Our team of salaried staff and volunteers are often drawn from those that have been through our programmes and activities.

Staff

Steven Doggett (Chief Executive Officer)

Steve is a qualified Probation Officer and Social Worker with more than 20 years' experience across the criminal justice system, mental health and digital innovation. He leads our strategy, partnerships and funding. He's driven by a simple belief: every veteran deserves a life full of purpose, connection and growth, and nobody should be left behind.

Steve has spent his career working alongside people at turning points in their lives. He qualified as a Probation Officer in 2006 and managed a wide caseload in the community and through resettlement, including coordinating Drug Rehabilitation Requirement sentences across Northumberland. He helped people move away from offending and build something better.

His commitment to veterans began early. While leading the project office for the Northumbria Local Criminal Justice Board, Steve produced a report on the needs of veterans entering the criminal justice system. That work shaped his understanding of how easily people who have served can slip through the gaps, and of how much they can achieve with the right support.

In 2017 Steve fulfilled a lifelong ambition and qualified as a Social Worker through the Think Ahead programme, working in a Psychosis Team in County Durham. He then became Senior Probation Officer in the national Quality and Effective Practice Team at HMPPS, leading national projects on staff engagement, service user involvement and communications.

Steve also has an unusual background in digital innovation. As a Senior Business Analyst and later a Probation Systems Consultant, he helped design case management software used across the Probation Service, and worked with the Ministry of Justice on a new mobile service for probation. He brings that same practical, delivery focused approach to Forward Assist.

As CEO, Steve leads our strategy, major donor relationships, corporate partnerships and grant funding. He is a Mental Health First Aider, a member of the Probation Institute and a long standing advocate for social justice, diversity and recovery. He has received Probation Service awards for his work on equality and diversity and on desistance.

"Veterans give so much. Our job is to make sure that when they need a hand, it's there, and that it helps them move forward."

Sarah Bushbye MC

Sarah is former Army medic from North Tyneside who received the Military Cross, for her extraordinary courage after she helped wounded colleagues in Afghanistan whilst under fire. She is only the third British Army woman to be awarded the honour and a genuine UK war hero. Forward Assist are very proud to have her front and centre as our Therapeutic Lead at the charity.

Sarah received the commendation for her ‘extraordinary’ professionalism and bravery following an attack by suicide bombers in December 2009, when she gave medical care to injured British and Afghan comrades. L/Cpl Bushbye's citation told how she ignored the risk of sharpshooters and Improvised Explosive Devices to cross 500m of open valley to reach injured colleagues. The Military Cross Citation concluded: "Her professionalism, selfless courage and conspicuous gallantry in the face of the enemy while under fire were extraordinary, given her rank and experience."

Sarah was the first UK women combat veteran to benefit from Forward Assists unique relationship with the Boulder Crest Foundation in America. Forward Assist organised, facilitated and funded her trip to the USA so she could take part in the Boulder Crest Foundation Warrior PATHH residential course in Virginia. Sarah describes it as a life changing experience that should be available to everyone in the UK. She is delighted to join team Forward Assist and utilise her unique experiences to help others.

Dr Rose Jones

Rose is a veteran herself. She served in the Women's Royal Army Corps (WRAC), before going on to spend nearly 20 years as a Clinical Psychologist across NHS forensic, acute and community services in the North East, and in the private sector. She now leads our RISE programme and gives clinical supervision to our team, so every veteran we support gets expert, compassionate care.

Rose's journey started in uniform. In 1984 she joined the Women's Royal Army Corps and trained as a chef. She served for almost three years and left with an Exemplary conduct record. She knows first hand what it means to leave the Forces and build a new life outside them, and that understanding runs through everything she brings to Forward Assist.

After leaving the Army, Rose worked in catering and then in care, first as a care assistant and later as an auxiliary nurse with Marie Curie Cancer Care. That work led her to a career in psychology. She earned a BSc in Psychology, an MSc in Health Sciences Research Methods and, in 2006, a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Newcastle University. Rose is also the wife and mother of veterans. Her husband served in the Worcester and Sherwood Foresters, her daughter served in the Intelligence Corps, and her son served in the Light Dragoons. Both of her children completed tours in Afghanistan.

Rose worked as a Clinical and Senior Clinical Psychologist in the NHS for fourteen years, mostly at St Nicholas Hospital in Gosforth and in acute inpatient services in Sunderland. Her work covered forensic and secure settings, community probation partnerships and psychiatric intensive care. While in Sunderland she co facilitated Military Mental Health Awareness training for NHS staff and partner organisations. She later led a clinical team at Home Group, helping create psychologically informed environments in homelessness services. Her most recent role was as an Expert Witness for the Family Court, where she completed over 200 assessments and reports over nearly five years.

Rose is trained in Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, and she has a particular interest in trauma, attachment and helping people rebuild and adjust after difficult experiences. She has spent many years supervising psychologists and training frontline teams, and she cares a great deal about supporting the people who support others.

At Forward Assist, Rose leads the RISE programme and gives clinical supervision and reflective practice to our staff and volunteers. Her experience of the criminal justice system, trauma informed care and military life makes her a natural fit for the veterans we walk alongside.

"I know what it is to hand back the uniform and work out who you are next. Every veteran deserves the chance to find their purpose again."