Some of the UK’s oldest retired nurses have celebrated an official day honouring their profession.
Dozens of former nurses who live at our 21 homes in the south joined fellow residents and care team members to mark International Nurses Day.

Cards, gifts, cakes and good wishes were all exchanged to thank current nursing practitioners for all they do and to remember nursing from years gone by.

Nurses Day is celebrated each year on 12 May, the birthday of Florence Nightingale who earned her famous title of ‘the Lady with the Lamp’ nursing wounded soldiers in the Crimean War of 1853 to 1856.

At Avon Cliff care home in Bournemouth, 103-year-old Barbara Binding recalled her years as a children’s nurse looking at photos of herself in uniform just after qualification.

And fellow resident Betty Nelms, 96, a former TB nurse who qualified around the same time as Barbara in the 1940s, said: “I used to go door-to-door to treat people and I loved the job. My work has long finished and I’m just happy to be part of this commemoration.”

Betty’s sentiments were shared by ex-nurses Wendy Golding and Sue McPhee who live at Kingfishers in New Milton.

Wendy said: “Nurses Day is a fantastic way to celebrate the dedication and compassion that nurses bring to their work, reminding us all of the vital role they play in our community.”

Sue said: “Thank you to everyone who made the day extra special.”

All our homes in Hampshire, Dorset, Wiltshire and West Sussex are registered to provide professional nursing care and all take part in the annual celebration of Nurses Day by presenting gifts, cards and chocolates to the in-house nursing team.

Several homes, including Abbotts Barton in Winchester, Avon Reach in Mudeford and Belmore Lodge in Lymington, organised trips out so that residents could present gifts and cards to nurses working at local GP surgeries and hospitals.

In a further example of community outreach, a party from Woodpeckers in Brockenhurst, led by Home Manager Priya Joseph and Companionship Team Leader Jane Bunker, travelled to Oakhaven Hospice in Lymington with a cake specially baked for the nurses there.

Elaine Farrer, Colten Care’s Chief Operating Officer and a registered nurse herself, said: “Nurses are at the very heart of our homes, giving residents and their families the reassurance of comprehensive, person-centred care from the moment they start their care journeys with us.
“Our strength in nursing is a key reason we have such consistently high ratings from independent bodies such as the public review site Carehome.co.uk and the sector regulator the Care Quality Commission. Indeed, seven of our homes are rated Outstanding by the CQC with the rest all rated Good.

“It’s a great privilege to care for so many residents who were themselves nurses in their  professional lives and who now entrust us with responsibilities for their wellbeing in later life.”

An 84-year-old woman from Hampshire, and resident at Belmore Lodge that now occupies the exact spot where her family’s house once stood, joined fellow residents and guests for a delightful 20th-anniversary celebration.
Belmore Lodge in Lymington opened in 2003 following the demolition of two houses originally on the Milford Road site.

One of them, number 20, was the four-bedroom family home, from 1978 to 2001, of Maureen Marks’ in-laws Adrienne and Ted and niece Sandra.

Maureen, known as Mo, and her late husband Bill were regular visitors, enjoying family gatherings including barbecues in the back garden.

Maureen also lived there for several weeks in 1994 when she was between house moves herself.

Number 20 and the next-door property were sold in 2001, after which Colten Developments demolished the buildings to pave the way for arts and crafts-themed Belmore Lodge.

At Belmore Lodge for the opening of the Lymington home’s 20th anniversary exhibition are, standing from left: former Lymington Mayor Consort and Mayor, Graham and Jane Clarke; Colten Care Operations Manager Peter Doyle; Home Manager Janie Wilkins; Colten Care Executive Chairman Ian Hudson; and visitor Sandra Paice, niece of resident Maureen Marks who is seated far right. Seated either side of the table are Maureen’s sister-in-law Adrienne Marks, right, and fellow Belmore Lodge resident Louisa McIntyre.

Twenty years on from its official opening, Maureen, Adrienne and Sandra joined Belmore Lodge residents and well-wishers for an anniversary celebration.

The centrepiece was the opening of a week-long exhibition in the home’s Botanical Lounge, with photos, news cuttings and other memorabilia charting two decades of community care and local Lymington history.

Maureen, whose family members ran the Lymington bakers’ business Marks Bakery from 1972 to 1996, moved to Belmore Lodge eleven years ago.

“This is a really nice, homely place to live in,” she said. “I can’t believe it’s been so long. I feel like I’m part of the furniture now.”

Sister-in-law Adrienne said: “Time has flown by and, although it does feel strange, there is a sense of reassurance for us that Maureen lives on the same spot where our home was. The Belmore Lodge driveway is even in the same place ours used to be.”

Niece Sandra said: “I grew up and flew the nest from here so it has lots of memories.”

The exhibition was launched by former Lymington Mayor Jane Clarke who, in her Mayoral capacity, officially opened Belmore Lodge in 2003.

