The hard-working team of over 60 people at Advocacy Focus, including employees, volunteers and trustees, are all dedicated to supporting the well-being of individuals in our local community.
This page is just a short introduction to our Leadership Team, but look out for our news, blogs and articles each week as we introduce you to our Advocates and volunteers, who are essential to providing the best possible support and outcomes for those who need us.
Justine Forster – CEO
Justine joined the Advocacy Focus team as Chief Executive Officer in 2014 at a time of real change affecting the delivery of advocacy services. She has considerable experience in social work, charitable work and education, making her a spearhead for positive developments in the sector.
Born and bred in Lancashire and with a background in the armed forces, Justine made the move to the third sector around 15 years ago, after realising that her real motivation for work was to reach out to the most marginalised members of society and give them the support they need.
Justine has transformed our culture into a women friendly and supportive environment that encourages and promotes the health and wellbeing of every single employee, as well as providing a platform for growth and development. She has overseen the significant expansion of our charity, taking our charity outside of Lancashire and across the North West. She also regularly takes to the stage to provide talks around her core passions including children’s mental health and the menopause.
In May 2018, Justine won the Excellence in Engagement Award at the North-West Employee Engagement Group (NWEEG) Awards 2018 for her role in transforming the Advocacy Focus culture. In 2019, Justine won the Champion of Women Award at the Ex-Forces in Business Awards, an awards ceremony celebrating the impact and value ex-military personnel bring to business.
Leanne Hignett – Services Director
With a background in social work and holding her Independent Advocacy Qualification, Leanne is a passionate and visionary leader who always puts the people accessing our service at the heart of all of our advocacy and advocacy related provision. She encapsulates all of our organisational values and works tirelessly to help people live the lives they want to live via our best practice advocacy service delivery. Leanne is also an active participant in the ‘Leaders in Advocacy’ national group and sits on many safeguarding and task and finish groups locally, relationship management and partnership working being key aspects of her role.
When Leanne joined the Advocacy Focus team after working as a social worker for a local authority, it was clear that her heart lay with advocacy. She was pivotal in developing our Care Act service, and being a highly skilled and qualified Independent Advocate, ensured that Advocacy Focus was one of the first advocacy services in the UK to train our team in all strands of advocacy and deliver an Advocacy Hub model. This forward thinking, innovative approach streamlined our services and ensured a ‘tell us once’ approach for the people who needed timely and effective advocacy support. It was this enthusiasm and commitment to the development of our services that saw her rise quickly through the ranks to become part of our senior leadership team. As Service Delivery Director, Leanne is responsible for a team of Advocacy Managers and over 30 Independent Advocates. Under Leanne’s tutelage and guidance, our team are trained and equipped to deliver sector leading,accessible advocacy services throughout our communities.
Leanne’s development of our core services has been pivotal in helping to change the lives of the people we work with and the health and social care outcomes they have achieved. As a result of this our services have received numerous awards and sector recognition and she was personally recognised nationally for her leadership skills at the Third Sector Care Awards, where she was shortlisted for the Leadership Award at the age of 27.
Jake Mills
Jake Mills is an award-winning stand-up comedian, mental health campaigner and CEO.
Described as the ‘Dalai Lama of Mental Health’, Jake founded and runs the multi-award winning national mental health charity, Chasing the Stigma, following his own battle with depression and suicide attempt in 2013.
From a place of despair and personal turmoil, Jake created the Hub of Hope, a ground-breaking mental health database that has since become the UK’s biggest and most comprehensive mental health signposting tool, revolutionising mental health pathways in the UK.
Jake was appointed CEO of Chasing the Stigma in February 2018 and has singlehandedly driven the charity forward to become one of the fastest rising and well-respected mental health charities in the UK, with it being awarded a BIMA Award, Third Sector Care and Charity Times award.
