Ed note: Even with gorgeous weather January's a tough month! Which is why this story about care home and businesses working together is a lovely win win for the local community and its local hospice too. 

Care home team helps Dorset community banish the winter blues

Residents and staff at a Poole care home have done their bit to help the community chase the winter blues away.

Inspired by mid-January’s ‘Blue Monday’ – said by some to be the northern hemisphere’s most depressing day of the year – the team at Colten Care’s Bourne View set out to cheer people up.

Colleagues delivered afternoon tea hampers to nearby businesses and organisations who in return made donations to the Lewis Manning Hospice. Altogether, £690 was raised.

As well as homemade tasty treats such as brownies, scones and sausage rolls, inside each hamper was a poem with positive and uplifting messages suggested by residents.

Thanks to residents and to Fiona! 

The ideas were gathered in an earlier arts session with Colten Care’s Music and Arts Partner Fiona Pritchard.

As the hampers were being delivered, Fiona also performed a ‘Bye, Bye Monday’ blues song that residents had learned and practised in their session.    

Bourne View Home Manager Jenna May said: “January can understandably be a tricky time of year, especially after the high of Christmas.

“We wanted to take this opportunity to reconnect with our community and bring a smile to everyone’s faces while at the same time raising money for a worthy cause.”  

Resident Brian Jones, who also made a personal donation, said: “It’s amazing what joy a smile, a song and a hamper delivery can bring.”

Hamper recipients included Kings Park Hospital, Lester Aldridge Solicitors, BWT Physio and hospital equipment supplier Courtney Thorne.  

In a note to Bourne View, Barry Vacher, Marketing Manager at Courtney Thorne, said: “What fantastic hampers.  I think it's safe to say that the team are particularly happy. Thank you so much, and glad we could contribute to such a great cause as well.

Lewis-Manning Hospice Care

Established 30 years ago, Poole-based Lewis-Manning Hospice Care supports nearly 500 individuals and families every year with a range of hospice services in Dorset. It is one of two main charities to be supported by staff and residents at Bourne View this year. The other is disability charity Diversity Abilities.

Top image: 

Outside Bourne View with hamper boxes ready to go, are, from left: Julie Steele, Bourne View Customer Support Advisor; Magdalena Zipinska and Olivia Singer from Lester Aldridge Solicitors; Bourne View Home Manager Jenna May; Chef Annabelle Bryer; and Companionship Team members Brian Ramsay and Zoe Rose.

Second image:

With hamper boxes inside Bourne View are, from left: Companionship Team member Zoe Rose, Home Manager Jenna May, Customer Support Advisor Julie Steele and Companionship Team member Brian Ramsay.

Find out more about Colten Care