Christmas at Colten Care Homes - Carols and Cinderella

Candlelit Carols at Linden House and Cinderella at Woodpeckers

Residents at Colten Care homes in Lymington and Brockenhurst were busy before Christmas, gathering together to enjoy professional pantomime performances and atmospheric candlelit carol services. 

People with dementia enjoy singing songs known well known in the past

The words of songs sung regularly in the past are remembered by many people with dementia long after other treasured memories have faded, making the experience of singing a particularly enjoyable and beneficial experience even when dementia is advanced and everyday speech fails.

Residents of Linden House Dementia Care Home in Lymington gathered together with relatives and the children of some of the carers to enjoy the very special atmosphere of the candlelit carol service, and joined enthusiastically singing along with the team of Companions who led the proceedings.  They then enjoyed mince pies, mulled wine and hot chocolate together .

Pantomime participation a Christmas treat for former panto dame  

Meanwhile former panto dame Stanley now resident of Woodpeckers Care Home in Brockenhurst. met some modern day ugly sisters when a  band of actors brought a festive performance of Cinderella to entertain the residents.

Stanley, 91, explained: “As a young man I moved from Liverpool to Gloucestershire to work on a farm. I didn’t know anyone so I joined the local amateur dramatics club to meet friends.  Little did I know that I would meet the love of my life Betty and also discover a talent for playing dames!” 

Stanley and Betty were married for 48 years and enjoyed many happy years of performing together on stage.

Stanley said: “It was my wife who had all the talent. I think I got parts mainly because I was tall and had quite a soft voice. My particular favourite was playing Widow Twanky.
“But they were good times and I now have a scrapbook of many happy memories.”

Stanley added: “It’s been lovely to see the show today and meet the actors. I did manage to show them a few of my dance moves which gave them a laugh. But nowadays it’s nice to sit back and leave it to the professionals!”

Caren Pearson of the Woodpeckers Companionship team said: “Everyone has had a lovely time watching the show.  “Carousel came to us all the way from Chiswick in London and put on a fabulous performance - and it was great to see Stanley so in his element.”

With more than 30 years’ experience, Colten Care is an award-winning local family-owned care home company. It has 20 quality care homes covering Hampshire, Dorset, Wiltshire and Sussex and offers a range of services spanning residential, nursing and dementia care.  

Colten Care's Linden House in Lymington is a dedicated specialist dementia care home which has recently been given the rating "Outstanding" by the independent authority the Care Quality Commission, whilst Woodpeckers is a lovely residential Colten owned care home set in peaceful and beautiful gardens on the edge of Brockenhurst village.