Meet the Team

Melissa Schulz

Registered Manager

(Pending registration)

Easton Maudit

I started working at Oakfield in 2004, and during my time here I have progressed from Support Worker to Shift Leader, to Deputy Manager, assistant manager, and finally into my current role as Registered Manager. Throughout my journey, I have remained passionate about supporting the people who live at Oakfield and ensuring they receive the highest standard of person-centred care. My vision is to create a safe, caring, and inclusive environment where every individual is valued, listened to, and empowered to make choices about their own lives. I believe in working closely with the people we support, their families, and our staff team to ensure our values of respect, dignity, compassion, and independence are reflected in everything we do. I am committed to fostering a positive, welcoming atmosphere where people feel happy, supported, and able to achieve their full potential.

Bethany Pratt

Deputy Manager

Yardley Hastings

I have worked at Oakfield Community since April 2024 where I have progressed onto becoming a Deputy Manager of our Yardley Hastings service.

I have previous experience with working in an education environment supporting teenagers and young adults with learning disabilities through the education system and to allow them to unleash their full potential. I have a strong passion for ensuring all the people we support at Oakfield community are receiving the highest quality of care and can develop new life skills and to become as independent as each individual possibly can.

Before starting my career in care, I worked as a duty manager within a brand-new leisure centre where I learnt the importance of leadership as well as teamwork which are two of the main skills I use in my day-to-day life.

Outside of work I have a great passion for horse riding where I have previously competed across a variety of different disciplines with my own horse who I have had with me since I was 15 years old. Alongside this I enjoy long walks across the countryside with my two very energetic spaniels who love to keep me on my toes.

Sarah Buckley

Deputy Manager

Easton Maudit

I have worked at Oakfield since September 2024 starting as a support worker and gradually worked myself up from Support worker, to Senior, to TeamLeader and then to Deputy manager based at Easton Maudit. I am very passionate within my role here at Oakfield to fulfil and expand independence and life skills for the people we support. Being able to give them the best quality of life and care as I possibly can. It’s a pleasure to be able to be a part of the Oakfield family to make a long-lasting difference. I am looking forward to see what exciting new changes there will be here at Oakfield.

Outside of Oakfield I enjoy spending my time with family and friends, taking long walks with my dog Duke, baking and travelling.

With a background in working with children and young adults with special educational needs in educational settings, it has led me to work and support within Oakfield Community across both Easton Maudit’s and Yardley Hastings sites. Involving looking after the buildings and over seeing the current refurbishment project, developing three brand new self-contained flats at Easton Maudit, my role here covers a very wide range of duties. It fills me with great satisfaction and pride that, within my role, I can do my part to make a difference and support in my own way, the progression of Oakfield Community and the people we support.

My career has seen me do a varied number of roles, from warehouse work, to gaining my Primary School Education qualification, teaching for several years in numerous Primary Schools. I have spent a long time working within special education and completed numerous training courses to help me best support the people I have done, which has served me well in being able to not only look after both sites at Oakfield Community, but also give me a deeper understanding of how to best support its wonderful residents. It is a pleasure working here and I am very much looking forward to seeing Oakfield Community develop further in the years to come.

Diane Rhodes

Grants Co-ordinator

As the Grants Co-Coordinator my key areas of work is to communicate with Senior Management, Trustees and all Staff.  Developing long standing relations with Stakeholders, supporters and the local community.

I am a mother of two and a grandmother of two.  Throughout my working career I have always gone above and beyond to ensure that a job is done to my best ability.  Working within the charity sector I have gained a wealth of knowledge and experience and have helped many people.  My passion is to help everyone regardless of their age, race, gender or disability to reach their full potential and live fulfilling lives.

Louise Barritt

Administrator

As a new member of the team, I have recently taken on the role of Office Administrator. I am looking forward to a new challenge assisting all the staff at Oakfield. I have over 20 years administration experience and a big understanding of Adult Social Care. This is something close to my heart. I am passionate about giving the people we support at Oakfield the high quality of life they deserve, whilst supporting all the support staff from the office the best that I can.

I have three children. Most of our spare time is spent playing football which is our family passion. We also enjoy walks with our British Bulldog.

I look forward to the challenges, and exciting opportunities that are coming to Oakfield.

Robyn Hughes

Administrator

I am a new member of the Oakfield team, having recently taken on the role of Office Administrator to work alongside Louise. I am new to the industry but have many years of administration experience behind me. I am really looking forward to seeing what this next chapter brings, this industry is something I’ve always been keen to be involved in, and I am excited to play a part in peoples lives and be a part of the team that gives them the support and amazing opportunities they all deserve.

My time away from work is spent with my husband, our two children, and German Shepherd going away in our caravan, and making lots of fun memories!

I am looking forward to the new challenges and everything to come here at Oakfield.

Shelly Hunter

Finance Officer

I have worked in finance and accountancy for my entire career, even doing my degree in the subject. Having held numerous roles across varying levels and industries I have a wealth of experience to bring to this role but can also say it is also one of the most rewarding roles I have had. 

Being able to support both the staff and residents at Oakfield if only from a back office perspective gives meaning to the position, and it is more than just a job, we are all in our own ways helping to enable the people we support to live happier more fulfilling lives.

Out of work I spend my free time with my family.  We enjoy trips out, and when I have the chance I like to read or play computer games.

Kerry Lever

Finance Officer

I’m a new member of the team, having recently joined as the Finance Officer. I have over 30 years of experience working in finance and accounts, and it’s a career I’ve always genuinely enjoyed. Most of my experience has been in the motor trade, so I’m looking forward to applying my skills in the care industry. I’m sure there will be plenty to learn, and I’m excited to take on this new role.

I have three grown-up children. In my spare time, I enjoy DIY and decorating. When my children were younger, I bred Shih Tzus. I now have two of them a mother and her son who I love taking on long walks.

I’m looking forward to getting to know everyone, embracing the challenges ahead, and being part of the exciting opportunities that lie ahead at Oakfield.

Oakfield Easton Maudit Ltd also has a housekeeping team, whose roles include keeping the buildings at both services clean and safe. This team ensures daily cleaning and deep cleaning is completed to a high standard. Our gardener works to sustain the outside environments covering both Easton Maudit and Yardley Hastings.

Our maintenance team across both services ensure all buildings, outside environments and services are safe and well sustained. This team also check the testing and safety are satisfactory.

Our kitchen team are responsible for the cooking, serving, and planning of the delicious food served at Oakfield Community. This team ensures dietary requirements are catered to and menus are designed to be well balanced, healthy, and nutritious.

Our seniors and support staff at both services are on hand to care for the people we support in all aspects. They support through physical care as well as emotional care and safeguarding.

All staff go through a rigorous recruitment and inductions process, completing mandatory training during their 3-month probationary period and regular on-going refresher training.

Every part of our Oakfield team believes in the vision of Oakfield and thrives to support those in our care to reach their potential, living and leading active, meaningful lives.