Proud colleagues from across the Colten Group received heartfelt cheers as they collected their Colten Champions trophies at a spectacular black-tie ceremony.

The second year of our in-house awards attracted more than 1,000 nominations – double the number in 2018 – with a big increase in entries submitted by residents and relatives.

Categories reflected all aspects of what we do, with titles including Caring Excellence, Dining Experience, Values, Team of the Year and Living Our Dementia Promise.

Shining a light: Dr Hilary Jones hosted

Once again, TV presenter Dr Hilary Jones hosted the evening at the Bournemouth Highcliff Marriott Hotel.

On arrival, nominees enjoyed a red-carpet reception before stepping into the specially decorated ballroom for the dinner and ceremony.

Our residents were represented by Honorary Guest Tom Storey, a Colten Care resident,  who also attended last year’s event.

Tom, who was on-stage to present Healthcare Assistant Abner Saclayan with the award for Resident Engagement, said: “It was lovely to be able to return and I was surprised and delighted that staff and guests from other homes recognised me, especially considering all the different people they must have seen over the last 12 months.

“Everyone was friendly and made me feel very welcome. On my return to the home, I was greeted warmly by the night staff, and we sat up and chatted about it all over a nice cup of tea, which was a perfect end to a perfect evening.”

Abner said: “I feel so honoured and grateful to be recognised for what we do for our residents and it was very sweet to receive the award from Tom, who I can honestly call a good friend.”

Resident Tom Storey (centre) returned as our Honorary Guest to present the Resident Engagement award to Healthcare Assistant Abner Saclayan (right)

The Founders’ Award, decided specially by directors and co-founders John Colwell and Adrian Otten, was presented to Fergus Davitt, our Hotel Services Manager, for his ‘long-standing and unswerving commitment to the business’.

Fergus said: “When they read out my name it was a complete surprise. I had no idea it was going to be me. I feel grateful and humbled as I have a lot of respect for them. The fact that they chose me is a real compliment.”

Praising the evening, Dr Hilary said: “This was a happy, memorable occasion that truly reflected the importance of quality delivered consistently by a team working together for the benefit of residents. Everyone was pleased to take part and found it genuinely rewarding to be there.”

After the presentations, guests danced the night away to live music from the Volatile Agents, a group of GPs, consultants and other healthcare professionals who describe themselves as the ‘best medical rockpunkfunkrapsoul band in the whole of East Dorset’.

The Winners – And What The Judges Said

Warm Welcome

Valerie Barton (‘Stan’), CastleView

‘Stan’ adds real fun to the residents’ lives.

In Home Team of the Year

CastleView

This team are very much ‘One Team’ and, for many residents, their family.

Colten Star

Priya Joseph, Belmore Lodge

Clinically excellent, inspirational, an invaluable tutor, Priya is always smiling and rises to whatever challenge comes her way.

Clinical Excellence

Theresa Sales, Canford Chase

Inspirational, leads by example, and empowers others.

Clinical Excellence

Deborah Davies, Linden House

Described as ‘positively perfect’ in every way, Deborah truly captures the essence of ‘going the extra mile’

Dining Excellence

Adrian Tomescu, Abbotts Barton

Adrian understands so well the individual needs of residents, with an amazing ability to remember and list off everyone’s likes and dislikes.

Colten Newcomer

Tracey Tardif, Fernhill

Her primary focus always is what she can do for the residents. Tracey pays great care and attention to detail, bringing the outside in.

Resident Engagement

Abner Saclayan, Canford Chase

Abner typifies how residents’ lives can be enhanced through taking time to get to know them and engaging with their interests

Values Award

Linda Brownlie, Colten House

Linda personifies our values, she is a shining example and always professional. She has the company and residents at heart.

Support Team of the Year

Refurbishment Team

They become an integral part of the home while delivering major refurbishment projects

Living Our Dementia Promise

Fernhill Home Team

The team truly demonstrate how residents can live well with dementia

The Founders’ Award

Fergus Davitt

Our Hotel Services Manager, Fergus, was chosen by co-founders John Colwell and Adrian Otten for his ‘long-standing and unswerving commitmentto the business’.

See photos from the awards evening here.

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