Our Trustees

The Trustees

Open Door was set up in 2020 by six people keen to make a positive impact on the loneliness and social isolation felt by residents of the Warminster community.

In 2024 it became a charitable incorporated organisation with eight Trustees steering the charity. The charity’s work is delivered by a band of 30 volunteers and funded solely through grants and donations.

The aim remains the same as it was in 2020 – to provide help and support to anyone feeling isolated or lonely by providing meaningful connections through chat.

The charity now runs four cafes – each with a different audience – but all with the same purpose. We want everyone to leave us with a lighter heart, feeling happier, knowing that they have been heard and that people care.

Marion Barton

Marion, as one of the founding members of the charity, remains a Trustee having stood down as Chair. She continues to represent the charity by attending networking meetings to further inform others of the support available from Open Door Warminster Cafes.
 
Initially trained as a Youth and Community Worker, she has used her experience working within the community as Manager of Salisbury Shopmobility and as a Social Prescribing Link Worker to support the charity in its continuing provision to people in Warminster and the surrounding villages.
 
Now retired, she spends time apart from her volunteering in the Cancer Support Cafes, walking in Wiltshire and enjoying her membership of RHS visiting local gardens.

Sue Chinnock

Sue’s lived in Warminster for 52 years, raising her family which now comprises three children and six grandchildren. She loves reading crime novels, gardening, doing jigsaws and quizzing.
 
Sue retired in 2020 after 30 years as a secondary school Teaching Assistant supporting students with special needs. She’s always enjoyed being around people, of all ages, and volunteering at Chat Café has been enjoyable and rewarding.
 
Sue decided to become a trustee for the charity when she saw how important the groups are to people who are lonely, or isolated or worried about health issues.
 
“I feel that any small part I can contribute to support the charity’s work in the community is worthwhile.”

David White

Dave trained as an Occupational Therapist, graduating from the University of The West of England in 2011 and took up his first post at the RUH in Bath a short time after. For the last nine years he has specialised in Oncology and Palliative care – first working on the William Budd inpatient ward, and then from 2021 onwards with the Cancer support team – now based in the new Dyson Cancer Centre.
 
Dave became involved with Open Door Warminster in 2023 by visiting the Cancer Chat Café – offering information about support services available at the RUH and signposting to other organisations in the community.
 
Originally hailing from Newport, South Wales, Dave has lived in the west country for the past 22 years. He currently lives in Westbury with his wife and three children.

Mike Read

Mike spent his career in IT, beginning with CAD/CAM software for British Aerospace before embarking on a 25-year contract with the Ministry of Defence, delivering complex software systems for the Royal Navy worldwide.
 
After a two-year stint at CGI UK, Mike took early retirement and became Open Door’s Treasurer in mid-2025, keen to bring his project management and financial expertise to the voluntary sector.
 
Having seen firsthand the impact of social isolation, Mike recognizes just how crucial the Chat Café is for the local community. For anyone experiencing loneliness or worry, he knows that a comfortable space and a listening ear can truly be a great healer.

Mark Wilson

Mark initially trained as a Biomedical Scientist within the NHS Pathology system, qualifying as a Fellow in histology/cytology and subsequently attaining Chartered Scientist status. After leaving the NHS, he has held various senior positions in sales and marketing within the diagnostic manufacturing industry.
 
His career has taken him internationally, including a period of living and working in Germany. Since 2019, he has resided in Warminster and became involved with Open Door Warminster, initially as a volunteer specialising in cancer support groups, and later serving as a trustee from 2025.

Jill Meakins

Jill was born in South London and had a long career working as a Secretary/PA for Senior Management.  In Londonfor the Daily Express and in Wiltshire at Farnfields Solicitors and then 29 years at Warminster School.   Jill was also a mentor for many years for staff throughout her working life.  Jill has been a Trustee for Open Door since March 2026  and was drawn to the charity due to the concept of the Chat Cafes being available to all who are in need of a safe space and a listening ear. 

Following a move to Warminster in 1988, Jill raised her family here in Warminster and having now retired she enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, walking and cooking.

Pauline Whalley

Born in London and lived abroad for a few years in Paris before moving to the West Country. Children are now grown and she has three wonderful grandchildren.
 
Pauline enjoys travelling especially to Australia to visit her son, daughter in law and two grandchildren. She remains busy with family and her grandchild in the UK and would not have it any other way.
 
She spent most of her career teaching in primary, middle, secondary schools and prisons.
 
Pauline enjoys craft, sewing, woodwork, jigsaws, reading, gardening and music, and is now learning BSL to enable her to communicate with the deaf society.
 
She absolutely enjoys Volunteering and helping to make a difference to peoples’ lives is such a privilege and so rewarding.

John Alpin

John was born in Southampton and lived in Hythe on the edge of the New Forest, before making Warminster his home in 1972. Following a 40-year career in the defence industry at Boscombe Down, John retired as a Principal Scientist, from his dream job evaluating communication and navigation systems for aircraft and helicopters.

 
John is fascinated by all forms of transport; aircraft, boats, and cars, always driven by a curiosity to understand how things work.  He maintains a “love-hate” relationship with IT, but loves exploring new ideas but his true passion is music, playing and listening to all genres. He plays acoustic, electric, and bass guitar—though he claims to still have his “L” plates on after 40 years!  John has been bitten by the ocean cruising bug and has already visited Northern Europe, the Baltics, the Atlantic Islands, and the Western Mediterranean from his list. 
 
John enjoys working in the local community.  He is an active member and former Trustee of the United Church in Warminster. He has also enjoyed 15 years in school governance, previously serving as Chair of Governors at St John’s Primary School, and currently continuing his work at Southwick Primary School. John has two grown-up daughters and five grandchildren who are breaking out into the world and John enjoys keeping up with their exploits. Today, you can catch him on air presenting two weekly shows on Warminster Community Radio, broadcasting across West Wiltshire and the five towns via DAB.  John’s latest community venture is being a Trustee for Open Door, which he considers to be one of the best community activities he has had the privilege to be involved with.

Would you like to join us in helping others?

If you are interested in volunteering or would like more info then please email us by clicking click the mail icon to the right.