Meet Our Team
We’d like to introduce our friendly Hartwood House team who are determined to be the difference in senior care.
Moira Baxter
Home Manager
Moira Baxter
Home Manager
What I do
I’ve been here at Hartwood as Home Manager for three years and I cherish the home, our residents and our team. In my role, I manage the running of Hartwood to ensure we provide high-quality, individual care in a nurturing, engaging environment so that our residents can live happy and fulfilling lives. Hartwood House is lucky to be in the heart of Lyndhurst and is a beautiful home that our residents really do enjoying living in. That joy for life spills over into their fun and lively personalities that gives constant pleasure, not just to me but my team too.
My experience
With over 20 years’ experience in a variety of care management roles, I am delighted to return to looking after residents. I hold a Registered Manager’s award and a City & Guilds teaching certificate.
About me
In my spare time I love getting out into the outdoors with my dog, spending time with my family, eating out and reading.
Gayle Burn
Deputy Manager
Gayle Burn
Deputy Manager
Background, qualifications and experiences.
Once I finished school, I went straight into my nursing career. Initially, I completed my General Nursing and Midwifery diploma and then went on to complete my psychiatric nursing diploma. From the day I started nursing I realised that this is what I love to do and my career is more of a hobby than a job. I also worked on a mobile intensive care ambulance for a couple of years, in theatre for 5 years and in Occupational Health. In 1999 we moved from South Africa to the UK. My first job in the UK was a six month contract in school nursing. In 2000 I joined the BMI Health Group and worked in outpatients and Health screening. I opened several nurse led clinics in outpatients. A wonderful opportunity arose to assist with the design and build and commissioning of a private clinic in London. I remained working at this clinic for 5 years as the Director of Nursing and Director of Infection Control and then had to return to South Africa to care for my mum who was unwell. To keep up my practice I volunteered to work one day a week at a HIV/AIDS hospice. On return to the UK, we decided to move out of London to Lyndhurst. I applied to Hartwood House as a bank nurse and when the opportunity arose applied for the Deputy Manager Role and here I am!
Passions.
People are my passion.
I love every aspect of my job, from residents and relatives to the staff. I enjoy training the staff to understand and reach their goals in their roles. I also enjoy the freedom of the forest and the wonderful outdoor life.
Proudest achievement.
My proudest achievement is climbing Table Mountain in Cape Town. My niece insisted I could do it and at the time I thought, “Oh my word!”. We set off on a hot day (33 degrees) up the front of the mountain (which is the steepest aspect), using the Platteklip Gorge route. This is a rocky gully on the north eastern face that forms a natural staircase right to the top of Table Mountain. Armed with plenty of fluids and a mindset, “if I do this, I can do anything” – up we went. Scrambling up, trying to keep up with my very fit niece, we took an hour and a half ascending 2 Kilometres. Once we reached the summit we enjoyed the most spectacular view. And, Yes, we took the cable car back down!
Sarah Gillett
Home Admissions Advisor
Sarah Gillett
Home Admissions Advisor
What I do
I joined Hartwood in November 2017. In my role I help to support families through the transition into residential care. Choosing the right care can be a difficult decision for all involved, but my job is to help this process run as smoothly as possible by guiding our new residents and their family members through this life changing move with support, great understanding and empathy.
My experience
I have over 8 years’ experience of working in the care sector starting my career as a Domiciliary Carer looking after elderly people in their own homes in the local community and a few years later becoming the Office Manager. After a break to raise my family and help with the family business I feel so lucky to have come back to a job doing the things I am passionate about.
About me
In my spare time, I like to spend time with my friends and family, my two young daughters keep me very busy. I enjoy shopping, going to cinema and eating out. I am a real foodie so I also enjoy cooking and throwing dinner parties.
Rebecca Beer
Senior Nurse
Rebecca Beer
Senior Nurse
What I do
I joined the team at Hartwood House in February 2015 and have worked in a couple of different roles, as an Acting Home Manager and in my present role as Senior Nurse. I help to oversee the clinical needs of our residents, as well as managing the nursing floor.
I am passionate about providing the best quality of life and maintaining high standards of care for our residents, with a particular interest in dementia and end of life care.
My experience
I have 30 years of nursing experience in various different specialisms – General Surgery, High Dependency Acute care, Practice Nursing and private care home sector. I have previously been a Registered Manager of a care home and understand both the management and clinical requirements of a nursing home.
About me
I live with my husband and little dog, Millie. I enjoy beyond measure the time spent with my four, soon to be five, grandchildren! In my spare time, I love gardening and quilt making. I am also an active member of a church in Romsey.
Melissa Brunsdon
Administrator
Melissa Brunsdon
Administrator
What I do
I started at Hartwood house in April 2019. I mainly deal with the financial side, HR & overseeing reception area. The role is very diverse, but this enables me to give brilliant administration support to the residents and their families daily.
My Experience
I’m a certified Accounts Technician with 15 years’ experience in finance roles but different sectors including Freight, Waste & Fertility private care in which I enjoyed the most and wanted to extend my time in the sector.
About me
I have three very young children; any free time is with them exploring & having fun.
Daniel Bree
Head Chef
Daniel Bree
Head Chef
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 the 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 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 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.
Nancy Hall de Vuyst
Activities Co-ordinator
Nancy Hall de Vuyst
Activities Co-ordinator
What I do
I came to work at Hartwood House in June 2016, as one of two Activity Co-ordinators, to provide physical and cognitive activities for our residents to enjoy every morning and afternoon.
I’m responsible for putting together a weekly programme of enrichment for memory-impaired residents living with dementia, on our first floor.
My experience
I studied as a Health Care Assistant in Belgium and qualified in 1997, having completed my final year in which I specialised in the care of people living with dementia.
I’ve worked as a Carer in England for several years and qualified in 2001 for my NVQ Level 3. I then had a five-year career break to care for my disabled son and went on to work in a respite care day centre for seven years before I joined the team here at Hartwood House.
About me
I love working with the elderly and have a true passion for the care of people living with dementia. I am the home’s Dementia Friends Champion and have delivered several Dementia Friends Awareness sessions.
Above all, I am Mum to a 14 year-old son who has microduplication 22q11.2, a rare disorder. I have strong connections to the local community, including a local charity supporting unpaid Carers.