Hartwood House Care Home

What I do - I am excited to lead a renowned and award-winning team. Our dedicated staff strive to deliver outstanding care to our residents, their families, and friends of Hartwood House. We are a luxury care home nestled in the heart of the New Forest, offering exceptional care in a truly homely setting. We believe outstanding care is built on trust, kindness and genuine relationships, and we take great pride in creating a place where residents feel safe, valued and truly at home.

My Experience – With extensive experience in elderly care, dementia support, and team leadership, I have successfully managed and improved multiple care settings. I thrive on building strong teams, implementing innovative healthcare systems, and driving meaningful improvements in service quality.

About Me - Beyond my professional life, I love spending time with my family and exploring my interests in psychology, arts, photography, and beauty. Balancing my career and personal passions keeps me motivated and inspired every day.

What I do;
As Deputy Manager at Hartwood House, I have the privilege of overseeing all aspects of our residents’ care and leading our dedicated care team with compassion, consistency and high standards.

I am deeply passionate about what I do and truly believe that exceptional care comes from being present, involved and hands-on. I work closely alongside our team every day, ensuring that each resident receives not only outstanding clinical support, but also warmth, dignity and genuine kindness.

My experience;
I have worked in the care sector since 2007, beginning my journey as a Care Assistant and progressing through the ranks to become Deputy Manager. This hands-on pathway has given me a deep understanding of every aspect of care delivery — from the small, meaningful daily interactions to the leadership responsibilities that ensure consistency and excellence across the home.

About me;
I have 3 daughters and 5 grandchildren. I moved to Southampton in May 2023 to be near my daughters and grandchildren. I am originally from Leeds and spent the last 6 years living in Grantham, Lincolnshire.

What I Do:
My role here at Hartwood House is to provide support to anyone enquiring about moving into care and the options that are available to them. As Admissions Advisor at Hartwood House, no two days are ever the same — and that’s exactly what I love about my role. From welcoming families for their first visit, to guiding them through the enquiry process and helping them make informed decisions, I am here to ensure every interaction feels personal, supportive and reassuring.

My Experience:
With five years’ experience in the care sector, I truly feel I have found my calling. Supporting families at what can often be an emotional and uncertain time is something I consider both a responsibility and a privilege.

Before moving into care, I worked in hospitality, where I developed a genuine passion for working with people and delivering exceptional service. That background has shaped my approach — I believe families should feel listened to, valued and completely at ease from their very first conversation with us.

For me, this role is about more than admissions; it’s about building trust, creating relationships and helping families feel confident that Hartwood House is the right place for their loved one.

What I do;
As Activities Lead here at Hartwood House, my role is to ensure that activities are not only varied and enjoyable, but truly person-centred. I take the time to get to know each resident — their hobbies, life stories, interests and achievements — so that everything we plan feels relevant and enriching. From creative sessions and gentle exercise, to community visits and special events, my goal is to make every day stimulating and fulfilling.

My experience;
I have worked in the care sector for over 10 years, beginning my journey as a Healthcare Assistant within a nursing home setting. During that time, I supported individuals living with dementia and complex mental health conditions, gaining invaluable experience in delivering compassionate care.
Care has always been more than just a job to me. I truly believe that being able to make a positive difference in someone’s life, no matter how small the moment may seem, is a privilege in itself. Whether through support, companionship or simply bringing a smile to someone’s face, I feel incredibly fortunate to work in a role where kindness and impact go hand in hand.

About me;
I spend most of my weekends at wedding venues as a bridal makeup artist – I love makeup and art, to me it is a form of self-expression. In my free time, I love spending time with friends and family.

What I do;
I ensure we prepare, cook and consistently serve delicious, nutritionally balanced food here at Hartwood House using fresh, seasonal ingredients. I’ve continued to enjoy my position for the past two and a half years and I love working here. What keeps me keen is sharing my love for food, as I understand the importance for our residents and staff to enjoy great meals!

My experience;
I have now been a Chef for over fifteen years, working in most industries from private, fine dining to large corporate contracts, gastro pubs and outside catering environments. In 2016, I was proud to be nominated and included in the top five for food in the Care Sector Awards. I also have an NVQ Level 3 advanced apprenticeship in professional cookery.

About me;
I love food, enjoy playing football and listening to music. My little boy keeps me busy and my wife runs her own baby swimming business. I often take our son along to her classes.