Residents shake it upwith a cocktailmasterclass: p3

Inside p6p4

Glorious gardensBelmore Lodge is thisyear’s winner of ourgardening awards : p4-5

Our tribute toKaren: p7

Who’s thishandsome youngchap who grew upto deliver? : p6

p7

COLTEN

Autumn 2016

s

continued on p2

While the eyes of theworld were on thesummer Rio games, wewent all sporty, too, forthe Lymington Carnival.

Residents from severalhomes were among a 60-strong Team Coltenwho featured in theprocession or watchedfrom a VIP viewing area atthe Town Hall.

Our walkers wereresplendent in an array ofsports kits – and the tasteof Brazil was completed bya decorated sailboat thatoffered a distinctive takeon those five famoussporting hoops. Giant ringsrepresented each of ourfive company values: kind,

friendly, individual,reassuring and honest.

Janie Pearman, BelmoreLodge Home Manager andhead of our parade team,said: “Everyone really gotinto the camaraderie andsamba vibe. ”

We also enjoyed VIPtreatment at the theRotary Club of Lymington’sSummer Spectacular.

Parties of residents werecollected from their homesby our minibus fleet andbrought directly to theshowground, where theyhad the use of a restfullounge. The aim was tocreate a pleasant andsupportive family

environment within easyreach of the many funevents, displays and standsthat made up the day.

Jo London, ActivitiesManager, said: “It waslovely to see our residentssmiling and relaxing at theSpectacular and theCarnival. There was a realfamily feeling about bothoccasions.”

lFor more details andpictures of the Carnivaland Summer Spectacular,visit our online edition atchronicle.ColtenCare.co.uk

Ratings up inannual survey Top ratings for care provision havebeen reached or maintained at anumber of homes, according to ourannual residents and relatives’survey.

Findings from the questionnaire,designed to give us useful pointersfor ongoing improvement, arebeing shared with residents,families and colleagues.

Results will support action onevery aspect of care, includingstaff-and-resident interaction,interior décor, Skype availability,food and drink menus, gardendesign, activities programmes andchoice of minibus trips.

Overall, feedback was verypositive. In the residents’ survey,done on paper, 91% of the 381 whoresponded said their care servicewas excellent or good. This is upfrom 87% last year.

In the accompanying online surveyfor relatives and friends, tenhomes were rated excellent orgood by 100% of respondents.

Those in Hampshire wereWoodpeckers, Court Lodge andBelmore Lodge. In Dorset, 100%ratings were given to Abbey View,Avon Cliff, Amberwood House,Canford Chase, Brook View, TheAldbury and Whitecliffe House.Watch the

videoVisit www.youtube.com/ColtenCare

Fun in the sun: Team Colten at the Lymington Carnival

Samba spectacular!www.ColtenCare.co.uk

2 NEWS

www.ColtenCare.co.uk

Great days outWelcome to our autumn 2016 edition which we leadwith a report of our residents enjoying two majorcommunity events, the Lymington Carnival andSummer Spectacular.

What great days out these were, both from theresidents’ point of view and for our homes’ interactionwith the communities we serve. A great deal ofplanning and professionalism was required and I offermy personal thanks to everyone who was involved.

Our presence at these events is one aspect of thelegacy of our dear colleague Karen Burdon who sadlypassed away in the summer. Karen’s contribution tothe well-being of our residents over many years hasbeen huge. As Activities Manager, she wasinstrumental in creating and developing our homes’activities programmes. She really put activitiesalongside clinical care, social care and hotel servicesas an essential pillar of residents’ quality of life. Herinfluence is evident every day in the work of ourActivities Organisers and will be appreciated for a longtime to come. In this edition, we share some photomemories of Karen as a tribute to her and her work.

Among other features this time round, our regular ‘20Questions’ spot involves John Carter, our Plant andTransport Manager. John has been project-managingour move to a new office hub in Ringwood. It replacesour two existing Ringwood offices and one inLymington and enables us to house our supportservices in one, more central place.

Colleagues, residents and relatives have beenresponding to our call for nominations for the NationalCare Awards. The wide range of categories coversroles including carers, nurses, managers, clinicalleaders, activities co-ordinators, housekeepers andchefs. As I write, we’ve had more than 100nominations submitted. We of course wish everyonethe very best of luck and we will report back on anyfinalists or winners next time.

I hope you enjoy this edition of the Chronicle. You canreceive more information on individual homes byjoining the mailing list for our quarterly communitynewsletters. Please speak with your Home Manager,or send an email to marketing@ColtenCare.co.ukand we will add you to the list.

