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Karen Loftus
CHIEF EXECUTIVE
Karen joined CAN in May 2019. Over the past 30 years, she has worked in both the voluntary and public sectors and held senior positions in local and national charities, including NHS Dorset HealthCare University Foundation Trust, NHS primary care, and what was The Borough of Poole in Children’s Centres.
Karen says: ’It’s a joy to be Chief Executive of such a brilliant charity with a committed board of trustees and a motivated staff team, developing CAN to fulfil our mission to serve and champion Dorset’s voluntary and community sector.
She sits on the BCP Health and Wellbeing Board and attends boards and meetings influencing public policy from the perspective of local charities and community groups.
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Karen is from Poole and has a passion for interior design and socialising with friends and family. Her happy place is at the beach or on the sea
Twitter @karenloftus287
To contact Karen, email karen.loftus@can100.org or call 01202 466130
PEOPLE
Amy Leyland
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”.
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She lives in Bournemouth and is a rugby fan, having played in her youth, she enjoys dancing and is usually planning her next holiday or adventure.
You may see her walking her beloved family dog Max in the New Forest or scuba diving off Swanage Pier.
To contact Amy email amy.leyland@can100.org or call 01202 466130
Rachel Pascoe (Maternity leave)
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.
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“I’m thrilled to be involved in the local community and can’t wait to see how CAN continues to grow.”
In her spare time, she is kept busy studying part time for a degree in Criminology and Law. When she gets chance she loves hiking and exploring new places and is a keen amateur baker.
To contact Rachel please email rachel.pascoe@can100.org or call 01202 466130
Kara Byatt
OFFICE COORDINATOR
Kara joined CAN in August 2024. She has worked in many different sectors over the last 23 years, including the Metropolitan Police Service, the RNLI and the renewable energy sector. She also has a varied background working in senior administrative roles, social media, marketing and events. Kara is enjoying using and developing her skills with the CAN family.
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Kara says “I love where we live and the community spirit we have here. I’m most looking forward to helping make our community even better together!”.
In her spare time, Kara enjoys playing and umpiring netball, paddleboarding, and going on local adventures with her husband, their 4 children and their dog.
To contact Kara please email kara.byatt@can100.org or call 01202 466130
Sasha Ruprecht
OFFICE COORDINATOR
Sasha joined CAN in September 2025. She has a deep interest in how communities shape wellbeing, particularly for individuals at risk of isolation. With hands-on experience in care work and volunteering, Sasha is passionate about inclusive, community-driven initiatives and is enthusiastic about contributing to CAN’s mission.
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“I’m thrilled to be part of CAN and to keep learning about the incredible work being done to support our local communities through charity.”
Outside of work, Sasha loves exploring the natural beauty of the local area, whether it’s walking through forests, heaths, parks, or along the coast. When she’s not out exploring, she will be enjoying creative projects like painting, sculpting, and crafting.
To contact Sasha please email sasha.ruprecht@can100.org or call 01202 466130
Bethan Hopkins
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.
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Bethan says ”I don’t think I’ll ever run out of enthusiasm for volunteering, and am excited to be part of a team dedicated to supporting people and organisations to share fantastic opportunities and experiences. You really never know where a volunteering journey can take you!”
In addition to her role with CAN, Bethan is a professional pet-sitter, a board game enthusiast, huge cinephile and a keen gardener who can often be found on her allotment plot.
To contact Bethan please email bethan.hopkins@can100.org
VCS DEVELOPMENT
Amy Collins
HEAD OF VCS DEVELOPMENT
Amy has worked for CAN for over 13 years having come from a corporate background. Amy firmly believes that volunteers are the lifeblood of the Voluntary and Community sector. She emphasises the critical importance of providing support and guidance to organisations for effective volunteer recruitment and management. She ensures volunteers are connected with meaningful opportunities and empowered to make a difference in their local communities.
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Amy says: “Volunteering can have a huge impact on people’s lives, helping them to build their confidence, gain valuable skills and giving them a true sense of purpose. Through my role, I help individuals find the right volunteer opportunity, as well as ensuring that the charity they volunteer for are fully supported and follow good practice.”
In her spare time, Amy volunteers for several different local charities. If she can’t be found bucket collecting or marshalling, you may see her out paddleboarding, though she hasn’t yet mastered the knack of standing up! She can also be found bathing hedgehogs at New Milton Hedgehog Rescue or fulfilling Trustee duties for Dorset Children’s Foundation.
To contact Amy please email amy.collins@can100.org or call 01202 466130 / 07971 182166
Deborah McClure
TRANSFORMATION LEAD, CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE
Debs is a seasoned practitioner who brings over 20 years of experience supporting children, young people, and families across health, education, and community settings.
Her compassionate approach is deeply rooted in safeguarding principles, trauma-informed care, and values-led leadership, qualities honed through decades of hands-on work in complex, high-pressure environments.
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In her role leading youth volunteering at Community Action Network, Debs combines strategic clarity with creative outreach to build meaningful civic spaces.
She believes passionately in volunteering as a transformative gateway to confidence, connection, and positive change for young people.
