Karen Loftus, CEO of Community Action Network – Health and Wellbeing Board (BCP), Local Resilience Forum (pan-Dorset), Vibrant Communities Partnership Board (BCP),  Voluntary and Community Sector Emergencies Partnership (South West), Health Inequalities Steering Group (HIG). Karen joined CAN in May 2019. She has worked in both the voluntary and public sector over the past 20 years, 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.

Head of Research and Transformation, Community Action Network – Dorset ICS Seasonal Planning Delivery Group. Rachel joined CAN in August 2022 after working in the public sector for the past 28 years and has a passion for health and wellbeing. She started her career in education and most recently worked in children’s services at Dorset Council, taking on several roles during her time there.

Head of Engagement, Community Action Network – Early Help Partnership Board (BCP Council) and its workstreams. Emma joined CAN in September 2020 and has over 10 years’ experience within the voluntary and community sector. She is passionate about the work and impact VCS organisations have on both the communities it works directly with and the wider impact it can have by ensuring people’s voices are heard.

Head of VCS Development, Community Action Network – Pan-Dorset Prevent Partnership Board. Amy has worked for CAN for over 13 years having originally 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. Her passion lies in ensuring volunteers are connected with meaningful opportunities, empowering them to make a tangible difference in their local communities. 

CEO of SEDCAT – Dorset & BCP Joint Safeguarding Adult Board (BCP representative). 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.  

Charity Manager of West Howe Community Enterprises – Safeguarding Children & Young People Board (BCP Council). Julie is passionate about representing the VCS as she believes it is important to have representation across all sectors when working in partnership. She has 18 years’ experience of working in the Justice system for the Public Sector and now having been with WHCE for 18 months, have gained much experience in the voluntary and community sector.

CEO of Escapeline – Missing, Exploited and Trafficked (MET) Panel (BCP). 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.