As ever, if you have any feedback on the Chronicle orknow of a story we’ve missed, please tell us atContactUs@ColtenCare.co.uk

MarkAitchison,

ChiefExecutive,

Colten Care Leading castmembers from themusical comedy ‘HalfA Sixpence’ tooktime out from theircritically-acclaimedsummer run atChichester FestivalTheatre (CFT) toperform atWellington Grange.

Charlie Stemp, whoplays Arthur Kipps,was joined by fellowactors Emma Williamsand Devon-EliseJohnson to entertainresidents with songsfrom the show.

“We were thrilled tohave them here,” said95-year-old HalcyonMcLaren. “It was justlike they were on stage. We wishwe could have given them astanding ovation but, as many ofus are wobbly on our feet, wesettled for giving them one withour hearts.”

The exclusive performance wasarranged under a partnership wehave agreed with CFT. The aim isto bring interactive theatredirectly into the home, whileoffering residents, families andfriends priority access to eventsand tickets at CFT.

Emily Hudson, ActivitiesOrganiser at Wellington Grange,said: “The Half A Sixpence visitwas not only about giving thosegoing to the show a sneakpreview. It also meant that

residents who were unable to gocould enjoy a version of their ownwith friends and family right hereand with the real cast.”

Vicky Gregory, CorporateManager at CFT, said: “Thepartnership with WellingtonGrange is unique for us as atheatre. The Half A Sixpence visitwas just the first of a number ofbespoke events we are planningto create for the residents.”

lFor more details and pictures ofthe event, visit our online editionat chronicle.ColtenCare.co.uk

‘Sixpence’ stars atWellington Grange

Ninety-seven per cent of all theresponses from relatives andfriends rated the overall qualityof care and service at ourhomes as excellent or good.This is up from 95% in 2015.

Elaine Farrer, OperationsDirector, said: “We thankeveryone who responded onthis occasion to our annualsurvey. Specific comments onaspects of care will all beaddressed as part of ourcontinual journey ofimprovement.”

from p1s

Survey results

Half A Sixpence leading actor Charlie Kemp withHalcyon McLaren

Watch thevideo

Visit www.youtube.com/ColtenCare

NEWS 3

Autumn 2016

The finishing touches arebeing made to our first ever‘total home refurbishment’,an 18-month project thathas transformed Abbey Viewin Sherborne.

The work, all done using in-house skills, ensures we cancontinue to provide thehighest standards of care forour residents and theirfamilies.

The first phase wascompleted last year and

involved a more welcomingfoyer, new in-house café,improved hairdressing salonand brighter dining room.

The second stage has seenfurther improvements to thebuilding, interiors and utilityservices, includingoverhauling a number ofbedrooms with en-suiteshowers. Garden featuressuch as a new seating areaand pergola have also beenadded.

Completing the project is arange of behind-the-scenesimprovements to the likes ofthe plumbing, electrics andcall bell systems.

“This was a genuine top-to-toe refurbishment takingplace in a fully functioningcare home where peoplespend their daily lives,” saidContracts Manager ColinClifford.

He paid tribute to residents,families and staff, including

Home Manager Jo Ellis, fortheir understanding andsupport, adding: “Hats off tothem. I can’t sing their praiseshighly enough.

“They were great to workwith and the result is aphenomenal uplift.”

Other homes with majorrefurbishment projects thisyear include Canford Chase inPoole, Avon Cliff inBournemouth and WhitecliffeHouse in Blandford.

Abbey View refurb completes

Fernhill residents relived theirchildhood with a visit from a traditionalice cream van.

Family business Jim's Superwhip set upstore outside the dementia care homein Longham near Bournemouth as partof a reminiscence project.

As the van's chimes rang out across thegarden, residents were invited torecollect early memories of queuing up,and enjoying, a traditional ice cream.

Ann-Marie Knight, Activities Organiser,said: “From hearing the musical chimesto the physical act of handing over themoney, the visit succeeded in its aim ofunlocking childhood memories. Theidea is likely to be taken up by otherColten Care homes specialising indementia care.”

Ice cream van visitchimes with residentsat Dorset care homeBelmore Lodge residents took a

master class in making cocktailsand alcohol-free mocktails beforeholding their own ‘beach’ party.

They learned the ropes frombarman Daniel Rios at The Havenbar at Lymington’s Yacht Havenmarina. Daniel created the drinksbased on residents’ suggestionsand flavours inspired by theBelmore Lodge gardens.

