Ballroom dance fans living at a Dorset care home are set to enjoy an exclusive view of rehearsals for a glittering community dance competition.

As headline partner for Forest Holme Hospice’s award-winning Strictly Extravaganza, Colten Care will host selected practice sessions in the run-up to the final in January 2027.

They will take place at the provider’s art deco-themed Poole care home Bourne View in the autumn and winter giving residents there a close-up opportunity to see routines under development being performed live in their lounge.

Residents at fellow Colten Care homes in and around the BCP conurbation will be offered the chance to come along too.

Strictly Extravaganza is Forest Holme’s biggest annual fundraising event, designed to support the charity’s specialist palliative and end-of-life care services across Dorset. Last year’s contest raised £80,000.

There is added interest for Colten Care this year with Senior Marketing & Events Manager Laura Davis stepping up as one of ten amateur contestants who will each partner with a professional dancer.

Laura said:

“Strictly Extravaganza is all about saying yes to something that feels a little daunting, knowing it’s all for an amazing cause. There’ll definitely be plenty of laughs and a few aching muscles along the way but if it helps raise money for Forest Holme it’ll be worth every step.”

Among the Bourne View residents set to enjoy the practice sessions is Irene Whyment, who said:

“It will be lovely to welcome these talented dancers to come in and perform just for us. We’re really looking forward to it.”

Bourne View was also the venue for the launch of this year’s contest, an evening that brought together contestants, sponsors, Forest Holme team members and supporters from Colten Care.

The training programme for contestants is being led by Championship dancer Oliver Beardmore.

In the coming months he will provide expert guidance as the ‘Strictly stars’ progress their intensive rehearsals in styles such as waltz, tango, foxtrot, quickstep and jive.

Claire Cooper, Events and Challenges Manager at Forest Holme Hospice Charity, said:

“Over the next six months the amateur contestants, all drawn from the local community, will work incredibly hard with their professional partners, learning routines that are completely outside most of their comfort zones while raising vital funds to support our work. We can’t wait to watch their journeys unfold.”

Strictly Extravaganza made its debut in 2023 and was this year crowned Special Event of the Year at the national charity sector Emma Awards.

The finals night for this year’s contest takes place at Lighthouse Poole on Saturday 23 January 2027.

After a drinks reception and three-course gala dinner, the evening will see the ten couples compete for the coveted glitterball trophy before a 350-strong audience and a panel of judges from the dance world.