Registered Charity Number 1096040. Last update 26 Jan 2016

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Leaders’ Profiles

Nicky Mann - Chief Executive

Nicky is currently the Chief Executive of Dorset Advocacy. Nicky has extensive management experience initially in the corporate sector where she had extensive operational and resource management experience and in recent years within the voluntary sector with Dorset Advocacy where she has held a number of positions. Nicky has worked with the senior management team to develop Dorset Advocacy's project portfolio and has helped the organisation increase income by 600% since she joined. Nicky's' key skills include working with others to ensure innovative approaches to identify and deliver new project opportunities and develop the organisation business structure. This includes having a clear understanding of the benefits of ensuring technology is used effectively within all our work. Nicky is a trained IMCA.

Nicky is very clear that everyone should have the same rights and opportunities within their communities and will speak up whenever necessary to assure this is attained.

Mike Pochin - Operations Director

Mike has been with Dorset Advocacy since its inception in 1993.  In that time, he has been a Volunteer Advocacy Co-ordinator, Professional Advocate, Independent Mental Capacity Advocate, Advocacy Manager and Development Manager.  Mike’s major interest has been in the development of the Dorset Advocacy team, and to this end he has written a number of successful funding bids, and played a leading role in the development of the many tenders we have submitted over the years.  He has written and delivered advocacy training materials, including parts of the original Department of Health IMCA training.  He was among the first advocates nationally to be awarded the Independent Advocacy Qualification, and co-authored ‘A Right Result: Advocacy, Justice and Empowerment’ (Policy Press, 2001) copies of which he still tries to foist on unsuspecting visitors to our offices!

His other abiding interest is in measuring and demonstrating quality and impact in advocacy.  He played a key role in the development of the DA Online database, and is currently working with other groups to develop a Social Value Task Force for Dorset.

Graham Willetts - Chairman

Graham retired recently after a working life of public service in social care, as social worker, manager, trainer and consultant. For most of this time he worked with and for people with disabilities of all ages. He worked on disability service audits and policy development with the Social Services Inspectorate and Department of Health, in the employment either of local government or voluntary sector organisations. He ran a national project training people with disabilities for representational roles in Social Services forums.

Born into a disabled family, Graham's commitment to disadvantaged and vulnerable people runs deep, and he is proud to be a trustee of Dorset Advocacy.

David Wakeford MBE - Vice Chairman

David has been a Trustee for 18 months. Prior to this he ran his own consultancy business focused on international trade, and was a Director of Africa Invest a company focused on farming in Malawi, supporting the poor and less able families in the area of the farms. He has extensive experience and proven achievement in international business from both the public and private sector perspectives. He was a Director of the Commonwealth Business Council and Chief Executive (senior civil servant) of a Government Organisation - SITPRO.  His early career started as a research chemist and via purchasing management became the International Trade Manager of a multinational business. Having become aware of the excellent service that Dorset Advocacy provides for those less able people in the community, he is keen to help the organisation to become an even greater asset for the community. He is committed to using his extensive experience of business organisation and management in combination with the skills of his colleagues to help deliver  a supportive service for the less able locally, and to strengthen and sustain Dorset Advocacy in what is a very challenging environment.

Graham Oliver - Trustee

Prior to his retirement Graham spent the majority of his career in Human Resources Management within the Electricity Supply Industry and latterly was heavily involved with the lead up to the privatisation, and implementation of the consequential substantial business changes.   Graham subsequently worked at two Further Education Colleges undertaking roles in HR and Administration Management and as Company Secretary to the Governing Bodies.  Therefore his interests are focused on mainly on H R and corporate governance matters.  Graham has served as a Director and Chair of a substantial leasehold management company and undertaken charitable activities with NCH, Round Table and Rotary.   Graham has been a Trustee of Dorset Advocacy since 2007 and has been Vice Chair and Chair of Trustees.   

John Smith - Trustee and Treasurer

John trained as a psychiatric nurse and has a degree in psychology.  He has extensive experience of researching and developing services for children and adults with learning disabilities. This includes the evaluation of alternatives to large mental handicap hospitals in the Wessex Region, which led to their closure, moving individuals from the large hospitals into 25 bed then 8 bed units.  John also introduced and evaluated Portage services for pre-school children with severe learning disabilities.  Working with Cheshire Homes in Dorchester, John was instrumental in setting up three bed units; these were the first in the country and this is now the accepted model.   John was involved with local statutory and voluntary bodies in setting up Dorset Advocacy in 1993; as well as his significant knowledge and experience of Learning Disabilities, John is the Treasurer on the Board of Trustees.   John is also a Trustee of the Mill Street Housing Society, which has 85 units,  half of which are sheltered housing.

Frances Stevens - Trustee

Frances has recently retired from the NHS following a long career as a senior manager. Frances has extensive experience of operational management and commissioning (including joint commissioning) in a range of areas, including the acute sector, primary care, community services, mental health, learning disabilities and offender health.  In her commissioning roles, Frances takes an innovative approach to service design, recognising the importance of true participation and co-production with people who will be users of those services.  Frances’ key skills include working with others to develop effective partnerships to deliver change. Her main interest is in working with vulnerable groups and reducing inequalities through ensuring services are person centred and meet the needs of individuals, rather than forcing people to fit into traditional service models.  Frances’ role as a Trustee with Dorset Advocacy is an ideal way to put into effect her commitment to vulnerable people.

Fiona Brind - Trustee

Fiona is the Carer of a teenage son with Autism. Over the past 15 years she has spent numerous hours acting as his Advocate. This has made her acutely aware of the importance of Advocacy and the vital role of the Advocate.

 

Fiona has been aware of the good work done by Dorset Advocacy for the last twenty years and so was very pleased to be asked to become a Trustee in early 2012.

 

When not acting as a Carer, Fiona works as the Financial Administrator for two local charities. She is also involved with various special needs support and activity groups such as the Dorset Parent Carer Council, and Artz+.