Newsnight's Jeremy Paxman visits Christchurch care home for BBC series on ageing

Newsnight Presenter, Jeremy Paxman met residents and staff at Colten Care’s Avon Reach home in Mudeford for the BBC’s ‘When I’m 65’ season of programmes.

He recorded a series of clips and interviews to feed into a Newsnight special studio discussion.

Mr Paxman had lunch with residents Ray Holliday and Ken Hoskins and discussed care homes with them.

Mr Hoskins, who worked as a photographer for the former Bournemouth Times newspaper, said: “We talked about a lot of things to do with getting older and care homes. He was a lot softer on us than he usually is with politicians.”

Avon Reach manager Kim Cowell said: “People in care homes don’t often get the chance to have their voices heard.

“Colten Care Ltd respects people as individuals and we were happy to have the BBC here and give our residents the opportunity to speak on national media.”

Mr Paxman also had a tour of the home with Colten Group Finance Director Mark Aitchison and discussed the subject of care home funding.

Mr Aitchison said: “It was a chance for us to explain our facilities and care quality standards and show how we maintain the independence of residents and avoid an institutional approach.”

Colten Care runs 19 care homes across Hampshire, Dorset and Wiltshire. Its services include residential, nursing, respite and dementia care.

Photo: Jeremy Paxman with Ray Holliday (left) and Ken Hoskins after their lunch at Colten Care's Avon Reach home in Mudeford.