Meet Our Team

Moira Baxter

Home Manager

What I do

I joined Hartwood House as Home Manager in 2014 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

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!

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

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

What I do

I came to work at Hartwood House in June 2016. I am passionate about providing engaging activities to our residents. These involve Physical games, Cognitive stimulating ones as well as social and spiritual enhancing activities.

My experience

I started studying as care assistant in Belgium, my home country, at the age of 15 and graduated with a diploma for care of the elderly living with Dementia at the age of 19.  I came to England to learn English but ended up staying here, I have worked as a carer  in a few homes in England before working in a Day centre for people living with dementia, I was part of the pilot scheme in Lyndhurst for cognitive stimulation therapy before joining Hartwood as an activity co Ordinator, working my way up to activity lead.

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.

Jana Jansen

Head Of Housekeeping

What I Do

I am extremely proud to be the Head of Housekeeping at Hartwood House. In my role not only do I support and guide my team but I aim to provide the highest possible standard of cleanliness throughout the home right down to laundry. No stone (or cushion) is left unturned! There are lots of ways to “care” and mine is treating everyone like part of the big happy family we are and not stopping till everything is just how you like it!

My Experience

Although I have only been in Housekeeping since 2018, I have been surrounded by this environment from a young age. My time after school and during school holidays were mainly spent in care homes where my Mum was a manager. I learnt so much from her – to which I will be eternally grateful! As I grew older and left for university to pursue other passions I always found my way back to the care sector. I have had many different roles including Admin, Home Relations Manager and even some Care during the pandemic. However I settled into housekeeping as I felt that was the best way that I could care for people whilst still utilising all the skills I’ve picked up over the years. It’s so rewarding seeing the change I can make in peoples lives and I wouldn’t change a thing!

About Me

I have a degree in Lighting Programming for Events, and in my spare time I like to get involved in sorts of shows … from gigs to musicals. I also LOVE food and thoroughly enjoy all things food related with family, friends and my main partner in crime!

Owen Southwell

Maintenance Manager

My role:
As maintenance manager my role is too keep the residents and staff in a safe and healthy environment so they can enjoy their daily activities

My experience:
Before working at Hartwood House I spent 10 working as a site manager for a local infant school and 13 years in aviation

About me:
In my spare time I enjoying gardening, spending time with my family and going on holidays to the Caribbean!