying: “Thank you for making this possible for me again. It’s hard to believe that I can do this at my age, and I look forward to doing it again and again.”

Companionship Team Leader Elise Woolnough said: “We took part in Bourne Free for the first time last year at Patrick’s request. He has attended many Pride events in his life.

“Our appearance was such a hit with residents and other people attending the event, we and Patrick were keen to make sure it becomes an annual outing for us.

“Patrick turned 90 earlier in the year and what a way to start this milestone age by stepping out onto the streets of Bournemouth in his best jacket ready to celebrate this joyful and important event.

“We were keen to make an even bigger impact this year so collected more rainbow accessories and even our minibus had a makeover with Pride-themed stickers and eyelashes on the headlights.

“We are already planning our appearance for next year and look forward to taking part for many years to come.”

Dawn Street, another Avon Cliff resident who was in the parade, said: “I was looking forward to this since the moment it finished last year. The atmosphere is amazing and it is wonderful when people wave at you and cheer you on.”

The annual Bourne Free parade was established by members of the LGBT community in 2004 to celebrate and promote equality and diversity in Bournemouth.

Strictly fun as Colten Care back charity’s community dance ‘extravaganza’

Ballroom dance fans living at our care homes in Bournemouth and Poole are stepping up to follow the progress of a prestigious Strictly-style competition run by Forest Holme Hospice.
The Dorset-based palliative care charity, which marks its 30th anniversary this year, has welcomed aboard Colten Care as headline sponsor of its ‘Strictly Extravaganza’.

The contest involves ten participants, drawn from a public call for entries, teaming up with professional dancers for months of lessons and rehearsals.

It culminates with a glittering finals night before an audience of around 350 people at Poole Lighthouse in January 2025.

A winner will be chosen by a panel of judges from the dance world including Jason Edwards, the champion of a similar competition held by Forest Holme last year.

Under the sponsorship agreement, Colten Care residents who enjoy dance can watch rehearsals, demonstrations and performances brought to their homes and access tickets for the finals evening.

Among the guests at a launch party in the Canopy Café at Bourne View in Poole were Bournemouth-based ballroom dance pro Oliver Beardmore and his brother Kieran, a music producer.

The pair will provide support with choreography and music respectively as the rehearsals and countdown to the finals gather pace over the months ahead.

The launch, featuring a champagne and canapés reception and a presentation for contestants and corporate partners, brought together team members from both Forest Holme and Colten Care.

The new friendship prompted hopes that staff members from Colten Care will join nurses from the hospice to rehearse and perform a group dance routine on finals night.
Kirsty Perks, the charity’s Corporate and Community Fundraiser, said: “We are so grateful to Colten Care for partnering on our Strictly Extravaganza.

“We are completely aligned with their aim of ensuring their residents feel part of this community initiative and we’re only too pleased to bring dance demonstrations to their homes where we can.

“With Colten Care’s help, we’re all set for months of great fun as we build up to finals night itself with all the excitement of dressing up and taking to the dancefloor under the expert gaze of the judges.”
The call for entries prompted applications from people of all ages and dance abilities from novices through to those with more experience.

The chosen ten each have a personal reason for wanting to support the work of Forest Holme.

Since its founding in 1994, the hospice has cared for more than 30,000 patients and their families, with voluntary donations a vital part of its funding.

Kirsty said she hopes the Extravaganza will help to raise around £30,000 in new funds and added that messages of support have already been received from Strictly Come Dancing judges Shirley Ballas and Motsi Mabuse and professional dancer Kai Widdrington.
Mark Aitchison, Colten Care’s Chief Executive, said: “Forest Holme’s Strictly Extravaganza is an amazing, inclusive community competition which is set to generate huge interest.

“Many of our residents are big fans of dance, for some it has been a lifelong passion whether they have been active dancers themselves or simply keen audience members.

“In partnering with Forest Holme, we are ensuring those many dance enthusiasts at our homes can maintain their love of ballroom and share in our community’s support for what is a thoroughly deserving local cause.”
For more information on Forest Holme Hospice, visit www.forestholmehospice.org.uk.

Pride for Patrick, 89, on ‘amazing’ Bourne Free parade

One of our residents at Avon Cliff has spoken of his joy and amazement at being part of a community pride parade waved on by thousands of smiling well-wishers.
Patrick Haddingham, was in a party from the home who joined the Bourne Free event through the town centre. It was Patrick’s wish to be involved, having been a spectator of the parade in the past.

Team members from the home responded to his request by speaking to the Bourne Free organisers to secure a spot for him and three fellow residents just in front of one of our minibuses.

