CHIEF EXECUTIVE – UPDATING

DEPUTY CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Kate Parker joined CAN in January 2026 as Deputy Chief Executive. She brings extensive experience from across the housing and homelessness sector, most recently as Strategic Lead at Shelter, where she worked on long‑term system change and partnerships that make a real difference for people facing homelessness.

Kate remains deeply committed to ending homelessness and is energised by the vital role that our sector plays in this. She is passionate about empowering grassroots organisations, amplifying lived‑experience voices and fostering collaboration to strengthen communities and drive sustainable solutions to social injustice.

HEAD OF PEOPLE AND COMPANY SECRETARY

Amy joined CAN in December 2019 as Office Manager and Executive Assistant. She previously worked in the legal sector as a personal injury lawyer. She says: “I enjoy a challenge and a good puzzle. I also feel very privileged to work with such a wonderful team”.

OFFICE COORDINATOR

Rachel joined CAN in February 2022 after working in the hospitality sector in the UK and Canada. Rachel says: “I am really excited to be joining the voluntary sector and to have the opportunity to be a part of the inspiring work that CAN do.

SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATION COORDINATOR

Ellen’s background is in Art Psychotherapy and counselling, with experience working in schools, hospitals, prisons, and community organisations. She’s passionate about how creativity, care, and connection can support people through difficult times.

COMMUNICATIONS LEAD

Joining CAN in June 2023, Bethan has spent 10 years bringing creative marketing campaigns, events and experiences to life for businesses across Dorset. She has further background in the theatre, film and television industries.

HEAD OF VOLUNTEERING & VCS DEVELOPMENT

Brian has worked in the voluntary sector since 2010, predominantly with Animal Welfare causes and joined us from the RSPCA, where he was Head of Volunteer Experience.  He believes volunteers strengthen communities through social cohesion, keeping vital services running and building local resilience.  Brian is passionate about championing the benefits of volunteering for the individual as much as the organisation, and that volunteering magic happens when both the volunteer’s motivations are fulfilled and the organisation’s needs are met.  

He helps organisations navigate the changing landscape of volunteering by considering flexible and remote volunteering approaches as well as recruiting to traditional roles.  He also advocates for volunteers to be involved in decision-making and designing how services are delivered because of the experience, skills, enthusiasm and local knowledge they bring.

VCS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Sarah’s background is in advice and guidance, and she has over 14 years experience in the voluntary sector in Dorset and Wiltshire. She has worked with community groups, charities and social enterprises of all shapes and sizes, helping them to develop their organisational infrastructure. This support particularly focused on good governance, legal structure, Trustee roles, responsibilities and legal duties, ensuring organisations run as effectively and sustainably as possible.

VCS DEVELOPMENT LEAD

Natasha’s 20+year career in community development along with retraining in Mental Health (Level 7) and running her own Therapeutic Coaching Practice for almost a decade, has provided her with a solid background to join CAN. Natasha’s purpose is to help people build capacity so they can expand and find freedom from false beliefs that are running their bodies, their personalities and their lives. 

VCS DEVELOPMENT LEAD

For many years, Tama has loved supporting and engaging with so many different Diverse Communities and Faith groups. 

EDC PROJECT MANAGER

Mayu joined CAN in April 2024 as the EDC Project Manager. Her previous role as a Community Engagement Officer at BCP Council has guided her determination and passion to play an active role in the support and engagement of ethnically diverse communities, and to help groups advocate for a stronger community voice. Before joining the council, Mayu worked at Bournemouth University in the field of Global Engagement.

CAPACITY BUILDING OFFICER

An active member of the Nigerian Community in Dorset (NDC), he understands some of the needs of the EDC organisations firsthand. He hopes to leverage these experiences to help build leadership capacity, sustainability, and community influence amongst our ethnically diverse communities.

Oye has diverse experience from the private sector (Investments, Projects and Retail) and is a data enthusiast. Outside of work, he enjoys reading, watching football, and is a fan of Arsenal Football Club.

CAPACITY BUILDING OFFICER

Catia joined CAN in April 2024 as a Capacity building for the Ethnically Diverse Community project. She has worked in both public and corporate sector mainly in the Hospitality and Tourism industry.

With experience in community events organisation, Catia says: “I am excited to support the diverse communities in their journey towards empowerment and positive changes.”

COMMUNITY & SYSTEMS ENGAGEMENT LEAD

Lauren brings experience from the education, care and charity sectors. She has worked in a community engagement role supporting people experiencing homelessness, helping to create opportunities for individuals to share their experiences and influence the services that affect their lives.

With a background in Psychology, Lauren is passionate about meaningful participation and ensuring that people and communities are not only heard but actively involved in shaping decisions. She enjoys developing creative and inclusive approaches to engagement, making sure a diverse range of voices and perspectives are represented.

INFRASTRUCTURE & PARTNERSHIPS LEAD (Jobshare)

Lorraine joined CAN in 2024, bringing over 30 years of experience working in the voluntary and statutory sectors. She has spent time as a social worker and social researcher, as well as in community development, volunteering and commissioning. Her most recent roles were running a county-wide volunteer service for a Hampshire CVS and as part of Dorset NHS Healthcare’s Commissioning team.

INFRASTRUCTURE & PARTNERSHIPS LEAD (Jobshare)

DEVELOPMENT MANAGER 

Sam joined CAN in May 2024 as a project lead working alongside BCP council, looking to make positive changes to the way we deliver day opportunities for people that receive care support in the community – such as learning new skills, access to volunteering and creating support networks.

Sam says: “I’m really looking forward to enabling people, families and carers to share their views and experiences to influence the way we deliver social care locally, working alongside a brilliant team and partners.”

ENGAGEMENT LEAD

After a rewarding career in teaching, Hannah moved to the voluntary sector and began working with CAN in 2016. Her role has adapted over the past few years and she is now delighted to be working closely with local voluntary and community sector groups, facilitating networking opportunities, helping to identify gaps and supporting development to meet the needs of our communities.

DIGITAL ACCESS PROJECT LEAD

Andy brings six years of dedicated experience in the voluntary and community sector alongside 13 years in digital delivery and project management. Most recently, he was a Digital Inclusion Officer at one of the UK’s largest social housing associations, where he led strategies to improve digital access and confidence for residents across 85,000 properties. Before that, he was a Digital Coordinator at a local employability, skills, and wellbeing training provider, working on projects with the Good Things Foundation and Digital Skills Hub Boscombe.

Outside of work, Andy manages a grassroots children’s football team.

COMMUNITY CONNECTOR

Andrea works with the CWC team as a Community Connector, with over 43 years of experience in the Childcare Sector as a Nursery Nurse & Childcare Practitioner. In the NHS, Andrea had various roles, from the 999/Out of Hours Services to Outpatient Administration, although her love is for meeting patients face to face, where she can support & advocate for them and to help them return to the communities they love and remain as independent as possible.

COMMUNITY CONNECTOR

Martin is an experienced connector, having worked as a Project Ambassador on the Building Better Opportunities Ucan Project. Recently, he has delivered employability and wellbeing training to people who really needed it.

Always ready to help and connect, Martin looks forward to meeting you.

CCOMMUNITY CONNECTOR

Poonam holds a double Master’s in Clinical Psychology and Public Health & Health Promotion. She worked as a Special Education Needs Practitioner for 16 years. Poonam is a cultural ambassador bridging diversity through culinary expertise, dance and music skills. Poonam has been instrumental in building an inclusive community for people of Indian heritage in Bournemouth and Poole over the past 6 years.