Lanterns and laughter herald Chinese New Year at Colten Care

Dances, decorations and delicious dishes proved the ideal start to the Year of the Snake in Chinese New Year celebrations at Colten Care.

Residents at Fernhill, our dementia care home in Ferndown near Bournemouth, welcomed a ‘visiting serpent’ in the form of dressed-up Companion Angela Thorn.

Amid smiles all round, the friendly snake toured the home to walking tambourine accompaniment from resident Robert Simpson and fellow Companion Ann Marie Knight.

At Amberwood House in Ferndown, John Ridgeway was among the diners to open a fortune cookie along with their Chinese-style lunch specially prepared by home chefs.

John was delighted when, alongside Waitress Esther Adesulu, the cookie revealed a colourful pendant which he wore straightaway.

Cookies also contained thoughtful and inspiring written messages inside such as ‘Love is the key that opens the gate to happiness’.

Residents at Amberwood House also made their own Chinese lanterns using brightly coloured paper which they hung in the dining room.

Red was chosen particularly because in traditional Chinese culture the colour is said to bring good luck and scare off the mythical monster Nian.

Mary Papworth said: “Our decorations were so colourful.”

Companion Maddee Baker said: “We enjoyed helping each other with cutting and assembling the lanterns and there was a real sense of teamwork.”

Several other of our care homes staged celebrations for Chinese New Year too.

Residents at Brook View in West Moors were treated to a display of Chinese dances as part of a ceremonial afternoon tea.

At Bourne View in Poole, there was the opportunity to make stained glass bookmarks with Chinese-inspired decorations.

Among our Hampshire care homes, St Catherines View in Winchester marked the occasion with a tai chi session and at Belmore Lodge in Lymington, residents had the chance to handle a real snake which was brought in for the occasion under expert care and guidance.