Host Of Fun As Hampshire Care Home Celebrates Team’s Cultural Diversity

Team members from six different countries helped a Hampshire care home celebrate a day devoted to cultural diversity.

Colleagues from India, Portugal, Thailand, China, Germany and the Philippines joined families and residents at Colten Care’s Kingfishers in New Milton for a host of multicultural festivities.

The fun featured music, dancing, national costumes, traditional foodie treats and presentations with interesting facts about different regions and countries.

Companionship Team Leader Rose Arcellana, who is from the Philippines, said: “Our team is very cosmopolitan with staff members representing a lot of different nationalities. We thought it would be a great idea to get together and share a flavour of our backgrounds and home countries.

“The dances included a Philippine candle dance I performed with my compatriot Joy Condino, our Senior Care Lead.

“On the culinary side, our Portuguese Waitress Julieta Caires prepared a delicious dish of pork with garlic bread and potatoes served with a glass of sangria.

“This was a memorable afternoon for our residents. They loved the colour, the costumes, the dancing and the food.”

Resident Jeanne Wynn said: “It was amazing to see the staff showcasing their cultures and sharing them with us. My fellow residents and I thought it was fantastic.”

As well as the Philippines and Portugal, the countries represented were: China, by Senior Care Lead Faye Suenfa; India, by Health Carer Assistant Nanda Venugopalan; Thailand, by Health Care Assistant Noi Bayliss; and Germany, by Companionship Team member Christina Holliday.

Kingfishers Home Manager Zoe Mills said: “Having a truly multicultural team from so many backgrounds enables us to share experiences, skills and knowledge that enrich our workplace and our engagement with residents and their families. That’s certainly something to celebrate.”