In 2018, Jake developed the Ambassador of Hope mental health training programme, a fully accredited and accessible training programme, making it easier for organisations to equip all members of staff with the knowledge to talk about mental health confidently within the workplace. The training has already been rolled out to thousands across different sectors, working with organisations such as the Premier League and Government offices.
Jake is an avid Evertonian and a self-confessed Bruce Springsteen fanatic. Most importantly though, he is a husband to Rachael and a dad to Teddy and Nancy.
We are fortunate to be governed by a wonderfully experienced and supportive Board of Trustees, who provide us with support at strategic level to ensure that Advocacy Focus is running in the most effective way possible as a registered charity and key community organisation.
If you are interested in becoming a trustee, please visit our latest vacancies page where you can apply at HR@advocacyfocus.org.uk
Dean Rodgers
Dean is currently an Accountant at Haworths Limited in Accrington, with a knack for numbers he has taken on this voluntary role to help manage our charity’s finances and help us reach our mission of ‘Advocacy for All’. Dean is now the youngest member of our Board.
A strong work ethic has been drilled into Dean since a young age, growing up watching his hard working parents; his mum a Carer and his dad a lorry driver for Warburtons. He started working whilst still in school and at the age of 16 decided to forgo college and university and head straight into the professional world. Eleven years later, Dean is now a successful, fully qualified Accountant.
Chris Lintern
Chris was delighted to join the Board of Advocacy Focus towards the end of 2020. He has spent almost 20 years specialising in risk management and resilience across a number of sectors, and set up his own business just over three years ago. He has worked within financial services within the banking and insurance arms of the Co-op and at Barclays, and moved to Jermyn Consulting in 2014 before establishing Ashton Resilience in 2017. He provides consultancy support to organisations within financial services, higher and further education, and food manufacturing
Denise Bond
Denise is a retired solicitor and has been a trustee of AF for many years . She has two grown up sons and enjoys holidaying in France.
Becci – Operations Manager
With a first-class honours degree from Salford University in Counselling Skills with Therapeutic Studies, Becci has used her theoretical knowledge of counselling approaches, and practice experience, to approach the advocacy (and managerial role) with a non-judgemental and empathic attitude.
Becci joined Advocacy Focus in 2015 as a multi-skilled advocate, working under all statutory and non-statutory advocacy strands and contributing to the initial development our self-advocacy programme. Prior to this, Becci had established a career within the third sector working as a Substance Misuse Practitioner and Employment & Wellbeing Coach, supporting young people and adults with complex needs.
In October 2016 Becci became an Advocacy Manager and lead a team of multi-skilled advocates working across numerous contracts for both children’s and adult’s advocacy. Becci has also been heavily involved in reviewing our organisation’s approaches in relation to recruitment and retention, and our enhanced flexible working policy, to ensure that service delivery is fully considered when reviewing any operational changes within the organisation.
As Operations Manager, Becci hopes that she can continue to strengthen the link between Operations and Service Delivery and champion advocacy as the golden thread that runs through everything within Advocacy Focus. As an IAQ qualified Independent Advocate, Becci is keen to ensure that advocacy is at the forefront of everything Advocacy Focus does operationally.
Becci has lived experience of mental health and is our anxiety and phobia champion and is committed to advocating for the recognition of phobias as a debilitating mental health issue. Becci has presented as a guest speaker on our main stage at Breaking Barriers, highlighting the importance of employers normalising the conversation with employees about mental health and how to promote wellbeing in the workplace. In 2020, Becci was shortlisted for Mind’s Workplace Wellbeing Line Manager Award, due to her work steering Advocacy Focus’ wellbeing strategy across the organisation.
Nerj – Services Manager
Nerj joined Advocacy Focus in October 2015, prior to this Nerj graduated with 2:1 BSc Honours in Psychology. Following on from this Nerj was Team Manager for a Care Provider providing support for Adults with dual diagnosis of Mental Health and Learning Disability in the community, including setting up new supported living schemes and managing an Outreach Service. This led Nerj to develop a passion for ensuring vulnerable adults had person centred support tailored around their needs and aspirations.
