About Summerlands

Sean and Deborah have owned Summerlands since April 2010. Having to find care provision for both sets of parents forced us to focus on understanding what they needed and wanted to meet their care requirements. They didn’t want to be confined and have restrictions on their freedom and this has been our main driver – to be allowed to continue living in a home and not an institutional environment, not confined to a unit behind locked doors and to feel free and in control. We make every effort not to miss the individual and to respect their human rights.

Summerlands | an image showing two of our residents enjoying refreshments outside

To give you an idea of what Summerlands Care Home is all about, here’s a flavour of where we come from in the words of our founder:

“Finding the right care home for your relative is no easy task. We have different priorities, perceptions and ideals. As a care provider, I took the experience of looking through my father’s eyes to establish what was important to him when searching for a care home. This experience was my inspiration for Summerlands to feel like your home, to be proud to call it home and to want your friends and family to visit you in your home. On more than one occasion, when looking at different care homes, my father refused to get out of the car.

I would point out that we hadn’t even looked inside but he was adamant he didn’t want to live there. Why? Because each one we visited didn’t look like a home. It was a building with a few patio pots of plants in a car park. We all want to be proud of where we live, so why should this change when we need to move to a care home? It was important for me to make Summerlands look like a welcoming home with a front garden where people can enjoy sitting amongst the flowers.”

Deborah – Summerlands Care Home

“The care and dedication of all staff and management is second to none. The home and gardens could not be surpassed in any way.”

Daughter of Resident, carehome.co.uk

Summerlands | an image showing some of our residents taking a walk through our gardens

Those living and visiting Summerlands can enjoy a view of the gardens from most windows, and everyone is encouraged to pop outside into the garden and patio area when the sun is shining. Surrounded by mature hedges, featuring a landscaped pond, seating area and paths, the Summerlands gardens are private and offer year-round interest. The garden of our Haywards Heath care home is a wonderful place to spend time.

“I would recommend Summerlands to anyone.”

Resident, carehome.co.uk

What makes Summerlands unique?

Botanical Gardens

Summerlands’ garden holds a collection of around 250 different varieties of plants, all of which are labelled with their…

Transparent Fees

There are no hidden costs, and the weekly fee is based on the bedroom and the facilities it offers. We understand in time…

No Segregation

With those who have a diagnosis of dementia, we respect their human rights and freedom of movement. We understand…

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  Summerlands’ garden holds a collection of around 250 different varieties of plants, all of which are labelled with their botanical name as well as their common name.  The garden offers a haven of stimulation and comfort, and the vibrant colours of blooming flowers creates a peaceful atmosphere, promoting relaxation and well-being.  A garden designed for all seasons - Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter.

  There are no hidden costs, and the weekly fee is based on the bedroom and the facilities it offers.  We understand in time, people may require additional support for their care, but we don’t increase the weekly fee should dependency levels increase.

  With those who have a diagnosis of dementia, we respect their human rights and freedom of movement.  We understand that people want to live at home for as long as possible but there may come a time when they need to look at other care options.  At Summerlands care home, we aspire to create a family atmosphere and a sense of community.  This a reason why we don’t segregate people as we have recognised that it’s human nature for the strong to look after the weak, that people are individuals, we are all not the same and we all have individual needs.  We recognise the importance of not restricting people’s freedom of movement, so there are no locked doors and residents walk freely around the home and into the gardens.

Summerlands Staff

We’re incredibly proud of our team here at Summerlands Care Home, and we believe that recognising rising talent amongst the staff team is key.

Lowela Alcazaren

Home Manager

Lowela has worked at Summerlands since 2008, first as a Senior Care Assistant before being promoted to Assistant Manager and finally Home Manager in 2018. A qualified Nurse, Lowela leads by example and has assisted with other roles, so fully understands the ethos of the home.

A creative, compassionate Manager, Lowela has brought many positive changes including leading the team to Platinum status accreditation in the Gold Standards Framework. Lowela happily helps in any way she can – there is a real sense of teamwork within the home, which has been developed and improved since Lowela became Home Manager.

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Abbey Cornell

Senior Carer

Abbeys career at Summerlands began as a student working as a Kitchen Assistant, changing paths to become an industry-recognised Activity Coordinator and now working as a Level 2 Senior/Team Leader.

Abbey achieved the level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care in October 2020. Abbey supported our Home Manager, Lowela, to achieve our GSF award and won the West Sussex Partners in Care Award for Ancillary Worker (2016). With a vibrant and lively personality, you will always know when Abbey is in the home.

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Michael Cornell

Chef

Hard work pays off, and Michael’s a perfect example of this. Starting with us as a student in 2012, Michael undertook a training apprenticeship and is now a qualified Chef.

Michael enjoys new challenges and helps create wonderful culinary delights for the Summerlands residents. A reliable member of the team and with a great sense of humour, there is always fun and the sound of laughter coming out of the kitchen.

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Martin Gallagher

Head Chef

Martin was recruited to oversee the new commercial kitchen here at Summerlands, with an aim to implement improvements to dining experiences for all our residents and guests.

Having previously worked as a Head Chef for airline First Class catering, Martin has brought his knowledge, skills and expertise for a first-class dining experience. Always heard to be singing and with boundless energy, nothing is too much trouble for Martin.

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Eleanor Alivo

Senior Carer

Eleanor has a background in nursing having worked in the Philippines and Saudi Arabia and brings her nursing experience to Summerlands, joining in November 2021.

A Senior member of the team, Eleanor has used her patient care knowledge and techniques which have shown to be of significant benefit to the care of the residents. If there’s a spare moment, Eleanor loves to spend time with the residents doing a group exercise activity in the communal lounge as well as her Sunday service class, singing favourite hymns.

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Roxana Hadarean

Senior Carer

Roxana has many years of experience working with the elderly and has worked at Summerlands since October 2015.

Roxana has achieved the Level 5 diploma in leadership for Health and Social care in January 2021 and with Abbey and Eleanor, have supported Lowela in achieving the highest award in the Gold Standard End of Life Care. Roxana is a thoughtful kind professional and committed to improving the quality of life for the residents.

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Deborah Cresswell

Owner

As the owner and operations manager, Deborah is in the home most days. Most of Deborah’s time has been spent renovating and improving the environment working closely with the contractors.

Deborah won the Care Employer Award at the West Sussex Care Accolades in 2017, led by West Sussex Partners in Care. This is an achievement we’re hugely proud of. Since 2010, the Summerlands has been transformed and Deborah is proud to have such a dedicated and passionate management and staff team at Summerlands.

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Would you like to find out more about Summerlands?

Our team is here to help – please do get in touch with us and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

“The staff are marvellous, it goes without saying! You just have to ask and it is done immediately. I would recommend Summerlands to anyone.”

Resident, carehome.co.uK

About Summerlands

What makes Summerlands unique?

Botanical Gardens

Transparent Fees

No Segregation

Summerlands Staff

Lowela Alcazaren

Abbey Cornell

Michael Cornell

Martin Gallagher

Eleanor Alivo

Roxana Hadarean

Deborah Cresswell

Would you like to find out more about Summerlands?

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