When she’s not empowering the next generation, she finds joy in life’s simple pleasures, tending her garden, spending peaceful moments on the water, and cherishing time with her loved ones, especially her faithful companion, Dot the dog.
Marie Pandolfo
It is with great sadness that we share that Marie died on 11th August 2025 at the age of 44, surrounded by her family and friends. Marie was of dual French and Italian nationality and moved to the UK in 2011. She settled in Poole in 2015 to support the local voluntary sector, helping public partners in securing and managing external funding, especially grants. She told us that her greatest achievement was being the mummy of an amazing little girl with special needs. We will miss her greatly.
Sarah Pickering
BCP VCS DEVELOPMENT LEAD
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.
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To contact Sarah please email sarah.pickering@can100.org
Natasha Senior
BCP 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.
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Natasha launched a community interest company, New Forest Mind Body & Spirit CIC running nature inspired wellness programs, grounded in trauma awareness and nervous system understanding, to empower people during life’s changes and challenges.
Natasha is excited to join CAN and work with the sector to strengthen provision to ensure our communities are well supported and heard. Natasha has 2 children and 2 whippets and is often found in the New Forest taking photos of mushrooms!
To contact Natasha please email: natasha.senior@can100.org
Mayu Rouco-Santos
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.
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Mayu comes from a little town in Spain but throughout the years, she has studied and volunteered in different countries. This has provided her with first-hand experience of cultural challenges but also of the great opportunities and richness that comes alongside with those.
In her free time, Mayu volunteers at the Social Canteen in Boscombe. She highly values wellbeing and practicing yoga really helps her feel grounded and keep active. She also loves poetry and spoken word. She co-hosts a local poetry night called ‘’Getting Poetical’’ and you can often find her on stage performing at local community events, cabarets and festivals.
To contact Mayu please email mayu.rouco-santos@can100.org
Catia Leite
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.”
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In her free time, Catia is a spirited explorer with a heart full of wander and wonder. A travelling enthusiast and fond of weekends away. She can easily be found at local farmers’ markets, volunteering at community events, visiting and supporting local small businesses.
To contact Catia please email catia.leite@can100.org
Tama Merdaci
CAPACITY BUILDING OFFICER
Tama is part of the EDC project, working to support local Ethnically Diverse Communities and help them build.
For many years, Tama has loved supporting and engaging with so many different Diverse Communities and Faith groups. She is currently a Chaplain for the UHD hospitals including St. Mary’s Maternity and the BU and AUB Universities working with supporting local student community and International Students.
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Tama is a revert to Islam for over 30 years, and a mother to five amazing daughters. Her passion is Education and supporting the Planet with the next generation’s guidance. Planting the seed by building our community so the next generation can grow.
To contact Tama please email tama.merdaci@can100.org
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Emma says: “I am passionate about the work and impact the charity sector has both on the communities it works with directly and the wider impact it can have by ensuring peoples voices are heard.”
Emma is keen to ensure CAN has a significant impact on the causes, projects and organisations they work with and strives to make things better.
In her spare time Emma enjoys being with her family, usually exploring the countryside.
To contact Emma please email Emma.Lee@can100.org or call 07971 759189
Hannah Rees
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.
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Hannah says: “Leaving teaching was a tough decision but working in the voluntary sector has helped me feel I still have the opportunity to make a difference, for which I am very grateful.”
In her spare time, Hannah enjoys walking her beloved dog in the beautiful area around Christchurch and Southbourne. She loves spending time with family and friends, going to the theatre and live music.
She is passionate about animals, the environment and travelling, taking every opportunity to sample delicious food from around the world!
To contact Hannah please email hannah.rees@can100.org or call 07966 742900
Dani Ford-Horne
MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT LEAD
Dani has been volunteering and working in the voluntary sector since she was a teenager. She studied Health Science at university and is passionate about enabling equal access to health and other opportunities. She has worked in the sector for over a decade, mainly developing Voluntary Youth Projects and Youth Volunteering. Nowadays she runs a wellbeing business as well as working for CAN developing their membership offering.
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To contact Dani please email dani.ford-horne@can100.org
Andrea Holloway
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.
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When Andrea isn’t working, she can be found in the Communal Garden where she lives – revamping a tired & very neglected space, making it into a colourful, exciting & welcoming space. Andrea is an excellent baker & her cakes are legendary! She enjoys spending time with her husband and 7 grandchildren, ranging in age from 6 months to 19 years. In her spare time, she and her husband are busy volunteering for a local CIC, University Hospital Dorset Charity and are corporate members of a local Rotary group. A relatively new addition to taking up her spare time is her husband’s band where Andrea is known as ‘Jill of all trades’ from sound engineer/roadie/photographer/social media & PA!!!
To contact Andrea please email andrea.holloway@can100.org
Martin Robinson
COMMUNITY CONNECTOR
Martin is used to connecting with people throughout Dorset after working 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.
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He lives in Poole and really appreciates walks around Poole and Baiter parks. Out of work, Martin enjoys creating content around mental health and wellbeing.