Activities Organiser Claire Fryersaid: “He asked them aboutBelmore Lodge and learned howmuch they love the lavender in ourgardens, so he created a gin-basedcocktail with lavender oil andblueberries, which they reallyenjoyed.” Mocktail suggestionsresulted in a blend of cranberryjuice, cucumber and mint.

Rob Smith, who owns The Havenbar with TV and radio presenterChris Evans, said: “This is the firsttime we have hosted a party of carehome residents – everyone seemedto really enjoy themselves.”

Staff and residents later recreatedthe drinks for a party in BelmoreLodge's beach-themed sensory‘sun cove’.

Cocktail hour!

Chilled out: Fernhill residents Marjorie Lee(second left) and Margaret Johnson (right)with Activities Organiser Anne Marie-Knight(left), Colten Companion Heather Almondand Gavin Coppard of Jim’s Superwhip.

Watch thevideo

Visit www.youtube.com/ColtenCare

Belmore Lodge Home Manager JaniePearman with Haven barman Daniel Rios

Cheers: Haven staff Isabella Springett,Dan Rios and Ellie McIntosh with Janie,serving residents Chushan Camm andJanette Banks

4 FOCUS FEATURE

www.ColtenCare.co.uk

FOCUS FEATURE 5

Bumper crop of garden success

Autumn 2016

Belmore Lodge has won the titleof Best Overall Garden for thefirst time at our annualgardening awards.

Announcing the judges’ decision,our Head Gardener CharlesHubberstey praised the work ofBelmore gardener David Aylieff-Sansom and the residents’garden club.

Charles said: “Since he joined latelast year, and with the supportand enthusiasm of residentgardeners Bill, Mary and others atthe home, David has ensured thegarden is a colourful and vibrantplace that is loved and nurturedby all who use it.

“As well as a new herbaceousborder, there is a new vegetablepatch fulfilling some of thedemands of chef Nigel for freshproduce.

“Up to a dozen residents regularlyparticipate in the garden club,growing many of the plants,flowers and vegetables.

“Weather permitting, staff alsohave their morning meetings inthe garden and, increasingly,many residents now enjoy thegarden walk that has been opened

up right around the home.”

Runner-up for Best Garden wasBrook View in West Moorswhich, explained Charles, “hasbeen transformed by PeteBurns the gardener”.

“His tireless efforts havebrought wonderful colour,interest and taste over manyyears. Among the practicalchallenges faced at Brook Vieware the regular visits by deer,which like a varied diet of allgarden plants!”

The award for Best FloralEntrance went to the courtyardgarden at Whitecliffe House inBlandford.

Charles said: “Joan Batchelor,the gardener, has created acolourful display of pots,troughs and baskets, andcompletely involved theresidents. They wanted to growmore veg – so that’s what she’sdone.

“With trips to the garden centreto buy seed and compost, andpropagating trays placedstrategically around everyavailable window ledge, thegarden now hosts sweetcorn,

beetroot, tomatoes, potatoes,strawberries and herbs. There’seven an apple tree, fan-trainedagainst the laundry wall.”

Thanking all the residents, staffand volunteers at our homeswho took part in thecompetition, Charles added:“This year’s judging was harderthan ever, which is a tribute tothe whole team of gardenerswho, without exception, havemade our gardens intobeautiful, stimulating andincreasingly well-used livingspaces.

“Our gardens are alsobecoming better known in thewider communities we servewith involvement in ‘opengarden’ community days, suchas Pennington Open Gardensand Blandford HiddenGardens.”

lAside from our in-housecompetition, Braemar Lodge inSalisbury is a contender onceagain in the Salisbury CityCouncil Gardening Awards. Thehome won the top award lastyear and the year before. We’llreport on how this year’s entrydoes in our next edition.

Through the seasons: Belmore Lodge’s gardens have been a riot of colour, from the spring snowdops (far right) to the summer poppies (left)

Belmore Lodgestaff andresidentscelebratewinning thisyear’s gardencompetition.The home hasan activeresidents’garden club andeven staffmeetings areheld outdoorswheneverpossible Runner up: Brook View in West Moors

The Belmore Lodge gardens are a riot of colour, whatever the weather a British summer can throw at it!

Best entrance: Whitecliffe House in Blandford

6 STAFF FOCUS

www.ColtenCare.co.uk

Q:Who was your first childhood hero?A: John Wayne. Even when he played abaddy he always did the right thing andended up with the girl.

Q:What would be your ideal holiday?A: Working on a dude ranch in Montanaplaying at being a cowboy.

Q:What are you superstitious about?A: The number 13. I once sold a carbecause the number plate added up to 13!

