Barchester Orchard House Care Home

I grew up in Scotland and tried many university courses and careers before I settled into nursing at a later stage in life. I worked in hospitality, managed pubs, tried primary teaching and studied English and politics at university. I’ve travelled the world, but eventually decided I needed a career that I could give something back with.

I trained to be a mental health nurse and graduated in 2008, along with two children in tow. My career in Scotland involved working with learning disabilities and challenging behaviour, and I worked my way up the ladder quickly to management. I specialised in positive behaviour support, and loved making a difference to people’s lives.

My family and I made the decision to move to the Isle of Wight in 2017, and that is when I joined Barchester as a peripatetic nurse initially, before being offered the position of deputy manager in 2018 at The Orchards. I love my work here, we have an amazing team and residents, and there are so many opportunities to really care and look after people who deserve that in their later years.

I am an experienced Deputy Manager/Clinical Lead who has worked as part of the Barchester family for many years. I have worked as a Deputy Manager in a fellow Barchester home, a Registered Nurse and prior to undertaking my nursing degree, I enjoyed working as a Healthcare assistant here at Orchard House. I have recently obtained my Associate Fellowship in Higher Education due to my work in teaching leadership and management skills in nurse education. It is lovely to be back and I am really excited to be working with our wonderful team and residents at Orchard House. Please come and say Hello, I am really looking forward to meeting you all!!

I joined Orchard House in November 2019.
This has been a new venture for me having spent most of my career within childcare and education settings.
I work on reception and support the administrative processes within the home.
I really enjoy working at Orchard House and love my new role and the opportunities this gives me for being with the residents and their families.

Every day I find something new to learn and look forward to continuing to develop my knowledge and skills further.

In my spare time, I love to keep fit and enjoy walking, running and swimming.
I enjoy dance and have taken part in several local carnivals on the Island within a samba dance group.

Originally from Oxford, Gina Matthews brings over 30 years of administrative experience across a range of sectors, including mental health and residential care. As Homes Administrator at Orchard House, Gina plays a vital role in ensuring the smooth and efficient running of the home. She is passionate about delivering the highest level of service to both residents and visitors, with a strong focus on professionalism, compassion, and attention to detail.

Gina is highly skilled in a wide range of administrative functions, including scheduling, record-keeping, staff co-ordination, data management, budgeting, and compliance with regulatory standards. She is also proficient in IT systems, communication tools, and customer service practices, making her a dependable and approachable point of contact for families, staff, and external partners alike.

Outside of work, Gina enjoys spending quality time with her family, dogs, and friends. She takes great pleasure in supporting her loved ones in various sporting activities, from grassroots games to local competitions.

Hi, I’m Carol King, I am the Hospitality Service Manager at the Orchard House. I have worked here since 2006 and enjoy running the housekeeping and laundry team. I also support the chefs and the kitchen team. I enjoy all the hustle and bustle which comes daily at the Orchard. My hobbies are walking, cooking and a read of a good book.

Hi, My name is Becky, I am the Head of the Unit for Valentine. I have worked at Orchard House for nearly 10 years. I’ve been a nurse for 29 years and previously worked in the hospital. I saw an advert on the fencing of Orchard House stating they were recruiting nurses and thought I needed a change so I will pop in and look around. Next thing I know I am working here at Orchard House and never looked back. Having never worked in a Nursing Home before I wasn’t sure how I was going to get on, but I must be doing ok as I’m still here and still love it.

I’m Lauren Round, and I’m proud to be the Head Chef here at Orchard House.
My journey with Orchard House started back in 2018 when I joined as a General Assistant. Over time, my passion for cooking grew stronger.
I completed the Envy Q3 Chef Training Programme at Barchester.
Not long after, I stepped up as Second Chef, which gave me the chance to really develop my skills in the kitchen.
In 2024, I was honoured to take on the role of Head Chef, and I’m excited to lead our fantastic kitchen team.
Cooking has always been a passion of mine, and I love creating meals that bring people together.
Originally, I’m from Shropshire. I moved over from the mainland about ten years ago, and Orchard House has felt like home ever since.
I’m looking forward to many more years here, sharing good food and great experiences with everyone who visits us.

Hello I'm Helen and a Care Practitioner here at Orchard House 

Hello, my name is Chris Brien and I am the Care Practioner for Memory Lane.

Hello, I’m Katie Schlepp, and my job as the Head of Lifestyle is more than a career; it’s my passion. Every day, I have the pleasure of enhancing lives and creating moments of joy for our residents. It’s a privilege to be a part of this community where we celebrate life in all its richness, from organizing engaging activities to fostering connections and ensuring our residents well-being, I’m dedicated to making every day extraordinary. Our residents happiness and comfort are what drive me, and I’m committed to ensuring that your time at Orchard House is nothing short of wonderful.

Hello My name is Kelly, I am the Head Of Senior Care at Orchard House. I started my career in care over 12 years ago and instantly fell in love with supporting people to live enriched lives. I am passionate about delivering high-quality person-centered care as well as empowering people to use life skills to encourage and promote independence. I pride myself on attention to detail in every aspect of care I deliver.

I look after the residents and make sure that they have all that they need and are happy and comfortable.

I am Elyse Rose, thrilled to introduce myself as the Speak Up Champion at Barchester Orchard House Care Home. My mission is to empower and support all our incredible workers to voice their thoughts and concerns, even when other avenues seem unavailable.
A harmonious workplace is built on open communication, and together, we can make Orchard House an even better place to work and care for our residents.