Sarah Allen Chief Executive Officer Expand I am a values-driven leader with more than 20 years’ experience across health, social care, and mental health. I began my career in advocacy as a volunteer advocate, later working as an Independent Mental Health Advocate (IMHA) and managing advocacy services. That experience shaped my commitment to amplifying the voices of people who are often unheard and ensuring services are designed around their needs. Over the years, I’ve led large-scale operations, business development, fundraising, and system-wide transformation within the not-for-profit sector. My focus has always been on delivering high-quality, inclusive services while driving sustainable growth and innovation. I believe in co-production, building strong partnerships, and creating organisations that make a lasting impact for the individuals they exist to empower. I’m passionate about the work we do here at POhWER and feel privileged to be working alongside colleagues and partners to strengthen advocacy and ensure that every voice is heard.
Elyzabeth Hawkes Deputy Chief Executive Expand I am the Deputy Chief Executive and I am passionately committed to POhWER’S mission to empower people to have a voice and make a real difference to their lives. POhWER was established in 1996 by a group of inspirational individuals who wanted to be able to choose how to live their own lives and make their own choices. It is this passion and strength that our founder members showed that runs through POhWER today and motivates me to continue to grow and strengthen POhWER’s services to reach out to more people who are in need of support. It is essential to empower people and protect their fundamental human rights and ensure that we reach the most excluded members of society, so they are listened to when decisions are being made about them or the services that they need. I have a BA Hons level in Health, Psychology, Health Politics and Social Care Policy alongside 23 years’ experience in acute and complex multi-site and national services management across the health, social care and the charitable sector. Initially achieving registration as a State Registered Nurse (SRN), I worked in the NHS and progressed to becoming a Ward Sister before moving into a senior management role within a surgical directorate focusing on the quality of clinical care to patients I have worked with POhWER for 13 years joining as an Operational Manager/ Director before becoming the Deputy Chief Executive in 2020. I am responsible for the effective delivery of POhWER’s front line services nationally to empower our beneficiaries’ people to have a voice and make a real difference in their lives, leading on the development and delivery of empowerment and advocacy services to enable all who need it to have a voice and be heard.
Fiona McArthur-Worbey Director of Business Development Expand I joined POhWER in 2007 as a Community Advocate, after spending years working in the care sector with men living with mental health issues, learning disabilities and dual diagnoses. Since then, I have taken on roles such as Independent Mental Health Advocate (IMHA), Project Manager at HertsHelp and Head of New Business. Now, I proudly hold the position of Director of Business Development. Over the course of this time, I have had the privilege of watching POhWER grow – providing crucial services for more beneficiaries than ever before, tackling human rights issues that should be at the forefront of all conversations, and stepping up during times of crisis, like the coronavirus pandemic. As part of my role as Director of Business Development, I lead a team of twelve professionals in service design and development and overseeing all activity involving public relations, social media, external communications, engagement, media and income generation. I love what I do – boosting awareness of the advice, information and advocacy services POhWER provides and ensuring that we are always here for anyone who needs our help. If I’m not in the office, you can usually find me at home relaxing with family, getting prepared to strike up the barbecue and fire pit.
Laura Barnes Director of Finance and Resources Expand I joined POhWER in January 2024 as Financial Accountant and now serve as Director of Finance and Resources. It’s a privilege to work for a charity whose values I genuinely believe in, and to play a part in supporting work that aims to create a fairer and more just society. I’ve been a Chartered Accountant since September 2011, originally training and working in external audit. While my background is technical, what has always mattered most to me is how those skills are used. Moving into the charity and advocacy sector has allowed me to apply my experience in a way that feels meaningful and aligned with my values. In my role, I see finance not just as numbers, but as a tool that enables people to do their best work. I’m passionate about managing our resources responsibly and transparently, so the organisation can focus on making the greatest possible impact. I enjoy working closely with colleagues across the charity, building trust, offering clear and supportive financial guidance, and helping to ensure we can continue our work for the long term.