Q:Who would you most like to betrapped in a lift with?A: Carroll Shelby. He was the greatestmotor engineer of the 20th century andknew many famous racing drivers. Thetales he could tell!

Q:Who do you most admire?A: Anyone who works hard to betterthemselves.

Q:What car do you drive?A: Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Q:What makes you angry?A: Bullies. They are the lowest of the low.

Q:What is your favourite smell?A: Chanel No 5.

Q:Cats or dogs?A: Both.

Q:What is the first thing you do whenyou wake up in the morning?A: Tell the dog to get off the bed.

Q:What is your earliest memory?A: Trying to eat a banana with the skinon. Nobody told me you had to peel itfirst.

Q:Which TV/radio programme do youtry never to miss?A: None.

Q:What is the best thing about yourrole?A: The diversity. You never know what’scoming next.

Q:And what is the worst?A: Getting up at 6am.

Q:What would be your desert islandluxury?A: My dog Peppe. He’s a good friendand never argues with me.

Q:What do you wish you were good at?A: Playing a musical instrument.

Q:What has been the crowningmoment in your life to date?A: Delivering my youngest daughter.That separates the men from the boys!

Q:What is your favourite meal?A: Roast chicken with all the trimmings.

Q:What would be your dream job?A: Running a company that restoredclassic cars.

Q: If you could bring something extinctback to life what would it be?A: The words ‘please’ and ‘thank you’.Their demise was some time in the lastcentury.

Our nine-strong Plant andTransport team supports our 20homes from a 16,000 sq-metrewarehouse on the Ampressindustrial park in Lymington. Aswell as driving the minibuses thatenable residents to enjoy days out,the team sources and supplies allkinds of items for homes fromspecialist nursing beds to even theLinden House grand piano. ManagerJohn Carter has recently beenclosely involved with our move to anew Ringwood head office hub.That has involved supplying thetemporary site office, canteenfacilities and many constructiontools required during the build. Weasked John to reveal a little moreabout himself.

Name: John Carter

Age: 66

Job title and brief description ofrole: Plant and Transport Manager. Ihave a wide range ofresponsibilities including beinginvolved from the initial concept ofa new home, such as looking atsuitable accommodation for thebuilders, right the way though tosupplying plant and materials forthe construction work, and finallydelivering catering equipment forthe opening ceremony.

Career history: I left school withfew qualifications and went to workin the family garage business. As Iwas basically unemployableanywhere else, I ended up runningthe business until my father died,when it was sold. I then went intoplant and transport as a fitter andworked my way up to manager,running several large repair centresbefore joining the Colten group in2007.

Interests: Freemasonry, classiccars, fly fishing.

In an averagemonth, ourPlant andTransportcolleaguescarry out 137deliveries toour homes,covering 5,500 miles, and provide105 mini bus trips on behalf ofresidents, covering 5,000 miles.

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TRIBUTE 7

Autumn 2016

It was with great sadness that welearned of the passing of KarenBurdon in the summer.

As overall Activities Manager forseveral years, Karen was responsiblefor a 37-strong group of ActivitiesOrganisers and minibus drivers.

She stayed in that role until Jo Londonjoined us in September 2014 to shareactivities management.

Karen then concentrated onsupporting the Activities Organisers atour New Forest, Salisbury andWinchester homes.

Karen was instrumental in our policy oflinking our residents’ activitiesprogrammes with fundraising for goodcauses.

Thanks in no small part to her, ourActivities Organisers, residents,colleagues and volunteers have raisedmore than £140,000 for charities in thepast six years. The latest annual total,for 2015, was the highest yet at£32,000.

As well as coming up with creativefundraising initiatives, Karen devisedand developed ideas for activities suchas scarecrow competitions, lots of

other arts and crafts activities, fancydress events and managed the roll-callof visiting entertainers.

She leaves a strong legacy and ethosaround the importance of activities as apillar of our overall care proposition,alongside clinical and social care andhotel services. Her testimony is thesuperb, ongoing work of our ActivitiesOrganisers.

At the time of writing, we are lookinginto the idea of creating an‘outstanding activity’ award in herhonour. Here we share a fewphotographic memories of Karen.

All dressed up at a vintage fashionshow held at Canford Chase,raising £1,500 for the YouthCancer Trust (above, left);celebrating Castle View’s 10thbirthday in 2012 (above), andstanding in the centre of herActivities Organisers and minibusdrivers ahead of a group meetingat Brook View (left).

A tribute to Karen BurdonMemories of Karen: At an RNLI fundraising night at Belmore Lodge (above, left – Karen is in the centre) and at the opening of The Aldburydementia garden (Karen is on the far right, holding the ribbon).