“I remember thinking it was a lovely home then,” said Jane. “I recall I had just opened some public toilets in Lymington earlier in the day and thinking this was rather more upmarket!”
Also attending the launch was Ian Hudson, Colten Care’s Executive Chairman, who said: “Colten Developments originally had planning permission for a block of flats but we were told that local doctors wanted more nursing homes in the Lymington area. That was the thinking behind Belmore Lodge being developed, owned and run by Colten Care, offering 55 bedrooms. It was the 13th home we opened.”

The 20th anniversary of Colten Care’s Belmore Lodge coincided with the 75th birthday of Ian Hudson, the care home provider’s Executive Chairman. With him to toast the occasion is Home Manager Janie Wilkins.

The exhibition launch party coincided with Ian’s 75th birthday so Home Manager Janie Wilkins took the opportunity to arrange a cake and presentation for him.

A professional accountant, Ian said: “I joined Colten Care aged 40 and so have spent 35 years at the company. I love working for Colten Care. It’s happy days because it doesn’t feel like work.”

Other Colten colleagues with long-standing associations with Belmore Lodge include Chef Gary Parsons, currently in his 25th year with the company, and Nurse Priya Joseph who is now the Home Manager at Brockenhurst care home Woodpeckers.

Hundreds of residents from our 21 care homes have honoured the staff who enable them to live the best lives they can every day.
Colten Care’s Champions awards prompted nominations across nine categories reflecting a range of clinical and non-clinical care.

Individuals, teams, homes and departments were all recognised as the annual scheme culminated in a glittering evening at Bournemouth’s Highcliff Marriott Hotel.

Around 140 guests dressed up in style for the awards ceremony and celebration, hosted by TV presenter Dr Hilary Jones.

Nominees and audience members mingled at a welcome reception before stepping into a specially decorated ballroom for dinner, the ceremony itself and the opportunity to dance the night away.

Colten Care residents were represented by special guest Jean Smith, who lives in Poole home Bourne View.

She had previously met Dr Hilary at the home’s official opening in spring 2019 when her late husband, former Poole Mayor Ray Smith MBE, became the first resident to move in.

Catching up with the broadcaster and author once again as they stood on stage, Jean said: “I can’t believe I’m here.”

She then presented Rosa Santos, Senior Care Lead at Newstone House in Sturminster Newton, with the inaugural award for Resident and Relative Choice.

This category, which attracted more than 500 nominations from residents and families, was designed to recognise an individual or team ‘who have truly made a difference to your life or your loved one’s life since coming to Colten Care’.

The common theme for Rosa’s multiple nominations was her ‘kind and welcoming approach to both residents and relatives. Rosa has patience to understand residents needs so well which has such a positive outcome for their care’.
One relative wrote: “It is always a please to see Rosa on duty, she cared for my mother and father with such cheerfulness, she would make sure my father was helped upstairs to spend time with my mother when they were on different floors. She works hard to ensure our family are kept informed, added to this her professionalism and positive attitude.”
Among other category winners, Lucy O’Brien, Senior Administrator at Bourne View, who won the Warm Welcome award, described the moment her name was read out.

She said: “It was amazing, a total surprise. I was in a complete daze and then got quite emotional. It was lovely to go up and receive the award in front of everyone and meet Hilary Jones.”

[caption id="attachment_13326" align="alignnone" width="1262"] Colten Care resident Jean Smith, right, was Honorary Guest at the Colten Champions awards. She presented the inaugural Resident and Relative Choice award to Rosa Santos, Senior Care Lead at Newstone House in Sturminster Newton. With them is awards host and TV presenter Dr Hilary Jones.[/caption]
Colten Care Chief Executive Mark Aitchison said: “Colten Champions celebrates the pride and passion our amazing team shows every single day, caring for our residents and their families.

“It is an immense privilege to lead a team full of superstars, always prepared to go above and beyond.

“We thank everyone who put in a Colten Champions nomination and congratulate all the winners, finalists and nominees.”
Mark’s comments were echoed by Colten Care’s Chief Operating Officer Elaine Farrer, who added: “There are so many shining examples of our team supporting and caring for residents, embodying our values and consistently putting the resident at the very heart of all they do.”

After the ceremony, Dr Hilary said: “Colten Champions truly reflects the importance of quality care delivered by a team working together for the benefit of residents. It’s a great initiative and the awards evening is always such a happy occasion.”

As well as the Champions awards themselves, special congratulations were given on stage to Elena Barna, Home Manager at Abbey View in Sherborne, for the home’s recent Outstanding rating from sector regulator the Care Quality Commission.

It means that seven of Colten Care’s 21 homes in Dorset, Hampshire, Wiltshire and West Sussex are officially rated Outstanding, with all the rest rated Good.

