Residents at Canford Chase recently embraced a day of storytelling and fun with a delightful Alice in Wonderland-themed tea party. The event, held to celebrate World Book Day, was designed to bring residents together through creativity, conversation, and shared enjoyment.
The home’s lounge was transformed into a whimsical setting, complete with colourful decorations and themed treats. Residents participated in book-inspired activities and story-based exercises before gathering for the highlight of the day: a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party.

Guests from Poole Disabled Club joined the celebration, arriving in style with their own imaginative hats. Conversation flowed throughout the afternoon, with laughter and shared stories creating a lively, inclusive atmosphere.
Residents enjoyed dressing up, sipping tea, and connecting over the shared experience, making it a memorable day for all involved.
Vicky, Companion Team Leader at Canford Chase, reflected on the occasion: “It was wonderful to see residents and guests enjoying themselves so fully. The Alice in Wonderland theme sparked conversation, laughter, and creativity, making it a truly special day for everyone.”

Residents and staff at Canford Chase marked Robert Burns Day with a morning of music, laughter, and shared memories.
The event brought Scotland to life with traditional Scottish songs, lively music, and tartan hats.
Staff joined in the fun, creating playful moments and photos while residents reminisced about holidays, family connections, and their own experiences of Scottish culture.

Familiar tunes encouraged singing along and gentle toe-tapping, while comedy from Scottish performers added light-hearted moments to the celebration. The inclusive atmosphere meant everyone could take part, whether dancing, clapping, or simply enjoying the music.
The Burns Day celebration offered residents the opportunity to reflect on the life and legacy of Robert Burns, while enjoying a morning of connection, culture, and joy.

Residents at Canford Chase in Poole marked International Relaxation Day with a series of activities designed to encourage rest and wellbeing.
The day began with the home’s Brunch Club, where residents discussed local news and shared their favourite ways to unwind. Audrey said that for her, nothing beats getting outside in the summer with a good book.
This was followed by freshly made tropical smoothies and a gentle fitness session with visiting physiotherapists from Six Physio.
In the afternoon, the home’s summer house was transformed into a tranquil retreat, complete with soft lighting and calming music. Residents were treated to hand massages, face masks and under-eye masks, while enjoying refreshments including a well-earned glass of wine.
Companionship Team Leader Vicky said: “Relaxation means something different to everyone, but our aim was to create a day where residents could focus on themselves, slow down and enjoy some simple pleasures. There was plenty of laughter and conversation, and the atmosphere in the summer house really did feel like a spa.”

Residents at Canford Chase in Poole were treated to a vibrant celebration of French culture as the home marked Bastille Day with food, music and colourful decorations inspired by one of France’s most iconic national holidays.
Bastille Day – commemorating the storming of the Bastille prison in 1789 and the start of the French Revolution – is observed across the world on July 14th with parades, fireworks and festivities.
For several Canford Chase residents with strong connections to France, including time spent living there or family ties, the occasion was a meaningful chance to reminisce and reconnect.

The home was dressed for the occasion with bunting, flags and themed table settings for an immersive French experience. Guests, including family and friends, joined residents for an afternoon of sensory exploration, complete with a tasting selection of French cheeses, crusty baguettes, wines and traditional nibbles.

“It was lovely to see so many people embracing the theme,” said Companionship Team Leader Vicky Day.

“Many of our residents have fond memories of France, and for some, this brought back vivid recollections of Bastille Day celebrations they experienced years ago. The food, the music, and even the berets really helped create that authentic feel.”
With French flags in hand and berets atop heads, residents chatted and shared stories, enjoying the atmosphere and shared sense of occasion. The event was part of Canford Chase’s wider programme of cultural celebrations designed to engage residents and honour the richness of their life experiences.

At Canford Chase in Branksome Park, we’re proud to be part of Colten Care’s ten-year recognition as one of the UK’s Top 20 large care home groups, an honour based on independent reviews from residents, families, and friends.
With an Outstanding rating from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and a 9.9 out of 10 score on Carehome.co.uk, Canford Chase stands out for its nurse-led residential, nursing, respite, and end-of-life care, delivered in a peaceful, purpose-built setting just moments from Parkstone, Sandbanks, and central Poole.
One family member shared:

“When my elderly parents-in-law reached a crisis point, we found immediate support and exceptional care at Canford Chase… The level of attention, communication, and quality of food and facilities were truly five-star.”

Another wrote:

“There is no comparison in the quality of care, the surroundings, and the feeling of home. The staff are superb, all there to help.”

Our home offers 54 spacious en-suite bedrooms, a welcoming café, salon, beautiful gardens, and a full programme of daily activities. Whether you’re looking for short-term respite or longer-term support, our team is committed to dignity, comfort, and truly personalised care — 24 hours a day.
Colten Care operates 21 homes across the South, all registered for nursing care, with seven rated Outstanding by the CQC and the remainder rated Good. Our group-wide review score remains a remarkable 9.9 out of 10.
Explore all our Poole care homes to find the right setting for you or your loved one.

