Meet the Eastbourne team

• Dean Haffenden

  Registered General Manager

  I started my working journey in the hotel and restaurant industry. After 10 years I decided on a change and moved into the private care sector, where I have stayed for the last 20 years. During this time, I have worked in a variety of roles and most recently as Head of Hospitality. I have the belief that every single employee plays a huge role in the success of the home, so I feel that teamwork is a priority. My biggest accomplishment was leading a team to win the coveted National Association of Care Catering Award for Care Establishment of the Year. My favourite activity in my spare time is making memories with my family. 
• Abi Smith

  Deputy Manager

  I qualified as an enrolled Nurse in 1985, after this I worked at the William Harvey Hospital in Kent. I then moved to working with severely disabled adults within Social Services. Following time out to have my family, I returned to a care home environment and qualified as a Registered General Nurse in 1993.  I then furthered my role working as a Senior Nurse and was instrumental in implementing the Gold Standard Framework within the care home I was then working in. I joined Beechwood Grove in 2018 as a Registered Nurse on the Nursing unit and progressed to become Clinical Lead in 2019.
• Iain Attwood

  Head of Hospitality

  I was born and raised  in Eastbourne and qualified as a Chef in 1983.  I worked in hotels in and around Eastbourne and progressed to Head Chef at the Afton Hotel in 1987.  After a brief move to the Isle of Wight where I was the Head Chef in one of the largest hotels on the island, I returned to Eastbourne and after working in various hotels, pubs, and restaurants I joined Beechwood Grove as Head Chef in July 2019. In May 2022, I was promoted to Head of Hospitality and oversee the kitchen, Lifestyles, and the newly appointed Hospitality Assistants. I have 4 children, all girls, and 4 grandchildren and I am an avid Arsenal fan!
• Sharon Ward

  Head of Client Experience

  I started at Beechwood Grove in 2018 when the home was still in the final stages of being built ....my first day I wore a hard hat and wellies ! My role is to meet families who are looking for care for a loved one and to support them with the decision to move them into a care home environment. We have strong links with the local community and encourage a two-way involvement with people coming into the home and residents going out.  My role supports the Lifestyle team to arrange events within the home to ensure we are offering a fun place for residents to live and to showcase the home to potential new residents.