Summer jazz heralds launch of care home’s ‘absolutely marvellous’ roof garden

Residents, families and team members at our New Forest dementia care home have celebrated the official opening of a rooftop garden terrace with a ‘sounds of summer’ party.

More than 50 guests, including community health contacts, enjoyed the afternoon fun at Linden House in the heart of Lymington.

Over canapes and glasses of fizz, they toured the open-air space serenaded by solo alto-sax player Claire Manners who breezed through a series of jazz standards such as Fly Me to the Moon and Stranger on the Shore.

The terrace completes a second-storey extension to the New Street building which adds 15 extra en suite bedrooms to the Beaulieu House floor along with a craft room and activity space.

With 75 bedrooms in all, Linden House has become the largest of Colten Care’s 21 homes across the south.

The outdoor terrace is designed as a safe, inspiring space, complete with decking, sofas and wicker chairs, and featuring shrubs and flowers with seasonal highlights to look out for.

Resident Mary Hughes and her daughter Glynis Evans took in the party atmosphere from the comfort of an outdoor sofa by the Beaulieu House craft room.

Mary said: “The terrace is beautiful, absolutely marvellous. I wish I’d had something like this at my family home.”

Glynis said: “This is a lovely space for any resident who wants to come outside for some fresh air.

“It gives you the feeling of going back to nature while being right on the top of a building.”

Senior Gardener Chris Marsh, who is responsible for our New Forest gardens and those at homes in Winchester, Chichester and Salisbury, explained the design of the rooftop space from the nature point of view.

Chris said: “It’s designed for hot and dry conditions. We’ve chosen a mix of big, bold colours, including lilies, petunias, dahlias and osteospermum, and many herbs and fragrances to appeal to the senses.

“When winter arrives, the evergreen plants, such as variegated lavender, will come into their own.

“Residents will also enjoy late winter bulbs such as daffodils, tulips and cyclamen.”

Lorraine Bell, Linden House Home Manager, said: “Our rooftop terrace is there to help our residents stay connected with the outdoors.

“This is a beautiful, engaging space that residents and families will really enjoying spending time in as they appreciate the plants and fresh air.”

As well as celebrating the launch of the terrace, Lorraine used her speech of welcome to thank two colleagues for their support, presenting both with bouquets of flowers.

She paid tribute to Companionship Team member Chris Dimmick for 28 years’ service to Colten Care, including periods as a Home Manager at two Lymington homes, Belmore Lodge and the former Monmouth House.

And Deborah Davies, Customer Support Advisor, received thanks for helping to organise the rooftop celebration.

Elaine Farrer, Colten Care’s Chief Operating Officer, said: “Many of our residents have enjoyed a love of gardens and gardening throughout their lives.

“To ensure this passion continues, we strive to make our outdoor living spaces accessible, interactive and stimulating.

“Our gardening team brings expertise in designing and maintaining gardens that are both calming and revitalising, with plenty of visual and sensory interest.

“We have more than 23,000 sq m of garden space across our 21 homes and are constantly taking forward new projects as well as ongoing maintenance.

“At Linden House and our other dedicated dementia care homes, gardens are specifically designed for easy navigation and staying in tune with the changing seasons.”