To enable one of our residents to see her son exchange vows with his fiancée, we secretly transformed their room into a beautiful wedding chapel,
Janet Towers, is no longer able to travel. But it was her dearest wish to see her son John Towers’ wedding to his partner Sarah-jane.
Janie Wilkins, Home Manager of Belmore Lodge said: “When we learned that Janet may have to miss the wedding, we knew that simply wouldn’t do.

“So, we told a little fib and asked Janet if we could dress her room for a marketing promotion, to show how we can accommodate special occasions.

“Janet agreed and this gave us the opportunity to transform her room and of course dress her accordingly, as the beautiful Mother of the Groom!

“One significant detail was left out though, and that was that we would be re-creating John’s upcoming wedding.”
Janet’s room was adorned with flowers and had a wedding arch.

“Just before the ‘photoshoot’ I told Janet we had a surprise and gave her the order of service for John’s wedding,” continued Janie.

“She said: “But I can’t go!” and I said: “No, so they are coming to you!

“When John and Sarah-jane came into the room, with Sarah-jane’s two other sons Joshua and Gabriel, everyone was so overwhelmed and emotional.

“We left them together for a few minutes to hug and compose themselves.”

The happy couple went on to read the same vows they would say be saying in their Register Office ceremony and exchanged rings. There was also a reading by one of Janet’s fellow residents, Davina Shelley.

“It was absolutely beautiful with lots of happy tears and of course Janet was overjoyed,” said Janie.

Everyone then enjoyed cake and toasted the newlyweds with pink fizz.

Janet said: “I had no idea this was going to happen, but I can’t thank everyone enough.

“I didn’t think I would be able to part of John and Sarah-jane’s wedding, but I was, and I loved every single moment of it. Thank you so much to everyone who made my wish possible.”

Janet’s son John said: “My wife and I are extremely grateful to Janie and all the staff at Belmore Lodge who made our special day so memorable. To have mum at our wedding was truly the icing on the cake (wedding)!”
Janie continued: “At Colten Care we always try to achieve the impossible, ensuring that our residents continue to live a fulfilled life surrounded by their family and friends.

“We all feel deeply privileged to have been able to see Janet share this precious day with John and Sarah-jane.

“And in an added twist, we have also been delighted to welcome a new ‘Mrs Towers’ to Belmore Lodge:

“Sarah-jane has been so impressed by everything she has seen at Belmore Lodge she has joined our Companionship team and will now be spending even more time with her new mum-in-law Janet.”

Forget Hollywood, there was Oscars-style razzamatazz over here too as residents honoured our staff 
Team members were rewarded for their hard work and friendliness with card trophies that residents designed and created in a fun ceremony amid smiles all round.

Nominees and winners included representatives from all home departments including clinical care, catering, administration, gardening and housekeeping.

Trophies were awarded for categories such as Best Sense of Humour, Best Smile, Loudest Laugh and Most Likely To Be Seen Running Round the Corridor.

The award for Best Twilight Performance went, perhaps unsurprisingly, to the whole nightshift team of nurses and healthcare assistants.

And there was much laughter when healthcare assistant Iulian Rusu was announced as winner of the award for Most Likely To Be Late, only to arrive five minutes late!

Our home manager read out the names of all nominees and announced the winners who then collected their trophies personally from the residents.
Colten Care Chief Executive Mark Aitchison, who attended the event as a special guest, said: “It was such a joy to see the joint fun between residents and staff. This was a fantastic idea by our residents keen to demonstrate their appreciation for everything that our team members do. After all the care sector has been through over the past couple of years, this showed a very different reality to what is sometime portrayed.”
Resident Maxine Pope said: “It was a nice way of bringing staff and residents together and specially to reward the hard work of the staff who selflessly ensure we are comfortable, safe and well looked after in such difficult times.”

Companionship Team Leader Sharon Semple said: “It was a lovely idea from our residents. They loved the afternoon and colleagues enjoyed their moment on the red carpet and the experience of winning an award.”

‘Oscars season’ at Colten Care also featured a concert of hits from film musicals at Avon Reach in Mudeford.

Companionship Team Leader and trained opera singer Chloe Akam delighted residents by performing songs from popular musicals.

She was accompanied on the piano by professional musician Kevin Pritchard while Colten Care’s Music and Arts Partner Fiona Pritchard gave rousing renditions of the Superman theme and other movie favourites on the French horn.

Residents received formal invitations for the concert and, on arrival, glasses of bubbly and party boxes of chocolates, diamante fabrics and party poppers. The lounge was specially decorated for the occasion with floating roses from florist Jules.
Resident Margaret Johnson said: “I thought it was fabulous. I really feel like I’ve been to the Oscars.”
Margaret’s thoughts were echoed by Noeleen Braisby who said: “I’ve had the most enjoyable afternoon. I loved the songs, I knew them well and they brought back wonderful memories of happy occasions.”

And Doreen Walls said: “I loved the whole thing. I knew as soon as the morning started and things were getting ready that we were going to have a wonderful time.”