Meet the Hawthorns Care Home Team
From nurses and carers to chefs and housekeepers, staff in our home are here to deliver high quality care and services to those we support. Check below to meet some of the friendly faces you are likely to see when visiting our home:
Karen Champion
Hi, my name is Karen, and I am the General Manager here at The Hawthorns.
I began my career in the insurance and power generation industries and followed my heart into nursing and becoming a Registered Nurse. My nursing journey has allowed me to work within both hospital and complex care services before moving into management and becoming a Chartered Manager. I joined Barchester Healthcare in 2021 as Operations Manager for the Hospitals and Complex Care Division.#
My passion is empowering others, whether that be empowering residents and families to become involved in planning and decisions around their care and support needs or empowering staff to lead their self-development and meet their career goals.
Deborah Flower
My name is Deborah Flower and I have been a Qualified Adult Nurse for 29 years. I have worked at the Hawthorns for 17 years as Neuro Manager and prior to that worked as a junior sister for 7 years on a Neuro Rehab Ward for the NHS.
Lisa Barrass
Hello, I'm Lisa and I am the Home Administrator here at Hawthorns.
I have worked for Barchester since 2015 starting on reception and becoming the Administrator in 2023. In my role I deal with all aspects of the administration of the home to ensure it runs smoothly, from invoicing, ordering, recruitment, setting up contracts, to manning the telephones, there's never a dull day1 I am thoroughly enjoying my role and happy to assist you with any enquiries that you may have.
David Gill
My name is David Gill and I am the Head Chef here at Hawthorns.
I've been a chef for 32 years now and the highlights of my career have been catering for HRH Queen Elizabeth on her diamond jubilee in 2012 on her visit to the Sunderland port.
I also catered for the 2010 World Economic Forum in Chalet Eugenia in Klosters, Switzerland for HRH Prince Andrew & dignitaries dinner party. I now look forward to this new chapter of my career working at Hawthorns.
Nijay Cheeran Jacob
Hello, my name is Nijay Cheeran Jacob and I am the Senior physiotherapist in Hawthorns neuro-rehab. I have been qualified since 2010, and I also hold a level 7 degree in Strategic Management and Leadership from the London College of Business. I started my journey with Barchester in 2019.
I perform assessment and treatment planning for patients with complicated neurological requirements. We also offer evidence – based rehabilitation and physiotherapy treatments for condition such as multiple sclerosis, acquired brain injuries and spinal cord injuries etc. I work closely with the Home ventilation team (NEAVS), managing patients with invasive and non-invasive ventilators, as well as performing tracheostomy changes in a regular basis.
I collaborate closely together patients and their loved ones, along with other medical professionals in order to deliver an extensive and patient centred treatment that achieves optimum functional results and facilitates patients attain their goals.
Mary Raunikar Page
Mary Raunikar Page is a HCPC-registered music therapist. Originally from the US, she trained in Arizona and is qualified to practice music therapy in both the US and the UK. Mary utilises music-based activities to help residents maintain mental health and well-being and to achieve neurological objectives. Her primary instrument is the harp, which she applies in her sessions for relaxation and enjoyment. Outside of Barchester, Mary plays the concert pedal harp for various functions around the northeast and records tracks with cosy themes.
