Meet the Team
Cassie Forbes
CEO
Cassie took the reins as CEO in April 2021 and has grown the organisation from strength to strength. Cassie served as a Police Officer for 30 years within various Scottish Police Forces and was a trustee on the Roar Board for 5 years prior to joining it as an employee. Cassie won the Scottish Women of the Year Award 2022 for Community Work of the Year and has a particular passion for Community work where she blossomed during her career in the Police.
Rachel Gilger
Business and Operations Manager
Cassie’s number two, Rachel joined Roar in August 2023 as a Health & Wellbeing project worker, and has progressed within Roar since joining. Having studied Business and Psychology at Aberdeen University, Rachel is passionate about connecting isolated older adults. She currently oversees the day-to-day operational running of the organisation, and champions our work throughout the community.
Clare Robertson
Prevention Services Coordinator
Clare oversees Roars Frailty and Falls Prevention Programmes, which include: ‘Stronger Together,’ ‘Roar Do Feet’ and ‘Otago Strength & Balance Exercise’. Clare has a wealth of knowledge and experience in falls prevention and sits on advisory groups within the Renfrewshire area as well as nationally. Clare has built strong relationships with local healthcare experts and professionals and regularly offers ‘Get Off The Floor’ training to local community groups and organisations.
Alex Druce
Volunteer & Digital Project Worker
Alex is the newest member of our team, bringing with her a strong background in school education and a real passion for supporting others. She first joined us as our Digital Project Worker, where she quickly made a positive impact.
Since then, Alex has stepped into an exciting dual role, now also leading our Volunteers. She plays a key part in recruiting, supporting, and inspiring our volunteers, creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone involved.
Alex is dedicated to making sure every voice is heard and valued. Her energy, commitment, and care for others shine through in everything she does.
Debbie Connor
Admin & Finance Officer
Debbie brings a wealth of knowledge having worked within the third sector in Renfrewshire for over 15 years. Debbie’s enthusiasm to improve Roar’s office functions and develop the organisation digitally have supported the organisation through a period of change, and her passion for great customer service shines through as the front-line contact for service users and partners alike.
Tracy Brown
Senior Health & Wellbeing Club Project Worker
Tracy currently co-ordinates all our clubs and also oversees our Paisley West End, Erskine and Lochwinnoch clubs on a weekly basis and her energy at the clubs is infectious! Tracy has had a long successful career in social care and also runs her own fitness business. She is incredibly passionate about connecting isolated older adults and is really enjoying getting to know service users, whilst having great fun at the clubs.
Angela Ferguson
Footcare Facilitator
Angela is passionate about supporting older adults in falls prevention. She manages the day-to-day running of our ever growing ‘Roar Do Feet’ personal footcare service alongside working as a Primary Teacher one day a week. Angela is an experience and much valued member of the footcare team.
Claire Igoe
Prevention Services Project Worker
With a focus on Frailty and Falls Prevention, Claire is involved in our new ‘Stronger Together’ programme. Claire is an experienced Otago Strength & Balance instructor. Claire’s natural ability to really motivate, encourage and listen to individuals has resulted in many older adults re-gaining the confidence to get back out in the community.
Rebecca Stephen
Referrals & Befriending Project Worker
Rebecca joined our team following a successful career as a social worker for older adults. Rebecca holds a social work degree and her vast amount of experience in working with older adults in the local community means she is best placed to advise on suitability to join our services, or to signpost on to other local partners. Rebecca now oversees all incoming referrals and service requests to Roar and also runs our befriending service, helping our most vulnerable service users.
Kate Connor
Health & Wellbeing Club Project Worker
Kate has been with Roar for 10 years and has a vast amount of experience in the successful running of our network of Health & Wellbeing Clubs. Kate currently oversees our Linwood, Johnstone and Ralston clubs on a weekly basis and is a trusted confidant for many service users. With a background in Social Research, Kate advocates for, and fully understands the need of older adults within the wider community.
Allan McFeeley
Senior Health & Wellbeing Project Worker
Allan is one of our newest members to the Roar team. He comes to us with a fantastic varied career background- 10 years ship repairing for MOD which took him anywhere in the world, Factory trainer with Compaq at Erskine for Eight years and twenty years as a support worker in social care both with kids and adults. Allan found social care was the most enjoyable and gave him the most life skills/experience, which has enabled him to be a fantastic project worker with us here at Roar. No job is too big for Allan to take on and he has quickly become a valued memeber of our team. Allan is very invested in ensuring he can help people to live life to their full potential. When Allan is not at work he likes to relax with quiet time up on the moors/hills with his dog and have family time with his kids and grandkids.
Meet The Board
Mary Hackett - Chair
Dr Alexandra Mavoreidi
Nicola Burleigh
Mary retired from the police force in 2008 in the rank of Chief Superintendent and currently supports a number of charities.
Alexandra is a Reader and Head of Department of Allied Health Professions. She works in the field of exercise / sedentary behaviour, nutrition and bone health.
Nicola works in the field of procurement and commercial management and her work has focused on commissioning social care services for local government and development and aid for central government.
Gerry McDonnell
Angela Crockert
Following a successful career in education spanning 45 years, Gerry is now also Chair of Paisley East Community Sports Hub and coaches with Paisley Amateur Football Club
Angela has 15+ years’ experience working within the HR field and is currently HR business partner for a Scotch Whisky Business.
Colin H.McNaught
Jeanettie Matthews -Treasurer
Recently retired, Paisley based Solicitor. Married to Joyce with three grown up children. Historically interacted with many older adults as clients and for many years as Secretary to the Paisley Abbeyfield Society. Colin recognises the importance of the numerous and various activities of Roar.
Jeanettie has worked for Kibble Education and Care Centre since 1998 and is the current Treasurer of the Roar Board (FAAC qualified since 2012).
Jo Booth
Jo is a recently retired Professor of Nursing who specialised in caring for older people, research with older people and teaching others to care for older people.
