A care home provider held an afternoon party to recognise and celebrate dozens of colleagues who have given 20 or more years’ service.

Seventy Colten Care staff from the company’s 21 homes in the south and Ringwood head office came together to dine and have fun at the Harbour Hotel in Christchurch, Dorset. It was the latest meeting of members of the ‘Colten Club’, an informal group set up in 2019 to honour long service, loyalty and commitment.

There are currently 106 employees who have reached the 20-year milestone, with 19 more set to ‘join the club’ during 2025. Representing all departments, both clinical and support, they have amassed a remarkable 2,344 years of service between them.

This year, three long-termers with 25 years’ service - Vivien Taylor, Susan Gunn and Karen Luke - each received framed certificates and £1,250 shopping vouchers.

George Colwell, Co-Chairman and Estates Director, who presented the certificates, said:

“It’s the contribution of generations of team members that has made us so successful as a care home provider. And we are fortunate to have such an inspiring group of long-servers who have each stayed for more than 20 years and shown amazing individual commitment.”

Guests were welcomed with drinks and had the chance to have their faces sketched by Grooves Caricatures during the reception. This was followed by a three-course meal, garden games and cocktails to round off the afternoon.

Colten Club member Lorna Parsons, Chef at the Poole care home Bourne View, was one of those attending. Lorna was a teenager when she began working for Colten Care in 1998 as a part-time dishwasher and waitress.

In 2002 she became the company’s first apprentice chef, training at The Bournemouth & Poole College.

After qualifying, she became second chef at Belmore Lodge in Lymington and went on to lead the kitchen team at Amberwood House in Ferndown.

In 2022, she achieved national recognition by being crowned Chef of the Year at the prestigious National Care Awards.

Lorna, who has recognised the mentoring and support she received from recently retired Hotel Services Manager Fergus Davitt, said:

“I have had huge support. It was Fergus who gave me my first job all those years ago and he was always there for me, pushing me to be better. He and so many other people at Colten have been such a huge support to me in my career.”

In previous years, the Colten Club has met for celebratory outings at the Bombay Sapphire gin distillery in Whitchurch near Winchester and at the Chewton Glen Hotel in the New Forest.