‘Outstanding’ New Forest Care Home Celebrates 30th Birthday
A New Forest care home which is ‘outstanding’ in every sense of the word has celebrated its 30th anniversary with a special party.
Woodpeckers in Brockenhurst was the second nursing home to be opened by Ringwood-based Colten Care and is now the highest rated in the company’s current portfolio of 20 homes.
It was declared ‘Outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in 2018 and is one of four Colten Care homes to receive the accolade. The other 16 homes are rated as good.
Special guests at the birthday party included Cllr Anne Corbridge, Mayor of Lymington and Pennington; Colten Care joint founder John Colwell and Ian Hudson, Director.
Cllr Corbridge said her visit left her with mixed emotions as she had come to know the home well over the two and a half years that her mother, Marjorie, had been a resident
“I feel nostalgic and not a little sad as my mother passed away while a resident. She had the most superb care anyone could have had,” Cllr Corbridge said.
Mark Aitchison, Colten Care’s Chief Executive, said that as well as delivering high quality care, Woodpeckers had become a key part of the Brockenhurst and wider New Forest communities.
He added: “Your ‘Outstanding’ rating illustrates that, while the buildings are important, what makes the difference is the team and you have 30 years of knowledge and experience to draw on.”
Guests, including residents and staff, were entertained by songs from the Fernhill Choir, comprising staff and also a resident, Michael Naylor, from Colten Care’s Fernhill home in Longham, Dorset.
Cllr Corbridge also unveiled a plaque for a fruit tree which will form part of a newly planted orchard in the grounds of Woodpeckers.
Katie Whiteside, Home Manager, said the anniversary party had been a “fabulous” event which had been greatly enjoyed by residents, families and staff. “It’s still the talk of the town,” she added.
