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Meet the Team

Hampshire Healthy Families is a partnership between Southern Health Foundation Trust and Barnardo's. Your health Visitor, Community Nursery Nurse or School Nurse are part of the wider Hampshire Healthy Families team within Southern Health. Here you can meet the Barnardo's Team who deliver the community offer of the Healthy Child Programme.

To contact the Hampshire Healthy Families team please email childrenscomms@southernhealth.nhs.uk

Children's Service Manager

The Children’s Service Manager (CSM) leads and manages the Hampshire Healthy Families 0-19 service. The CSM maintains and develops Barnardo’s reputation as a supporter of the 'voice of the child', ensuring a positive impact on children, young people, and their families in Hampshire. The CSM oversees all staff and volunteers for the service, ensuring all requirements of the service are successfully delivered, and acting as a role model for Barnardo’s Basis and Values.

Children’s Service Manager: Melissa Lewis

'My name is Melissa. I have worked for Barnardo’s for seven years. Within this time I have managed "Transform" the supporting families programme and I am currently managing Hampshire Healthy Families. I have extensive knowledge of child development and issues that impact on families. I am passionate about attachment and the impact of trauma in early childhood development. In my previous role, I managed "The Play Development Service". This service delivered a set number of sessions linked to the early year's foundation stage within the home to some of the most vulnerable children across Portsmouth.'

Admin Team

The Admin Team supports the delivery of the Hampshire Healthy Families 0-19 service.

Image of Lynne Tann, Service Administrator

Service Administrator: Lynne Tann

'My name is Lynne. I have been working for Barnardo’s since 2016, when I decided I wanted my work life to make a difference to others, rather than working for profit. I have over 25 years’ experience working in various Admin, Finance and Service Support roles. When I am not at work I am a mum to four very individual almost grown-up children, we have also recently got a whippet puppy, who is adding a new dimension to family life.'

Administration Assistant: Jo Taylor

'I first joined Barnardo’s in 2016 as a volunteer, becoming an Administration Assistant for the service in 2018. I have more than 20 years’ experience in project and event management, customer service, and general administration, and have worked in a variety of business sectors and charities. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, going to the cinema, and spending time with my family.'

Digital Administration Assistant: Hannah Lake

'I first joined Barnardo’s in January 2021 having been lucky enough to secure a job during the Covid pandemic. I have a keen interest in media having completed a degree in Film and Television and an MA in Film Production. I have extensive experience managing social media channels having founded an online support group for parents of children with disabilities as well as in my working life as an admin assistant, as a blogger and as a filmmaker. When I am not working I enjoy spending time with my son, horse riding, walks and netflix!'

Volunteer Coordinator

The role of the Volunteer Coordinator is to support the activities of the Hampshire Healthy Families 0-19 community health service by recruiting and managing volunteers. Our volunteers are invaluable in the delivery of our many workshops and community activities. The Volunteer Coordinator manages all advertising, recruitment, and volunteer induction for the service, and oversees ongoing support and development of our valued volunteers.

Volunteer Coordinator: Maria Clarke

'I have worked for Barnardo’s since April 2017. I am a qualified Primary school teacher and have many years’ experience of working with children and families in schools. In my current role, I enjoy supporting volunteers across Hampshire. In my spare time, I love going for walks with my family.'

Community Health Development Workers

Hampshire Healthy Families 0-19 service has 8 Community Health Development Worker (CHDW) who each work in a specific locality in Hampshire. The CHDWs work closely with Southern Health's Public Health Nursing Teams (Health Visitor and School Nurses) as well as Hampshire Children's Services and other community-based services, encouraging positive health outcomes for children aged 0-19. The CHDWs deliver a range of supportive workshops to develop and promote health and wellbeing, for example, 'Five to Thrive' and 'Healthy Eating'. They also organise Ready Steady Mums social walking groups, as well as supporting healthy development in community and Early Years settings.

