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.
Mairi Milne
Club & Volunteer Coordinator
Mairi oversees volunteer recruitment, training and support. Mairi also heads up the running of our Health and Wellbeing Clubs. Mairi brings with her 30 years of experience in Policing, with an abundance of experience in problem solving. Through her previous experience she built up extensive communication skills which compliment her new role of dealing with some of our more vulnerable service users.
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
Prevention Services 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 is really looking forward to using her skills to deliver meaningful services to people and make a positive difference to the lives of older adults.
Kate Connor
Health & Wellbeing Club Project Worker
Kate has been with Roar for 9 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
Befriending 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
Pamela McGhee
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
Pamela is a Physiotherapist with a specialism in musculoskeletal (MSK) physiotherapy, she has worked in the local R.E.S Team and is also a Pilates instructor.
Angela has 15+ years’ experience working within the HR field and is currently HR business partner for a Scotch Whisky Business.
Colin H.McNaught
Sharon Brady
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.
Sharon has gained 40 years employment within the public sector, taking early retirement in 2024. With a Masters in Business Administration, Sharon’s management background centered around personnel, financial and administrative roles. On a personal level Sharon has an elderly parent within the Care system and sees first-hand how communication and direct contact can enhance the lives of the elderly. Sharon is keen to support the work 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.