They dressed in rainbow accessories and face paint, with Patrick adding more style to the fun by donning a shiny black and gold blazer and blue mirror sunglasses.
Patrick said: “What an amazing experience I had. I never thought I would be able to be on the parade at my age and I never thought I would see so many people in one place ever again. Seeing people smile and wave made my day. It was better than I could have imagined.”
The party were given spot number nine on the parade route which led from East Cliff at Boscombe through the town centre to Meyrick Park.

Companionship Team member Elise Woolnough said: “We danced in the street to classic anthems, waved at the public and had huge smiles on our faces the entire way. The streets were filled with love and it was an electric atmosphere.

Avon Cliff residents and team members on their way to the Bourne Free parade aboard the Colten Care minibus

“We had comments from the crowd about how fantastic it was to see Colten Care being part of the parade, representing the LGBT community and reminding us that older people are part of the community.
“Patrick, in his snazziest blazer, drew plenty of compliments from people as we went past.

“He has been a resident with us at Avon Cliff for many years and has attended Bourne Free as a spectator a few times.

“He told us he loved it so much he would not only want to go again, but actually have the chance to be a part of it.”
We contacted Bourne Free and were thrilled to get a spot on the parade. We took Patrick and three other residents who are all allies of the LGBT community and were keen to support Partick on the day.”

Patrick’s fellow residents also spoke of their delight in taking part.

Edie Crowley said: “I enjoyed every minute. I really felt so alive and I can’t wait to do it again.”

Dawn Street said: “I don’t think I could feel any happier than I did on the day. It was emotional to be a part of. It was a day I will remember.”

Dottie Dixon: said: “For me, it was the best thing that has happened in a long time and to be in a group of people that all got into the spirit was amazing.”

Patrick Haddingham, 89, leads the Colten Care party on the Bourne Free parade

This year’s Bourne Free was led by actor Su Pollard, star of the TV sitcom Hi-de-Hi! and a well-known pantomime performer, who travelled the route in a Bentley Continental.

The annual parade was established by members of the LGBT community in 2004 to celebrate and promote equality and diversity in Bournemouth.

A world of celebration delights music lovers at Colten Care

Fun-loving residents across our homes have celebrated World Music Day with singalongs, karaokes, themed parties and concerts.
From cardio drumming to hillbilly-style dances, there were joyful sounds filling the air to entertain residents and visitors alike at our 21 homes across the south.

At Kingfishers in New Milton, Hampshire, there was intergenerational festivity as children from Durlston Court School’s ukulele band came along to perform.
Resident Hugh Cooke said: “They were all so very good. I really enjoyed the concert.”

And Joyce Ponsonby said: “What a wonderful afternoon seeing the kids perform. I really enjoyed listening to them.”
Elsewhere, our staff and residents chose a variety of ways to showcase their own musical creativity and knowledge.

There was a music quiz at Whitecliffe House in Blandford, a six-decade jukebox celebration at Avon Cliff and song and dance-themed coffee mornings at Lymington homes Court Lodge and Linden House.

Woodpeckers in Brockenhurst held a ‘Walking on Sunshine’ music and movement session while Newstone House in Sturminster Newton staged an ‘Abba spectacular’.

Participants in a music and movement session at Woodpeckers in Brockenhurst

At Canford Chase in Poole, residents took the microphone and sang to each other in a garden karaoke.

At fellow Poole home The Aldbury, the focus was on cardio drumming and at Fernhill in Longham there was singing and dancing on the theme of ‘hillbilly blues’.
Fiona Pritchard, our Music & Arts Partner, said: “World Music Day was a great opportunity to celebrate the breadth of musical creativity our residents enjoy.

“There really was a lot of variety. People joined together to say thank-you for the many ways that music brings joy and pleasure to them.”

Having fun at a garden karaoke session at Canford Chase in Poole are Margaret Connor and Frank Daley

World Music Day has been celebrated every June since 1982. It originated in Paris from a proposal by the then French Minister of Culture, Jack Lang, as Fête de la Musique, a day when people were encouraged to play musical instruments in their neighbourhoods and in public spaces and parks.

Now celebrated in more than 120 countries, the aim remains to celebrate and have fun with music.

Canford Chase’s Senior Care Lead Abner Saclayan plays guitar. On vocals is Abner’s wife Rowena who visited the home to support the World Music Day celebration.

Resident revisits treasured childhood memories of milking cows

Judy Price and some of her fellow residents enjoyed a fun day out at a dairy farm, reliving childhood memories and even experiencing milking the cows
Our companion Elise Woolnough said: “Several of our residents grew up on or around farms and have happy memories of the animals, farm life and the countryside.

“Judy in particular, often talks and reminisces about her days as a young girl taking family holidays at a farm in Somerset, where she would ride horses, play with dogs and milk the cows.

“When she said she would love to have one more opportunity to milk a cow if she could, we looked around for a place to do this.

