Care home residents in and around Bournemouth have celebrated the King’s official birthday together.
Colten Care’s 21 homes in Dorset, Hampshire, Wiltshire and West Sussex marked the occasion with red, white and blue bunting, music, dancing, afternoon teas, quizzes, lunches and other get-togethers involving residents, relatives, friends, community guests and staff.
At Fernhill, a dedicated dementia care home in Longham near Bournemouth, residents filled the dance floor as visiting entertainer Kelly Lorraine performed singalong tunes chosen to help bring people together through familiar music.
Resident Monica Milne-Leigh said “music makes moments of happiness for people”, while Healthcare Assistant Ann Xavier said seeing residents enjoy themselves and share laughter with loved ones made the day “very rewarding”.
At Brook View in West Moors, residents prepared in advance by making Union Jack brooches and upcycling an old chest of drawers into a regal display piece, complete with peacock-patterned wallpaper.
Resident Ann Larkin said it was “a lot of fun” and good to see everyone working together, while Woodpeckers in Brockenhurst held afternoon tea with crowns residents had decorated earlier.
Several residents also have personal Royal links, including former Buckingham Palace worker Eve Walsh-Waring at Abbey View in Sherborne and former society milliner Louisa McIntyre at Belmore Lodge in Lymington.
Other homes taking part included Canford Chase in Poole, Newstone House in Sturminster Newton, Amberwood House in Ferndown and Avon Cliff in Bournemouth.
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