Sport for all ages as Colten Care teams up with West Hants

Posted on 19th Sep 2018

 

Residents at a group of nursing and residential homes are enjoying regular access to The West Hants Club thanks to an innovative partnership.

 

Family-owned Colten Care has teamed up with The West Hants Club in a move that will help residents with a love of sport to continue to see it close up. It will also support talented youngsters seeking to play sport at higher levels. Under the two-year agreement, residents of seven care homes in Bournemouth, Poole and East Dorset can go to the club to watch games, either brought along by their families or on minibus trips. Up to six residents at a time can also use the club swimming pool for an hour on weekday afternoons.

 

The partnership was launched with a visit by residents from Avon Cliff care home in Bournemouth in May.  Then in August, Residents travelled by minibus from the Colten Care homes for the final day’s play at the 97th Bournemouth Open tournament. As well as being given a prime spot to watch the action, the Colten party met some of the competitors and West Hants Chief Executive Peter Elviss. They were also fed and watered throughout the day.  Jim Smith, 92, who lives at Amberwood House in Ferndown, said: “It was wonderful. Everyone was so kind and the people at the club looked after us regally. They were so thoughtful and did everything they could for us, including bringing out much appreciated cold water on what was a very sunny day”. Just yards from where Virginia Wade and Ken Rosewall won their respective titles in 1968, the visitors stood rackets in hand to survey the facilities and take a tour round before a celebration lunch. “We all had a really lovely time,” said Avon Cliff resident Anne Cardwell. “It was a beautiful sunny day and everyone was so welcoming.”

 

Peter Elviss, Chief Executive of The West Hants Club, said: “We and Colten Care have a shared commitment to promoting health and well-being and so our partnership is a natural fit. “With increasing emphasis on the importance of staying active and healthy into later life we are delighted to welcome them on board. “At the same time, partnerships such as this provide financial help to cover coaches’ fees, the costs of clothing and equipment, and scholarships for talented youngsters who may not normally have access to professional coaching and support.” Tim Wookey, Director of Marketing at Colten Care, said: “The West Hants Club is a long-established yet forward-looking country-club style sports centre and gym. It’s very conveniently located for a number of our homes. “We’re thrilled to open up access to the club for our residents and their families through this new association. “Many of our residents have a life-long love of tennis and sport in general. They will really appreciate the opportunity to come along, watch games and make use of what the club has to offer.”  

 

As well as Avon Cliff, the partnership will benefit residents of the nursing and residential homes Canford Chase in Poole, Brook View in West Moors and Amberwood House in Ferndown. The forthcoming Bourne View home in Poole will be included when it opens in 2019. Residents at two dedicated dementia care homes, Fernhill in Longham and The Aldbury in Poole, will also be able to visit the club.   

 

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