“As you would imagine, most farms have stopped milking cows by hand these days. But we were thrilled to find a local dairy farm, Holfleet Dairy based in Bockhampton near Dorchester, which was happy for us to visit and see how milking is now done.

Holfleet Dairy is home to over 400 cows, of which 350 are milked twice daily. Much of this milk is supplied to Marks & Spencer.

[caption id="attachment_5374" align="alignnone" width="768"] Colten companion Elise Woolnough and Judy Price[/caption]

Elise said: “All the residents were very interested to see how times and technology have moved on.

“We were invited up to the milking platform where we were able to watch the cows being milked, hear about the different equipment and basically enjoy a masterclass in all things cattle!”

Judy was also invited to assist in milking one of the cows.
She said: “I used to milk the cows by hand. But I imagine it would be very difficult to milk so many cows twice a day by hand!”
Judy trained as a doctor but said if she hadn’t entered medicine she would have loved to work on a farm.

“This has brought back many memories of my days in Somerset and has made me very happy.” she added.

Fellow Avon Cliff resident, Jo Hart said: “The trip to the farm was very interesting. I loved seeing young people so passionate about what they do and sharing so much interesting information with us. I also love cows – so this was a great day out for me!”

 

Colten Care totaliser tops hundreds for Children in Need 

Residents and team members across our homes have done their bit for Children in Need by raising more than £400
The total was totted up from various events held during and since the BBC’s annual fundraising appeal.

Kingfishers in New Milton, Hampshire, residents had fun at a singalong with visiting pianist Mark Busell who played tunes from the 40s, 50s and 60s.
Resident Terry Darrell said: “Everyone had a great time. We had many people really engaged with it. There was a lot of foot tapping and dancing. It felt like New Year’s Eve.”
As well as the live music, we held a cake sale at reception while staff wore Pudsey-style T-shirts and onesies.

Court Lodge in Lymington celebrated Children in Need with an afternoon tea and raffle featuring prizes such as hairdos, freshly baked cakes and chocolates.

Here at Avon Cliff the fun included a duvet and pamper morning while at Bourne View in Poole there was bingo and a cheese and wine party.

Our dedicated dementia care homes also took part in activities for the appeal.

At Fernhill in Longham, Dorset, staff and residents held a pyjama day and an afternoon of baking cupcakes to sell.

At St Catherines View in Winchester, residents decorated cupcakes for children at the nearby school and enjoyed a visit by balloon artist Chris Kimber who made some very clever balloon creations in front of their eyes.

The home’s Customer Advisor Vanessa Hall did her bit for Children in Need by walking ten miles to work specially in aid of the appeal.
“We greeted her with a banner we had made the day before,” said Companionship Team Leader Laura Sheldrake. “Welcoming Vanessa, getting involved with the cupcakes and watching the balloon artistry of Chris gave everyone a great opportunity to come together and have fun while supporting such a worthy cause.”

‘Game, set and match’ to Bella Avon Cliff serves tennis joy   

Forget Wimbledon, the place to be for enthralling racket and ball action this summer is clearly Avon Cliff
Eight tennis-loving residents competed in their own in-house version of the iconic tournament, including mixed doubles matches and a grand final involving the best two players.

Our lounge was converted into a playing court complete with net while competitors sought to win over their opponents using badminton rackets and balloons. Everyone playing received a miniature trophy to thank them for taking part.

The final, between residents Bella Kier and Sylvia Williams, was a closely fought affair which went to three match points before Bella eventually broke serve and won.

The delighted champion was then presented with a winner’s trophy, flowers, chocolates and champagne.
She said: “I thoroughly enjoyed the game. I was surprised I had the stamina to win and I’m over the moon, very happy.”
And gracious runner-up Sylvia said: “A big congratulations to Bella. It was a pleasure to compete against such a confident player.”

Sharon Surgeon, our Companionship Team Leader, said: “We’ve all had a lot of fun with our tennis tournament.

“Everyone was clearly inspired by the Wimbledon finals, insisting on full games and proper scoring.
“Well done to all competitors and hearty congratulations to Bella for triumphing in the end.”
Such is the degree of interest in tennis among residents, Colten Care agreed an innovative tie-up with Bournemouth’s West Hants Club three years ago.

Under the partnership, residents at our home and our sister home, Amberwood House were given opportunities to watch live matches in return for Colten supporting the club’s youth academy.

The West Hants was the club where the first ‘open era’ tennis tournament was staged in April 1968, widely seen as an early step on the way to today’s global professional sport.

Sharon added: “We aim to be as responsive as possible to our residents’ wishes. Many of them have a lifelong love of tennis and we’re delighted to help them continue their interest in any way we can.”