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 EMPOWER the voluntary sector, ENABLE volunteering and CONNECT communities.”

She also sits on the BCP Health and Wellbeing Board, the Dorset Integrated Care Partnership Board, and is the South West representative on the national VCS Emergencies Partnership.

Karen lives in Poole and in her spare time has a passion for interior design and socialising with friends and family. You may also see her on her kayak in Poole harbour, or navigating the river Stour in Christchurch.

Twitter @karenloftus287

To contact Karen please email karen.loftus@can100.org  or call 01202 466130

Rachel says, ‘I have a passion for health and wellbeing as well as developing and implementing projects so am very excited about working at CAN, alongside partners. Imagining what is possible and seeing the impact that can be achieved for wellbeing across Dorset.’

Rachel lives in Wimborne and in her spare time you will often see her with a coffee in her hand, chatting with friends and family at various cafes or browsing in the shops! She has a passion for art, reading, health and listening to a podcast or two!

To contact Rachel please email Rachel.Trickey@can100.org or call 01202 466130

Amy says: “I enjoy a challenge and a good puzzle, so starting a new role and discovering the potential of what I can bring to the organisation is very exciting. I also feel very privileged to work with such a wonderful team who have welcomed me with open arms.”

She lives in Bournemouth and in her spare time, she is a rugby fan having played in her youth, 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 please email amy.leyland@can100.org or call 01202 466130

‘I’m really excited to join CAN and work with the team to create a positive impact in the local area. I love to organise and plan, and look forward to supporting my colleagues in ensuring we empower, enable and connect communities and volunteers in the best way possible’.

Frescy is based in Poole and can normally be found bouldering or sea swimming in the local area, as well as planning her next trip away in the UK or abroad.

To contact Frescy please email frescy.kopanycia-reynolds@can100.org or call 01202 466130

In her spare time, Rassu enjoys hiking, gardening, spending time with her family and volunteers for a community group supporting women and children.

To contact Rassu please email rassu.rana@can100.org or call 01202 466130

Kelly is passionate about the role of digital systems in providing high-quality and accessible support that empowers frontline professionals to learn more about what the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) has to offers. 

Kelly says: “I am so excited to have the opportunity to work with Community Action Network (CAN)  as it will allow me to utilise my creativity and expertise”

Kelly has lived in Dorset throughout her life and enjoys exploring the local area with her Cocker Spaniel, Crumble. Where possible, she loves travelling to new countries with her friends.

To contact Kelly please email kelly.hewitt@can100.org 

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

He has worked in, and with, the sector most of his adult life (over 40 years now!), in small local charities and a small national one. He has been the Senior Manager and CEO of voluntary/community organisations and a community worker in mostly inner-city areas.

He has been a trustee of various charities and is currently the treasurer of a small childcare charity.

Steve says: “I have a passion for the voluntary and community sector believing it’s how people can make a real difference, especially to their local area. I hope my experience will help groups transform lives.”

To contact Steve please email steve.place@can100.org  or call 01202 466130 / 07966 742933

Louise says “I am very excited to join CAN and such an experienced team. I look forward to working with organisations in Dorset, supporting them to develop fundraising and income strategies to help strengthen their work, making a difference in local communities”

Louise lives in Weymouth and enjoys sea swimming, paddleboarding, cycling and gardening.

To contact Louise please email louise.stewart@can100.org or call 01202 466130 / 07821 663476

These experiences have shown her first-hand how an equitable organisation can take bold action to create a more diverse workplace which leads to better outcomes for the community.

Bekki says: “I hate injustice and have a passion for inclusiveness and accessibility – giving a voice to the “quiet one in the room”. I believe in inclusive communities where everyone feels safe and has an equal voice in helping shape their community and has a sense of purpose and belonging. I am very excited to be joining CAN.”

Bekki spends time with friends and family, grew up in Dorset, and is a bit of a nerd! She loves Syfy, LARPing, D&D and going to the theatre and watching films.

Her friends would say she cares too much and can’t fix everything. She loves animals, in particular cats and elephants, backpacked around the world and enjoys learning about and experiencing different cultures.

To contact Bekki please email bekki.stalker@can100.org 

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 

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!

To contact Amy please email amy.collins@can100.org  or call 01202 466130 / 07971 182166

Liz says: “It was great to be part of a team of people making such a difference in this difficult period of our lives. This led me to CAN and the amazing work they do for the community. I feel fortunate to be working with such lovely, enthusiastic, and dedicated staff and volunteers.”

When Liz is not working, she loves spending time with her family, doing things together. Her dad is really handy, and Italian, so not only does he make amazing food but is also a dab hand at helping Liz with her interior design projects at home.

To contact Liz please email liz.soffe@can100.org  or call 07966 742935

Abi says: “I am thrilled to be joining CAN and the Wellbeing Collaborative as Volunteer Coordinator and to help make volunteering more accessible, empowering, and exciting for the local community in this project. Having volunteered many times myself, I know the value in being a volunteer, as well as the incredible skills you can develop and experiences you can have. I hope to be able to bring this into the new voluntary roles within the Wellbeing Collaborative.”

