Chief Executive – Community Action Network

Karen brings her extensive experience of co-production and strategic working in the NHS and local authority, along with her knowledge and intelligence of the VCS through leading CAN.

Karen is an active member of:

• Health and Wellbeing Board (BCP Council)
• Local Resilience Forum
• Health Inequalities Steering Group (NHS)
• Place based steering group (NHS/Councils)
• Integrated Neighbourhood Team – Engagement Workstream (NHS/Councils)
• CAN Advisory Council
• Place Quality Improvement Groups

Head of Engagement – Community Action Network

Emma heads up our transformation and engagement team including our Networks and Wellbeing Collaborative. She has extensive experience working in the voluntary sector both at CAN and at Citizen’s Advice BCP.

Emma is an active member of:

• Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Early Help
  1. Partnership Board
  2. Communications and Community Workstream
  3. Workforce development
• Integrated Neighbourhood Teams – Engagement Workstream

Head of VCS Development – Community Action Network

Amy has worked for CAN for over 15 years having come from a corporate background. Amy heads up CAN’s VCS Development team, who provide advice, support and training to ensure a sustainable and well-governed sector.

Amy is an active member of:

• Prevent Partnership Group
• NAVCA and NCVO volunteering development groups at a national level

CEO of SEDCAT

SEDCAT is a local transport charity working with many different types of vulnerable adults in addition to this Natascha has over 10 years of experience dealing with vulnerable people with a disability. 

Natascha is an active member of:

• Dorset & BCP Joint Safeguarding Adult Board (BCP representative).

Chair, Dorset Women CIC

As Chair of Dorset Women CIC she leads their project to create a Dorset Women’s Charter which will set out what women should be able to expect across 10 aspects of life and society. One of these areas of work is Safety and Justice, a subject about which Marianne is particularly passionate. She stood as a candidate in the Police and Crime Commissioner election in the Spring of 2024 as part of her commitment to end Violence Against Women and Girls and to work in partnerships to tackle the root causes of crimes like Domestic Violence, Stalking, Harassment, Rape and Online Abuse.

Marianne has enjoyed a career in a variety of leadership positions across health, social care and the charity sector. She retired from the role as CEO of a local mental health charity two years ago, and brings her expertise in mental health, inequality, and leadership to this role on the BCP Domestic Abuse Strategy Group to advocate for a new kind of society for women. She also coaches women individually and in groups who want to shape a new future for themselves and for other women and girls.”

Marianne is an active member of:

• Domestic Abuse Strategy Group (BCP Council)

CEO, Untapped (UK)

Sue is an Art Psychotherapist and children’s trauma therapist and the founder of Untapped (UK) CIC a charity providing art psychotherapy to vulnerable children and young people in the BCP area. She has been working and supporting children, young people and adults who are neurodivergent and/or have a Learning Disability, since 1987. Sue is passionate about under-represented groups having a voice and equal access to mental health care and statutory services, and ensuring the Voluntary and Community Sector are included in the design and development of services.

Sue is an active member of:

• SEND Improvement Board – Coproduction Workstreams (BCP Council)

Charity Manager, West Howe Community Enterprises

Julie is passionate about representing charities and community groups as she believes it is important to have representation across all sectors when working in partnership. She has 18 years experience working in the Justice system for the Public Sector and much experience in the voluntary and community sector.

Julie is an active member of:

• Safeguarding Children & Young People Board (BCP Council).

CEO of Escapeline

Escapeline is a unique and specialist charity supporting and preventing young people being exploited by criminal gangs, known as county lines through training and education to professionals, young people, parents and the community. As well as 1-1 support to young people involved in county lines and support to parents whose children have been exploited by criminal gangs.

Lisa set up the charity in 2019, after identifying so many children were being exploited by county line gangs. Consequently, Lisa has a wealth of knowledge and experience that she is keen to share and support better partnership working to protect children and young people of BCP.

Lisa is an active member of:

• Missing, Exploited and Trafficked (MET) Panel (BCP)