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

Born in London, Marion has spent most of her years in Wiltshire, living in Warminster.

Initially training to become be a Youth and Community Worker, Marion diverted to becoming an Antique and Map dealer for several years, before returning to community work in various guises.  Her love of prints and maps remains, and she owns far more than she can display!

Being self-employed has its downside financially, so Marion went back to work in London with Age UK before accepting a role with Salisbury Shopmobility.  Since then, Marion has been a Social Prescribing Link Worker. Marion enjoys being with and helping people, which her current role as Chair of the Charity and volunteer at the Cafés allows her to do.

Marion is now enjoying some free time in her new home and exploring parts of Wiltshire and the wider world, mainly on foot. 

Debs Gogarty

Deborah lives in Upton Lovell with her husband, five dogs and Betty the cat. Her career as a Communications Manager ended when she stepped away to support her late mother through dementia.

The experience provoked an interest in all aspects of health care and her relationship with Open Door Warminster began in 2020 as one of the six founder members. She is now Secretary for the Charity.

As well as her Open Door Work, Deborah volunteers for Warminster Health and Wellbeing Forum and Bath Cats and Dogs Home.

Marian Curtis

Marian grew up in Brighton. She studied for a degree in Social Administration at Nottingham University and completed her postgraduate Social Work qualification at the London School of Economics. 

She has worked as a Medical and Adult Health Social worker for the London Borough of Lewisham, Wiltshire Council and for Bath and Northeast Somerset Council. 

Marian has enjoyed living in exotic locations over the years, including Kenya, Nepal, Mozambique and India. In her late forties she switched careers and was Ordained as a Minister in the Church of England. She moved to Wiltshire nine years ago when she and Ian her husband retired. 

Marian enjoys walking, tennis, reading, good coffee with friends, and her favourite food is Dahl Baht.

Sue Chinnock

Sue’s lived in Warminster for 52 years, raising her 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.”

Simon James

Simon is a retired Wiltshire Police Officer with many years of management experience, and a Trustee of several charities including Open Door and the Athenaeum. He has received a Wiltshire High Sheriff’s award for his voluntary work. He is the lead volunteer for the Bereavement Chat Cafe and Prostate Support Chat Cafe. Simon also reaches out to people around the country through his work for the Royal Voluntary Service.

Michael Tansey

Michael and his wife, both now retired, live in Heytesbury. Their children, now grown-up, live in Bristol and London. They enjoy trips to the theatre and concerts, walking in the local countryside and maintaining a small allotment. They both volunteer individually for different local charities. 
 
Michael worked for many years in education, finishing his career working with young people who found formal education challenging. In his volunteering, he became one of the founding members of the initiative that became Open Door and he now supports the charity wherever and whenever he can, acting as a Trustee and lead volunteer for the Thursday Friendship Café.

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.