In her spare time, Abi enjoys Pilates, long walks in the forest with friends and family and spending time with her new Siamese kitten, Nala. She also loves to cook and find new recipes to bake for her family.

To contact Abi please email abi.squires@can100.org 

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 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

Michelle says, “My experience with CAN has been amazing. The opportunity to meet so many fantastic people providing essential support to local communities has been incredible. Passionate volunteers supporting dedicated teams plus the willingness to connect, collaborate and share skills gives the VCS a superpower. And CAN is here to help you every step of the way. It’s free to join – so get in touch.”

Michelle’s spare time is taken up making the most of the glorious natural environment and attempting – in stages – to walk the South West Coastal Path.

To contact Michelle please email michelle.holland@can100.org  or call 01202 466130

Andy says “I am glad to be back working for CAN who are such a lovely team, I am also looking forward to be involved in this role again as I have a passion for engaging with individuals from different backgrounds and ultimately making a difference in peoples lives and the community”

In his spare time, he enjoys meditating, playing football, learning new skills and knowledge particularly around wellbeing and natural health. On the weekend he likes to get outdoors whenever possible, exploring new places, going for long walks and hikes in nature.

To contact Andy please email Andrew.Robertson@can100.org or call 01202 466130

SJ says “It is a true pleasure to work in such an inspiring and kind organisation as CAN. We are creating a new integrated service with a dedicated team of staff and volunteers to make a real difference to people’s wellbeing; empowering them to connect to vibrant and flourishing community services.”

In her spare time, SJ volunteers for Hospital Radio Bedside. She has lived and worked in Dorset all her life and can be found paddling in the sea or rambling in her local woods. She enjoys simplicity, a good conversation, a great story and listening to music.

To contact SJ please email sj.woods@can100.org or call 01202 466130

Having completing her MA in 2020, she also holds a passion for academic research in Intersectionality Studies with a focus on empowering voices for Women of Colour.

Nazia says “I’m so honoured to be able to work for an uplifting and empowering organisation, that amplifies a wide range of communities and individuals voices with a platform to strive. I’m so excited to be part of the Wellbeing Collaborative Service and to see it thrive and flourish with it’s wonderful cause.”

In her spare time, Nazia loves reading different genres of books, staying up late (just about!) watching her favourite K-Drama series and winding down with a good cup of tea with her family and friends.

To contact Nazia please email nazia.islam@can100.org 

More recently she moved back into the third sector, where she provided 1:1 employability coaching to individuals looking to get back into work.

Sarah says “I always knew that my purpose was people, their wellbeing and empowering them to flourish and is why I work and volunteer in this sector. I am committed to life-long learning and combine qualifications in Life Coaching and Information, Advice and Guidance to support this. I’m really excited and motivated to work for CAN, especially on an integrated service that will have such a positive impact on the wellbeing of our community and those that live and work in it”.

In her spare time Sarah is a volunteer Ambassador for Dorset Mind, which she is really proud of. Her other passion is sport having played at a competitive level for many years she is now confined to being a spectator, her main love being F1. She loves walking for her own wellbeing and has been known to cover many miles on her trusted bike Connell!

To contact Sarah please email sarah.hopkins@can100.org

More recently he has been working in education, supporting the teaching and learning of key stage 1 and 2 children, including working for several years as one to one with children who have special educational needs.

Gareth says: “I am really looking forward to being part of the work CAN does to empower individuals, groups and communities. I have a real passion for supporting people and seeing them thrive and grow to reach their potential so I am excited to be part of a team that is dedicated to seeing this happen.”

Gareth lives in Bournemouth. In his spare time; he has recently taken up running but prefer getting out for walks and exploring both locally and further afield, especially if it involves history such as castles or museums. 

To contact Gareth please email gareth.dunning@can100.org 

Ruth says: “I’m very excited to be working with such an amazing team and to work on projects that will have such a positive impact on my local community.”

She lives in Bournemouth and in her spare time she loves to design knitting and crochet patterns. You’ll also find her out walking, running, visiting ancient sites and wildlife spotting.  

To contact Ruth please email ruth.haydock@can100.org 

“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.

Lucy says: “I am looking forward to getting stuck into the challenge of working in the voluntary sector. I am keen to advocate for vulnerable adults in our area, to try to achieve better outcomes and support for them. I am excited to be part of CAN where creativity and autonomy are encouraged.”  

Lucy has grown up in the local area and still lives in Bournemouth, she spends her spare time experimenting with plant-based recipes in the kitchen and trying her hand at DIY projects in her new home. Lucy can often be seen taking her two cats out for walks or even for weekends away in the local and surrounding area!  

Lucy’s pronouns are she / her.