Residents enjoyed Irish-themed fun as our care homes across the south celebrated St Patrick’s Day.
Team members dressed up, organised Irish dancing, served traditional hearty breakfasts, and, at Canford Chase in Poole, even created a pop-up bar in the reception area.

The ‘Canford Chase Arms’ featured authentic beer pumps, a welcome sign, mats and coasters and was decorated with Irish shamrocks.

The name was chosen by a resident who said: “Canford Chase is a welcoming space with fun, laughter and friendship.”

Companion Maddee Baker said: “This was a fun way to celebrate Ireland’s national day. We enjoyed the company of friends, family and staff to join us at the bar with a soundtrack of traditional music.

“Residents reminisced about visiting their local pubs in years gone by and what their favourite drinks were and there was a lot of laughter and Irish jigging.”

At Abbey View in Sherborne, Dorset, residents including Irishwoman Vivien Jackson tucked into an Irish-themed breakfast dubbed ‘Kissing the Blarney Stone’.

It featured bubble and squeak patties topped with a fried egg and accompanied with a square sausage. “It went down a treat,” said Vivien.

Abbey View Companion Kia Redshaw said: “Of course we had to look the part with oversized, clover glasses and lovely green tinsel headbands.”

At St Catherines View in Winchester, Irish resident Dee Hickey was treated to an interactive digital tour of her native Cork designed to bring back memories.

And this was followed by a ‘green party’ in the afternoon with staff and residents getting together for Irish dancing and ‘shimmering green’ drinks.

Colleagues from our 21 care homes and head office are celebrating success at an in-house awards ceremony.
A glittering black-tie evening saw individual and group wins in nine categories at the Colten Champions awards reflecting all aspects of the care mix.

We honoured excellence in nursing, caring, team work, support services and other ways staff make a positive difference to residents, families and each other.

There were more than 1,000 nominations across our homes in Dorset, Hampshire, West Sussex and Wiltshire and our head office in Ringwood.

Over 400 nominations were submitted by residents and relatives.

Bincy Thomas, Senior Care Lead at Brook View in West Moors, Dorset, said she was taken by complete surprise when she heard her name read out as the winner of the Caring Excellence Award.
Bincy said: “Many people work in support of residents’ care and so I knew others deserved the award too.

“Yes, I was a finalist but I really didn’t think I would win it. It was a surprise and then after I went up, everyone was congratulating me and my fellow carers and nurses were saying ‘you deserve it, we are so lucky you are here’.
Asked for her view of the qualities that produce ‘caring excellence’, Bincy said: “Remember that everything is centred around the resident. You should always be honest and friendly to them and their relatives. I try to take care of everyone as if they were my own family. You act as a problem solver and you support your colleagues on the floor. I look at the team as my sisters and brothers.”

Also a winner, picking up the award for Resident Impact, was Ildiko Csanalosine Fuves, a waitress at Braemar Lodge in Salisbury.
“I was shaking and crying when I heard I had won,” said Ildiko. “I am really honoured and so happy. People said such beautiful things about me. I am so thankful.”
The Values award, designed to recognise an individual who exemplifies Colten’s company values of being friendly, kind, individual, reassuring and honest was won by Senior Gardener Chris Marsh.

He said he was ‘truly humbled’ to be nominated and to go on and actually win it was ‘something else entirely’.
Chris, who has worked for Colten Care for ten years, added: “When the guiding principles and values of your employer align with your own, it makes your job that much more enjoyable and fulfilling.

“Working for a company that recognises the value of outdoor spaces, and promotes the well-being that comes from gardens, social interaction and mental stimulation, makes my role one to truly treasure.

“Colten invests so much in these values, and I am proud to be part of an ambitious team that shares and develops this vision.

“At the heart of everything we do is the best cause of all: our residents. We work tirelessly to give them the best experience possible, to heal and uplift them and ensure they feel safe and valued.”
The awards ceremony took place at the Bournemouth Highcliff Marriott Hotel after a champagne reception and dinner. Afterwards, guests danced to live music from pop rock party band We Are Robot.

Event host was Hampshire-based Manley Hopkinson, a polar explorer and round-the-world yachtsman.
Manley said: “It was a superb evening and the energy was infectious. It was an honour to present the awards and speak to the teams. I felt humbled and inspired in equal measure.”
Colten Care residents were represented by guest of honour Mollie Speirs who travelled to Bournemouth from her care home, Kingfishers in New Milton.

For every resident or relative nomination made, Colten Care donated £10 to their respective care home’s charity of the year.

Colten Care Chief Executive Mark Aitchison and Chief Operating Officer Elaine Farrer were both present to introduce the awards.
Mark said: “Colten Champions is a brilliant way to celebrate colleagues who truly embody our values and consistently go above and beyond.

“I thank all those who put in a nomination, including so many residents and relatives, and of course congratulate all the winners, finalists and nominees.

“Their success is richly deserved and it is a privilege to work with them.”

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.