To contact Martin please email martin.robinson@can100.org
Poonam Paranjpe
COMMUNITY CONNECTOR
Poonam holds double Master’s in clinical psychology and public health & health Promotion. She has worked as a Special Education Needs Practitioner for 16 years. Poonam is a cultural ambassador bridging the diversity through showcase of her culinary expertise, exceptional dance and music skills withing the BCP Community. Poonam has been instrumental in building an inclusive community for those with an Indian heritage in Bournemouth and Poole over the past 6 years.
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She has also been actively involved past 2 years working with Bournemouth University in collaboration with Faculty of Health & Social Sciences & has participated in various workshops to raise awareness about prevention of Dementia in Asians & importance of healthy nutrition.
Poonam was awarded the COVID-19 Response Award 2022 by the Women’s Community Impact Awards held annually in Dorset. She was also chosen & awarded at the House of Commons in London for Community Spirit Category in 2024. Poonam was also recognised an award Nominee by BBC Radio Solent Make a Difference Award 2025.
‘My passion is to help people in need’
Paul Norton
RESEARCH ENGAGEMENT LEAD
Paul joined CAN in October 2024 as Research Engagement Lead. He has previously worked across sectors in leadership roles. He was formerly Managing Director of Steps Charity and CEO of Memento, a tech start-up. He continues to work as a strategic advisor, mentor, and NED.
‘I’m delighted to join CAN and bring my experience, know-how and network to a purpose driven role. I am excited to support the team in their push for continued growth and delivery in BCP.’
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In his spare time Paul likes reading, writing, and training at the local gym, but most of all, he enjoys time with his family.
To contact Paul please email paul.norton@can100.org
Chris Small
DIGITAL ACCESS PROJECT LEAD
Chris joined CAN in March 2022. He has worked in the charity sector since graduating in 2004. Chris has experience as a front-line support worker and senior manager working with vulnerable adults and young people. Prior to CAN, Chris was a Director of a University Students’ Union.
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Chris says ”I have worked closely with CAN throughout my career, especially in relation to supporting volunteering in the community, and I am delighted to now be part of the team.”
In addition to his part-time role with CAN, Chris undertook a change of career in 2021 becoming a professional artist. He enjoys portraiture and has provided artwork to a range of professional boxers, including a number of world champions. Chris lives in Bournemouth and enjoys movies and spending time with his family.
To contact Chris please email chris.small@can100.org or call 01202 466130
Hannah Haugvik
DATA AND SYSTEMS COORDINATOR
Hannah joined CAN in June 2025 in the role of Data and Systems Coordinator as part of the ACSS project. After studying languages at university, she worked in the education sector as a primary school teaching assistant before moving to the voluntary sector a couple of years ago.
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Hannah says “I am very excited to join the team and contribute to the great work CAN do for our local community. I am looking forward to being a part of the ACSS project which is an important initiative for recording and sharing important data of all the incredible services available across BCP and Dorset.”
Outside of work, she is a keen runner and is part of the Dorset Doddlers running club. On the weekends she enjoys being out in nature across Dorset, travelling to new places or staying home and baking something sweet.
To contact Hannah please email hannah.haugvik@can100.org or call 01202 466130
Samantha Bingham
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.”
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Sam has over ten years’ experience working in the public and charity sector helping to design and improve services for communities through partnership working, service design, communications and engagement.
In her spare time Sam loves being out in nature, spending time with family as well as getting creative through illustrating and painting.
To contact Samantha please email Samantha.Bingham@can100.org
Ivana Sandoval
TRUSTED REVIEWER
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Rosie Equi
TRUSTED REVIEWER
Rosie joined CAN in July 2024 as a Trusted Reviewer. She has a background in Adult Social Care and has worked within the Public Health and community sector for the past year since graduating her Master’s in Public Health.
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Rosie says: “I am delighted to join CAN as part of the Trusted Reviewer team! With a background in Adult Social Care and Public Health, I am excited to be part of a team sharing a passion to improve the health and wellbeing of those vulnerable in society.”
In her spare time, Rosie runs an activity group for older people struggling with social isolation and loneliness in Bournemouth. She also enjoys traveling, having recently returned from volunteering in South Africa!
To contact Rosie please email rosie.equi@can100.org
Lorraine Lambert
TRUSTED REVIEWER
Lorraine joined CAN in 2024 bringing over 30 years experience of 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.
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Lorraine’s passion lies in doing things a bit differently and exploring innovative ways to help individuals and communities lead happier, healthier lives. She is very much looking forward to the continuing this within the Trusted Reviewer Project.
Outside of work Lorraine is an author, blogger and avid bike rider. She loves nothing more than going on long cycle-touring trips in the UK and abroad,, getting muddy and eating cake. Her goal is to get everybody she meets to try riding a bicycle.
To contact Lorraine please email lorraine.lambert@can100.org
Ellen Higgins
TRUSTED REVIEWER
‘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.
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As a Trusted Reviewer at CAN, Ellen brings a trauma-informed and grounded approach to supporting community-rooted projects. She’s especially committed to making sure voices that are often overlooked are given the space and recognition they deserve.
Outside of work, Ellen enjoys being outdoors, cooking, and hanging out with dogs.’
To contact Ellen please email ellen.higgins@can100.org
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