Whilst at Advocacy Focus, Nerj gained skills to work across all advocacy strands working within, Care Act, IMCA, DOLS, IMHA, Children’s Rights and Return to Care Service in various community, hospital and prison settings. Nerj was awarded Outstanding Advocate at the National Advocacy Awards in 2018. Nerj further developed her skills by taking on the role of IMCA Development Worker and in October 2019 was promoted to become Advocacy Manager. Nerj manages a varied team of adults and children’s advocates and has been instrumental in the development of our Children’s Rights and Advocacy Contracts in St Helen’s.
Nerj is passionate about advocacy and ensuring that people have access to advocacy. Nerj ensures she is person lead, non-judgemental and strives to uphold the rights of the people she works with whilst empowering them to self-advocate.
Leanne
Before joining Advocacy Focus, Leanne has worked within the legal profession specialising in Criminal and Family Law. She worked within a Local Authority specialising in Early Intervention and worked for the Head of Service as a Personal Assistant.
Leanne has been with Advocacy Focus for eight years and was runner up in the National Advocacy Awards 2016 for Outstanding Independent Advocate. Leanne has extensive knowledge of working within the Court of Protection, specialising in the Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. Leanne is IAQ qualified and has her level 5 in leadership, coaching and mentoring. Leanne currently manages the spot purchase advocacy provision that operates across the Northwest which is widely successful.
Aimee
Aimee joined Advocacy Focus in 2014 as an Independent Mental Health Advocate (IMHA) whilst working towards a B.A honours degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice. After a short time, Aimee began training to deliver advocacy under the provisions of the Mental Capacity Act, Care Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. Aimee has supported many of her clients to access the Court of Protection and is passionate about upholding the rights of vulnerable adults.
Aimee has been managing a team of advocates across Lancashire and is responsible for providing training, mentoring and guidance to ensure the successful delivery of statutory advocacy across our contract areas.
Olivia
Olivia joined Advocacy Focus in 2016 as a Care Act Administrator. Olivia has a BA Honours in Criminology and Criminal Justice and had worked in the health and social care sector prior to joining the team. Olivia did not just focus her studies on the introduction of the Care Act (2014) but broadened her knowledge in relation to advocacy under the provisions of the Mental Capacity Act, Mental Health Act, and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.
Olivia then went on to become our Referral and Triage Manager who oversees a team of Advocacy Coordinators who are instrumental in the day to day running of the organisation. She is responsible for providing the commissioners across all of our contracts with bespoke KPI information and statistical monitoring information, working alongside the team of Advocacy Managers to showcase the excellent advocacy provision we deliver.
Ellie
Ellie joined Advocacy Focus in April 2018 and prior to this gained a vast amount of experience supporting adults and children with autism, learning disabilities and mental health issues. Through this, Ellie gained a passion for person centred support and achieving the best outcomes for people and places great emphasis on empowering people to have control over their own lives. Ellie has delivered in house autism training to our team of advocates and promotes awareness within the workplace.
Ellie has a degree in psychology and is currently working towards CMI accreditation. Ellie is a multiskilled advocate and is a newly appointed advocacy manager and is supporting and developing a team of 7 independent advocates.
Demi
Demi joined Advocacy Focus in 2016 after graduating with a first class honours degree in Law. Whilst studying for her degree, Demi developed a particular interest in mental health, mental capacity and human rights legislation and a passion for supporting people to be aware of and understand their rights. Demi was part of the initial team delivering Care Act advocacy and has contributed to the development and delivery of Care Act training, whilst gaining the skills to become a multi-skilled advocate herself.
In 2021, Demi’s interest and work closely following the developing Mental Capacity Amendment Act and Liberty Protection Safeguards led to her securing a role as LPS Lead at Advocacy Focus. Demi will continue this work in her role as advocacy manager, as well as supporting and developing a team of advocates.