8 COLTEN CARE PEOPLE

www.ColtenCare.co.uk

Written and produced for Colten Care by Deep South Media Ltd. Tel: 01202 534487 www.deepsouthmedia.co.ukPrinted on 200gsm silk paper sourced from sustainable forests by Yellow Box Communications Ltd, Bournemouth

Having spent her entirecareer in nursing andcare homemanagement, JackySylvester was an idealchoice for OperationsManager.

Her new role involvesresponsibility for eightof our homes in Poole,Bournemouth, WestMoors, Longham,Winchester andSalisbury. Jacky visitsthem regularly tosupport the HomeManagers and ensurethat the homes are runin accordance with ourvalues and are safe,effective andcompliant with CQC.

“I look after the wholegamut of operations,”she explained. “No twodays are the same butyou are always seeking

a consistent balance ofcare standards acrossthe group.”

Jacky has a fascinatingCV. She has lived inGermany, Cyprus,Hong Kong and SouthAfrica, where shehelped set up a primaryhealth clinic in Sowetoto support families ofminers working for thegiant AngloGoldcorporation.

She was also a regionalmanager for a nationalcare home provider inthe UK.

Jacky is impressed

with Colten Care’sapproach to care,adding: “It is reallyrewarding to come toan organisation thatevaluates all the timeand has staffing thatactually reflects needs.”

Jacky said: “Until Icame, I didn’t quiteappreciate howbeautiful our homesare. We don’t doanything by halfmeasures. This is agreat organisation towork for and as I getfurther into the role, Iwould like my carehomes to be ratedoutstanding in CQCinspections in as manyareas as possible. I ama really determinedperson. If I put my mindto something I reallywant to achieve it.”

Sonia Lambe, our new HR Administrator,spent 12 years in the motor industrybecoming a ‘handover specialist’ – literallyhanding over new BMWs and Audis tocustomers. “It was a rewarding, people-oriented role with the chance to drive somevery nice cars,” she recalled.

Eventually opting for a change of direction,Sonia went into the recruitment field, initiallyfor a High Street agency in Bournemouth andlater for the multi-national banking andfinancial services company JP Morgan.

Coming straight from a big globalorganisation, her first impressions of ColtenCare are very positive. “It’s still got thatfamily feel and I really like the Colten Carevalues. Everyone is very proud of what theydo and devoted to who they are helping.”

Based in Ringwood and reporting to CaraghMacdonald, Senior HR Business Partner,Sonia supports the whole HR team through awide range of duties, including themanagement and audit of staff files andobtaining and checking references for newrecruits.

Asked about her goals in the job, Sonia said:“In the early days, I’m just trying toremember people’s names. Longer term, Iwant to help update some processes andmake the role my own. I’m very much lookingforward to having a long and successfulcareer here. I’ve already met some fabulouspeople.”

Surrey-born Sonia moved out of London fora change of lifestyle around ten years ago.She says she was quickly followed by heryounger brother and now her parents areplanning to relocate in our area too.

Living in Ringwood with husband Jay, Soniahas just acquired an allotment so, away fromher desk, she can spend lots of timeoutdoors.

Sonia revs up for HR role

Jacky’s sense of determination

Dee returns for promotionDee Lovewell has crossedtown in Winchester on areturn trip to her formerhome, Abbotts Barton.

Promoted to the role ofHome Manager, she iskeen to apply lots of newmanagement experiencegained during her time atour dementia care homein the city, St Catherines View.

Born and raised in South Africa,Dee joined Colten Care in 2003 asa nurse at Brook View in WestMoors. She was promoted toHead of Care at Abbotts Barton in2006 and, during a spell as interimmanager, led the home to achievea ‘good’-rated CQC inspection.

Dee has been Head of Clinical Careat St Catherines View, workingalongside Home Manager VandaBaker, since early 2015.

Dee said: “With Vanda’s help, Ihave learned a lot about differentmanagement styles and I want to

utilise these skills in mynew position. What I willtake with me from StCatherines View is thehome’s strong person-centred approach.That’s all aboutrecognising thateveryone is an individualand ensuring that thestaff’s way of working is

less task-oriented and morefocused on each resident.

“At Abbotts Barton I want toensure that every resident has afantastic time and that our ColtenCare values are truly wellembedded. I’m really lookingforward to taking the home to thenext level.”

Dee added: “I’m an overseas nursewho has had a journey through theranks only because of the fantasticsupport network here at ColtenCare. It’s a company thatgenuinely enables you toprogress.”