Meet our team
Eastleigh team members work to make sure that our residents enjoy life as fully as possible. Here are just a few of the people you’ll find at our Care Homes.
Kayleigh Kelland - Commercial Director EMAIL 
I joined Eastleigh in 2016 as Group Finance Director. Prior to this I worked in practice for a regional accountancy firm, having qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 2012.
Working for Eastleigh is extremely varied, and no two days are ever the same, I am proud to be part of a great team who strive to provide the best care possible to our residents.
When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with my family on our Alpaca farm and playing netball.
Kirstie Barnes - Operations Director EMAIL
I joined the Eastleigh team in 2009 as HR Manager and have grown and developed with the Company into the role of Operations Director, which I have held for the last 8 years (although there have been some job title changes in this time!).
Eastleigh is very much at my heart and has been for a long time. My role is to ensure we consistently provide the very best for our residents, colleagues, families and the professionals supporting us to deliver exemplary and personalised care. I am very proud of what the Eastleigh team achieve daily, in sometimes very uncertain and complex times, it is humbling and exciting to be part of such a wonderful group of individuals on an ongoing basis.
My private time is spent with my family, I have always loved the outdoors and rural life and whenever possible we enjoy visiting rural France for breaks with our two energetic YorkiePoo dogs.
Connor Fewings - Recruitment & Head Office Manager EMAIL
I re- joined Eastleigh Care Homes in January 2019. I initially trained as a carpenter, and fell into the role of care assistant. Since then I have left to become locality manager, but soon returned when the right role became available. My role varies on a day to day basis, which keeps me on my toes.
In my spare time I like to socialise with my friends and play football for my local club.
Penne Knight - HR Assistant EMAIL
I Joined Eastleigh Care Homes in November 2014. Before joining I was a Catering manager for 23 years. So this was a complete career change, but I have learnt so much and love being part of a great team.
In my spare time I like to go on many walks and I am in the process of completing the South West Coast path walk which is a total of 630 miles.
Laura Robinson - HR Assistant EMAIL
I joined Eastleigh Care Homes in September 2022 as part of the HR team. Previously I’ve worked across a number of sectors including the travel and games industry.
Having only lived in Somerset for 2 years, I enjoy exploring the local area with my young family and travelling when I can.
Aidan Thorne- Finance Assistant EMAIL
I Joined the Head Office team at Eastleigh Care Homes in December 2021 as a Finance Assistant. Having previously trained in the finance sector it was something, I wanted to get back into having spent time working as a chef.
In my spare time I like to cook, spend time with my family and watch Liverpool play.
James Kelland - Rental Property Agent
EMAIL
I Joined Eastleigh Care Homes in January 2020, my role is to look after the rental accommodation for Eastleigh which involves ensuring all new staff renting our accommodation arrive safely and have everything they need to be comfortable in our accommodation.
My previous role was based in the Insurance industry working as a Team Leader, managing a team of customer service advisors to ensure targets and company goals and service levels were achieved.
In my spare time I enjoy keeping fit my playing many sports, mainly football, and am a big Manchester United fan. When I'm not in the office or playing football, I'm at home keeping our daughter's Ivy & Martha busy.
Andrew Murasiewicz - Facilities Manager EMAIL
I Joined Eastleigh Care Homes in January 2019 as part of the maintenance team. I have since been promoted to Facilities Manager where my role is to manage the upkeep of the Eastleigh Care Home sites.
During my time with Eastleigh, i have assisted and even drove to Ukraine when we did the fundraiser/donations for the refugees.
Michelle Balsdon - Registered Manager(East Street) EMAIL
I joined Eastleigh April 2023 as a Care Home Manager . I have previous experience working within the care industry as registered manager and working for the NHS. My ethos is ‘If everyone is moving forward together, then we can achieve the greater good for all involved’.
In my spare time, I enjoy watching rugby, taking my dog for walks, and having quality time with my children and family.
Kelly Baker - Registered Manager(Raleigh Mead) EMAIL
I joined Eastleigh in 2012 as a Registered Nurse. Since then I have developed my skills, especially in Dementia Care, and become the Lead Nurse for Dementia until I took over the responsibility of Registered Manager for Eastleigh Raleigh Mead in the Summer of 2021. I am passionate about making Eastleigh a home, and an extended family, for all our residents, relatives and staff.
In my free time I am a member of Barnstaple Pilot Gig Club and spend most of my weekends competing in Regattas around the South West, managing my Junior Crew or Coxing Training sessions on the River Taw.
Collette Jones - Assistant Manager(Raleigh Mead) EMAIL
I have worked for Eastleigh for four years. I started as Receptionist / Health & Safety officer and was promoted to Assistant Manager at the beginning of this year. I had previously worked as a Pharmacy Manager for 15 years so coming to Eastleigh was a completely new challenge for me.
I love working at Raleigh Mead and I am very proud of the home and the team that we have working with us. I really enjoy getting to know the residents and their families and have learned a lot in the few years that I have worked here.
In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family and I am usually kept busy with my grandchildren.
Lewis Don - Registered Manager(MInehead) EMAIL
I joined Eastleigh East Street in February 2022, prior to joining the Eastleigh team I have worked in a care industry for 15 years. In January 2023, i went back across to Somerset to manage our Minehead home.
What I enjoy most about my role is walking the home, chatting with residents, meeting their families, problem solving and building relationships.
I am working towards a NVQ Level 5 for Management in Health and Social Care.
At home, I enjoying spending time walking and exploring Exmoor with my wife and our Cockapoo Ted. My hobbies include road cycling, crossfit and ju-jitsu. A balance of both mental and physical endurance, strength and discipline.
Louise Heppenstall - Assistant Manager(Minehead) EMAIL
I joined Eastleigh in 2020 as a carer in our East Street home. I progressed to Senior Carer and completed my Assistant Practitioner course at the beginning of 2022. I have now progressed to Assistant Manager in our Minehead home.
I’ve always felt a valued member of the team at Eastleigh and pride myself on the care and dedication given to all of our residents.
In my spare time I enjoy walking my dogs come rain, wind or shine, spending time in the garden with my chickens and ducks, sitting reading a book or being taxi service to my 3 children.
