Rebecca Barr
Chair

I originally joined AdvoCard in October 2020 as CEO after a long career in social care, and am pleased to continue my involvement now as a Board member. I qualified as a …social worker in 1984 and since then have worked in five local authorities, four charities and one independent support provider. Working with advocacy is a natural progression, as its emphasis on listening to people and ensuring their voices and views are heard has been a guiding principle for me throughout my working life.

I live in Edinburgh on the edge of the Pentlands and when not at work, I enjoy walking and appreciating the wonderful green spaces so close to the city.

Lisa Nowak
Vice Chair

My background is in the Education sector, and I currently work as an Academic Developer at Scotland’s Rural College. Prior to this, I was involved in Students’ Unions through working for NUS and Edinburgh University. In these roles I have gained …experience supporting organisations with their governance structures, accountability and stakeholder engagement. I have also designed representation systems, modules and development packages for staff and students.

My background is in the Education sector, and I currently work as an Academic Developer at Scotland’s Rural College. Prior to this, I was involved in Students’ Unions through working for NUS and Edinburgh University. In these roles I have gained experience supporting organisations with their governance structures, accountability and stakeholder engagement. I have also designed representation systems, modules and development packages for staff and students.

I have a PhD in the Philosophy of Psychiatry and an MA in Medical Ethics, where I focussed on stigma and mental illness. I still occasionally write papers and present at mental health conferences. In the past, I volunteered for AdvoCard for several years. I am delighted to take up this position on the Board: it is an organisation which I really believe in, and advocacy is such a vital service, with a clear basis in human rights.

Apart from all the career stuff, I serve as a Panel Member in the Children’s Hearings System. I’m from Manchester and my favourite hobby is mountain biking (specifically, trying not to fall off the mountain bike!). I have lived in Scotland for roughly 5 years now and have really loved it. I’m very excited to take on this role and support such an amazing charity.

Karen Anderson
Board Member

I was the first person employed by AdvoCard back in August 1994. At the time it was a tiny ‘pilot’ project tasked with developing a way to provide advocacy for people in crisis in the North East of Edinburgh. That AdvoCard has grown and developed so much over… the years is a testament to the hard work, commitment and dedication of the many staff, volunteers and  board members(or committee members as they were in the beginning) who have been involved over the years.  I am never anything less than astonished and very pleased when I see the fantastic organisation that has grown up from these very, very small and uncertain beginnings.

I decided to connect with AdvoCard again through becoming a board member, as having been a part of the organisation for nearly 25 years I am very aware of the importance of advocacy and the great benefit that it can be to people, and so wanted to continue to support it in some way. It also was a way of reconnecting with the staff and volunteers, who I have missed in the years since I retired.

I have had plenty of spare time on my hands over the last couple of years as I have been recuperating from the health issues that led to my retiring from work.  I have mostly filled it with listening to music, reading and watching films. However, we moved out into East Lothian a couple of years ago, and as my mobility is improving we are enjoying exploring the countryside around us. I also enjoy photography and am looking forward to being able to travel further afield to find more interesting things and places to photograph.

Ben Baldock
CEO

I have lived in Edinburgh for 27 years, and half of this time has been working in Advocacy. I have a lot of experience of working in healthcare settings, and in particular working with people who are subject to a variety of mental health legislation. I feel very strongly about… how we, as a society, respect and recognise the rights and wishes of those around us. In particular when people find themselves struggling to express their needs, and may need others to provide support and services

I was previously a manager with AdvoCard before coming into my current role as CEO, and I am fortunate to be supported by a very competent, skilled and diligent team of advocates.

When not at work, I can be found in the Pentlands walking with my dog.

Arlene Astley
Operations and Development Manager

Coming from a varied professional background in mental health work, combined with 6 years with the DWP, joining AdvoCard in 2013 as the Welfare Reform Worker was the perfect post for me to use the experience I had gained in both fields. I also have… a long history of volunteering, having sat on the boards of two organisations and volunteered with many others and I was impressed by the quality of the volunteer program that we have here at AdvoCard.

I am passionate about advocacy and really believe in the value of the service that we offer to people who would otherwise struggle to be heard. I am lucky to lead a professional and supportive team who make my role so much easier and I look forward to helping AdvoCard to continue to grow successfully.