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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.

A quarter century celebrated with classical concert

We celebrated a quarter century of community care in style
Residents, families and team members marked our home’s 25th anniversary with a live classical concert.

Over canapes and bubbly, everyone was treated to an evening of music in the dining room by two visiting performers from Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.

Violinist Jennifer Curiel and horn player and pianist Kevin Pritchard played a selection of popular pieces, much to the delight of the audience.
Resident David Small said: “The music was beautiful. It felt as though we were at the theatre, not in our dining room.”
When Avon Cliff opened in the autumn of 1997, with 50 bedrooms and situated close to Bournemouth beach, Tony Blair was still in his first year as Prime Minister and Bill Clinton was in his fourth as US President.

It was also the year that saw the deaths of Diana, Princess of Wales and Mother Teresa, while popular British films included The Full Monty and the Spice Girls’ movie Spice World.

Home Manager Theresa Sales said: “Over the years Avon Cliff has been home to many residents and their families and a happy place for staff to work in.

“It was a joy to invite our residents, their families and members of the local community to join us for our celebration. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the evening.”

[caption id="attachment_4989" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Avon Cliff residents Julia Averill, left, and Edith Crowley applaud the anniversary performance with, standing in rear, Companionship Team member Elise Woolnough.[/caption]

Our home’s Clinical Lead Emma Williams, recently appointed after a decade of nursing in the NHS, started her career in care as a Healthcare Assistant at our dedicated dementia care home Fernhill in Longham.
Reflecting on her move from the NHS, Emma said: “I didn’t know the home that well but I had always thought of Colten Care with fond memories. I knew it was a nice environment to work in. They have that reputation. When I started to look for another job it was the only place I looked at. I am enjoying the role as it’s very different to what I have done before.”
 

Chatty Brian falls silent and ‘gives our home a break’ for Children in Need  

Our lovely Brian dressed up as Pudsey and stayed completely silent for four hours to help residents and colleagues raise funds for Children in Need
Our popular Companion, Brian Knight stayed tight-lipped despite all manner of temptations put his way.

“It was really hard for him as he talks all the time,” said Companionship team colleague Sharon Surgeon. “We were joking beforehand that he would be giving the whole home a break, but he made it, and well done to him.”
After wearing a mask that read ‘I mustn’t talk’ all through his sponsored silence, Brian said: “It’s quite a challenge for someone as chatty as me to stay quiet for four hours in a Pudsey outfit and with people all around but I’m pleased to have achieved it and it’s all in a great cause.”
The residents’ day started with an inspection of teddy bears, some homemade, on display in the lounge.

It was accompanied by a quiz on the subject of bears and a discussion about all the different bears residents have heard of during their lives.

“At the same time, we’re always happy to help children who are disadvantaged as they deserve the very best of luck with their start in life.”

As well as Avon Cliff, which raised £70, there was Children in Need fun at other Colten Care homes across the South.

A five-hour indoor rowing machine challenge completed by Laura Sheldrake, Companionship team leader at St Catherines View, a dedicated dementia care home in Winchester, helped raise more than £130.
Laura said: “It was a long day and I was absolutely exhausted at the end but it was great fun. Colleagues kept me going with doughnuts and cake.”
Other activities at our homes included ‘spotty cupcake’ sales, dance challenges and pyjama-themed parties.

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