Image of Suzanne Shields, Community Health Development Worker

Basingstoke: Suzanne Shields

'My name is Suzanne. I have worked for Hampshire Healthy Families since April 2017 and love the work that I do with families and young children! I have a degree in Early Years and previously worked for 13 years with Hampshire Early Years services, providing advice, support, and training to Nurseries, Registered Childminders and Preschools.'

Image of Nicola Cornish, Community Health Development Worker

East Hampshire: Nicola Cornish

'I am delighted to work for Hampshire Healthy Families. I have a background in Social Work and I have previously spent over 15 years working as a Nanny. I am passionate about healthy childhoods and the positive impacts on childhood development. I am currently expanding my knowledge on Emotional Childhood Trauma and I hope to help many children and families in this area in the future.'

Image of Kirsty Torode, Community Health Development Worker

Eastleigh & Romsey: Kirsty Torode (currently on maternity leave)

'I have worked for Hampshire Healthy Families since July 2018. I have a degree in Childhood Studies and 11 years’ experience of working with children, young people and families in a range of settings including, schools, pre-schools, children centres, and youth clubs. I have always thoroughly enjoyed working with children and families.'

Eastleigh & Romsey: Cassandra Horrocks

I first joined Barnardo’s Hampshire Healthy Families as a volunteer in February 2020, becoming a Community Health Development Worker in January 2021. Prior to joining Barnardo’s I worked in a support role in a large infant school where I hope to volunteer again when COVID restrictions allow. I enjoy being outdoors and exploring the many walks in my local area. My favourite birds are wrens and long-tailed tits, so I’m always on the look out hoping to see them.

Fareham & Gosport: Kay Duffy

I am a qualified Primary school teacher and I've worked with children and families in a range of settings including Children’s Centres, Nurseries and Family homes. I have been with Barnardo’s since 2016 where I have worked for ‘Transform’ and now Hampshire Healthy families. I’m passionate about supporting positive outcomes for children and families.

Image of Linda Walford, Community Health Development Worker

Fareham & Gosport: Linda Walford

'I have worked for Hampshire Healthy FAmilies since July 2017. I am a qualified nursery nurse and I have worked in Early Years for over 35 years. I have been a Nanny in London and New York, and have worked in Early Years settings, Children’s Centres and for Children’s Services. When I am not at work I enjoy spending time with my family, friends and our cat called Reg.'

Hart & Rushmoor: Elaine Penman

'I started with Hampshire Healthy Families in November 2018. Before this, I was a Health Care Assistant in a school for children with special needs. Previously I have worked with children at home and in the community offering support and respite for families. I also have experience in a nursery setting, and as a nanny. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, cinema, and walking my little dog.'

Image of Debbie Mead, Community Health Development Worker

Havant & Waterlooville: Debbie Mead

'My name is Debbie. I have worked for Barnardo’s since March 2016, I love the opportunities the charity has given me to support families with a wide range of different needs. I have always worked with children and families and enjoy sharing my knowledge, keeping the fun in learning. At home, I am learning lots of new skills in the creative world and enjoy the sense of achievement from something new I have made.'

Image of Wendy Newman, Community Health Development Worker

New Forest: Wendy Newman

‘I have been working with Hampshire Healthy Families since it started in July 2018. I have been a qualified nursery nurse for 15 years. Before working at Barnardo's I had my own childminding business and have worked on paediatric and maternity wards and in pre-schools. In the past, I have worked voluntary in a Romanian orphanage, which was really rewarding. I love working with families and getting the best outcome for them.’

Image of Julie Ridge, Community Health Development Worker

Winchester & Andover: Julie Ridge

‘Until I started working with Barnardo’s in October 2017, I spent 20 years working in the early year's sector, first as a practitioner and then in a support role working with pre-schools, nurseries and childminders in Hampshire. When I’m not at work, I’m usually found out and about with my camera taking photos of interesting places, wildlife and nature.’