A resident at our Salisbury home had a wish come true when she welcomed the city’s MP for a morning of conversation.

Marlene, who lives at Braemar Lodge, was interested in a career in politics when she was younger and, while she ultimately chose a different path, has followed the work of John Glen with a keen eye since his election victory in 2010.

She asked team members at the Stratford Road home if they could arrange for him to visit, and they liaised with John’s constituency office to make it happen.

On the day, John spent time with Marlene talking about various aspects of local, national and international politics.

As they sat together on a sofa in the lounge, Marlene told the MP of her wish that she had been able to enter politics, joking that he had ‘taken her job’.

Marlene said afterwards: “It was a personable visit from a young man who was easy to talk with. He was enthusiastic and willing to talk about his job in an interesting way. The visit worked out well, it was very pleasant.”

As well as meeting Marlene, John spoke with several other residents and team members including Clinical Lead Zodwa.

He was also given a tour round the home’s new extension and recently refurbished areas.

Companionship Team member Kelly Bartlett said: “Marlene was very much looking forward to meeting him and discussing various topics of interest. He talked about his life and how he came to be a politician, becoming the local MP in 2010. He shared details of his different roles in government and opposition over the years.

“Residents learned how he divides his time between London and Salisbury, and how he keeps in touch with constituents here through events, surgeries, visits, talks and simply being around the city, particularly on our Saturday market day.

“The morning was a wonderful way for residents to further engage with local and countrywide politics, for Marlene to have her wish granted, and for our local MP to see our newly extended home.”

The 18-year-old home has undergone a huge project of refurbishment this year coupled with the completion and opening of the extension, taking the overall number of bedrooms to 95.

Activity on the extension began nearly three years ago with groundwork, construction and fit-out led by Colten Care’s sister company Colten Developments.

Around 30 sub-contractor companies, employing more than 250 tradespeople, were engaged on the project, helping with local job creation.

The extension is split over three floors, including a garden floor, and extends to 2,700 sq m or 29,052 sq ft.

As well as ensuite bedrooms, there are training and staff rooms and a second-floor guest suite. The main entrance and reception area are accessed from road level.

October 2025 saw an official opening by The Mayor of Salisbury, Councillor John Wells, who said its “facilities of the highest quality…enhance a strong sense of comfort and care”.

Resident Dotty, a former department store sales assistant, ‘came out of retirement’ for a morning when our Bournemouth home, Avon Cliff, arranged for her to volunteer at a cancer charity shop.

Dotty, 89, who lives at Avon Cliff, was ‘in her element once again’ as she served customers at Wessex Cancer Support in Poole Road, Westbourne.

Dotty spent her whole career in retail, working for many years at the now-closed Beales store in Bournemouth and at the shoe shop Dolcis.

She didn’t need to be asked twice when Colten Companion Elise Martin suggested she might like the chance to relive her retail days.

Elise knew that Dotty loved her career, has a personal connection with Wessex Cancer Support and had been thrilled when Avon Cliff residents chose it as the home’s charity for this year.

Having made the necessary arrangements with Wessex Cancer Support’s Alina, Retail Area Manager, and Hannah, Head of Volunteering and Training, Elise accompanied Dotty on a minibus trip to the shop.

“We spent the morning there with Alina and Hannah, and Dotty was soon back into the swing of things,” said Elise. “First, they invited her to check all the coat hangers were correctly labelled and looking neat. Then, under their guidance, she had a stint behind the till serving customers. Of course, she couldn’t resist a little browse on the job and even used her sales skills to convince me to buy a lovely winter coat. Dotty chatted with customers throughout the morning, helping one lady choose accessories to go with her new dress.”

Elise added: “Seeing Dotty in her element once again while doing something for a great cause was truly heartwarming. She relished the chance to be out in the community giving back to the charity we have been fundraising for this year. It was the best example of ‘retail therapy’, such a valuable experience.”
Dotty said: “Being here doing this again made me quite emotional. I forgot how much I love it. There is something about helping a customer put an outfit together that makes me feel great. Being back in this environment was unexpected but so brilliant and I am happy I can still do it.”

Alina said: “It was lovely to meet Dotty, welcome her to the shop and enable her to rekindle her retail skills. We’re so happy she enjoyed the experience and had fun.”

Alina’s comments were echoed by Hannah who said: “Much of what we do in our shop activities relies on volunteers and Dotty certainly provided excellent support.”

Opened in March 2024, Wessex Cancer Support’s Westbourne shop sells clothing, bric-a-brac and household items. It is the charity’s only Dorset shop, with four others in Hampshire and one on the Isle of Wight.

Wessex Cancer Support is dedicated to improving the lives of people affected by cancer. From professional counselling, complementary therapies, activities, support groups and courses, the charity offers a range of free wellbeing and support services for people in Dorset, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

For more information on Wessex Cancer Support, visit www.wessexcancer.org.uk.