Megan
Megan joined Advocacy Focus in 2024 as an Advocacy Manager, bringing with her 10 years of experience in the advocacy sector. Megan has responsibility for the team of advocates working on the Salford Advocacy Service for Children and Young People.
Megan holds a degree in Psychology with Counseling and has previous experience as a Special Constable with GMP. Megan has vast experience and knowledge within the areas of Cared for Children, Missing from Home, CSE and Domestic Abuse.
Megan is passionate about the young person’s voice being heard, amplified and central in all decisions that are made about them.
Chloe
Following the completion of her degree in Positive Practice in Children and Adolescents, Chloe joined Advocacy Focus in 2015 mainly supporting people as an Independent Mental Health Advocate (IMHA) and an Independent Mental Capacity Advocate (IMCA). Shortley after, Chloe began to develop her knowledge of the Care Act which later led to becoming a multi-skilled Independent Advocate offering support with all strands of statutory advocacy provision.
During her time as an advocate, Chloe established a particular keen interest in Mental Health which later led her into a new role as an Independent Mental Health Development Worker in 2018. Chloe has contributed to raising awareness of an Independent Advocates role within Lancashire and surrounding areas by delivering presentations to professionals.
Chloe is very passionate about ensuring a person is listened to, and involved in decisions of their care and treatment and having their rights are upheld. Chloe will continue to support people and her team whilst being an Advocacy Manager.
Christine
Christine started her career working with people in 2003 as a support worker in an alcohol and drug detox clinic in Manchester. Christine went on to work in addiction support services across Greater Manchester, including inpatient, community and custodial services, until she moved to New Zealand in 2007. In New Zealand, Christine worked for Ara Poutama Aoteara Department of Corrections as both a Probation Officer and a Manager, where she embraced the Māori values of Manaaki (respect) and Whānau (family and relationships).
Returning to the UK in 2015, Christine took a career break to be a stay-at-home parent. When returning to work it was important for Christine to find a role where she could both use her skills and work for an organisation that shared her values. Christine found out about Advocacy Focus from a friend who was working as an Independent Advocate for the organisation and was drawn to advocacy. After securing a role as an Independent Advocate in 2019, Christine became a multi-strand advocate, working across a number of contracts in the organisation. Christine currently manages the Trafford Advocacy Hub, supporting a team of multi-strand advocates working with adults, children and young people.
Nicola – Volunteer Manager
Nicola joined our team in December 2018 with significant experience in managing large volunteer teams. Throughout her career, she has worked on numerous flagship projects which have generated a substantial amount of charity funds and improved health and wellbeing. She has recruited, trained and managed over 80 volunteers.
As our Volunteer Manager, Nicola oversees, mentors and trains our growing team of over 30 volunteers, including the recruitment, retention and development of a number of different volunteer roles. Outside of work, Nicola created a netball club for her daughter which now comprises of 18 junior teams.
Jody – Community Engagement Manager
Jody joined Advocacy Focus in 2023 as a community advocacy manager. A Royal Navy Veteran who served for 16 years, she has a real passion for people’s wellbeing and empowering others.
After a career in dentistry spanning 19 years Jody made the decision to train as a Holistic Therapist. She used these skills and completed further training to be able to assist and support those who have mental health issues and those who are neurodivergent. A mum of a neurodivergent child, she has a real commitment to placing mental wellbeing at the heart of everything she does.
Jody manages our team of community advocates and runs our Community Focus Hub in the centre of Burnley. The team are dedicated to supporting people in our local Lancashire communities assisting them with non-statutory advocacy for issues such as benefits, housing, employment and finances.
We are always on the lookout for volunteers to join our team. If you are interested in becoming an advocacy volunteer, check out our volunteers section and contact us for more information! Our volunteers are essential to providing the best possible support and outcomes for those who need us!
Could you be part of the Advocacy Focus team? Check out our latest vacancies page, you can apply at