THE STEERING GROUP
trustees
get to know our trustees
Debs Gogarty
ChairI became an advocate for all that the Health and Wellbeing Warminster group does after my late Mother was diagnosed with dementia and I had to run the gauntlet of care allowances, care packages and power of attorney etc.
It all seemed unnecessarily complicated, and I felt I had to try and help make even the smallest of differences for others.
I'm a career volunteer - working with local charity Open Door Warminster and Bath Cats and Dogs Home as well as the community team in my small village.
In my spare time I enjoy being with my five rescue dogs and recently returned to my love of motorbiking, riding my striking yellow Royal Enfield around various cafes in Wiltshire... you gotta have cake on a ride!
It all seemed unnecessarily complicated, and I felt I had to try and help make even the smallest of differences for others.
I'm a career volunteer - working with local charity Open Door Warminster and Bath Cats and Dogs Home as well as the community team in my small village.
In my spare time I enjoy being with my five rescue dogs and recently returned to my love of motorbiking, riding my striking yellow Royal Enfield around various cafes in Wiltshire... you gotta have cake on a ride!
David Reeves
SecretaryFollowing a mixed career of 11 years in retail and then 26 years as an accountant in the Civil Service, I chaired the Avenue Surgery Patient Group for six years and began attending the Forum. In the way of these things, I offered to take the notes and, ten years later, I remain Secretary to the Forum as well as Treasurer.
As a volunteer adviser with Citizens Advice Somerset for more than a decade, I am passionate about improving people's lives and my skills set enables me to drive for change in the health and wellbeing sphere.
Having had my own share of ill-health, I gain huge satisfaction from my work and from delivering successful projects like the booklet and the Health Fairs.
Away from this work, I am an enthusiastic “comper” (with occasional wins) and love quizzing with family and friends as well as travel.
As a volunteer adviser with Citizens Advice Somerset for more than a decade, I am passionate about improving people's lives and my skills set enables me to drive for change in the health and wellbeing sphere.
Having had my own share of ill-health, I gain huge satisfaction from my work and from delivering successful projects like the booklet and the Health Fairs.
Away from this work, I am an enthusiastic “comper” (with occasional wins) and love quizzing with family and friends as well as travel.
Marion Barton
TrusteeI was born in London, but have spent most of my life in Wiltshire, living in Warminster.
I initially trained to become be a Youth and Community Worker but diverted to becoming an Antique and Map dealer for several years, before returning to community work in various guises.
I have an ongoing love of prints and maps and own far more than I can display!
After a few years as my own boss, I went back to corporate life with Age UK in London before accepting a role with Salisbury Shopmobility. Most recently I was a Social Prescribing Link Worker at the Avenue Surgery.
Now happily retired I enjoy being with and helping people, and being part of the Health and Wellbeing Warminster team, as well as Chair of the charity Open Door Warminster allows me to do just that.
I initially trained to become be a Youth and Community Worker but diverted to becoming an Antique and Map dealer for several years, before returning to community work in various guises.
I have an ongoing love of prints and maps and own far more than I can display!
After a few years as my own boss, I went back to corporate life with Age UK in London before accepting a role with Salisbury Shopmobility. Most recently I was a Social Prescribing Link Worker at the Avenue Surgery.
Now happily retired I enjoy being with and helping people, and being part of the Health and Wellbeing Warminster team, as well as Chair of the charity Open Door Warminster allows me to do just that.
Ann Merrills
TrrusteeI have been involved in health care since moving to Wiltshire more than 30 years ago, as a result of experiencing both the best of emergency care and experiencing long term care for close family.
My local involvement initially was with setting up Alzheimer’s Support in Wiltshire and Carers Support Wiltshire and I subsequently became a non-executive Director of successive NHS Community Healthcare Trusts. I initiated the original Warminster and Villages Health and Social Care Group getting on for two decades ago, chairing it for the first ten years. I am so pleased and proud that it is still going and has become even more effective and influential under the current leadership.
The basic purpose has always been to foster networking to enable the statutory and voluntary sectors to know and understand more about each other and thereby ensure that all the help that is out here is known as widely as possible.
My core interest has always been support to carers - family and friends who undertake so much of health and social care but who are still all too often insufficiently supported in this role. Information sharing throughout the community is essential and ongoing.
My local involvement initially was with setting up Alzheimer’s Support in Wiltshire and Carers Support Wiltshire and I subsequently became a non-executive Director of successive NHS Community Healthcare Trusts. I initiated the original Warminster and Villages Health and Social Care Group getting on for two decades ago, chairing it for the first ten years. I am so pleased and proud that it is still going and has become even more effective and influential under the current leadership.
The basic purpose has always been to foster networking to enable the statutory and voluntary sectors to know and understand more about each other and thereby ensure that all the help that is out here is known as widely as possible.
My core interest has always been support to carers - family and friends who undertake so much of health and social care but who are still all too often insufficiently supported in this role. Information sharing throughout the community is essential and ongoing.
Jenny Crossley
TrusteeI moved to Wiltshire 4 years ago and work as an Energy Advisor with a Fuel Poverty Charity.
I’m also a Town Councillor for a local town. I have worked in the charity sector for the last 10 years. I also have experience working for local authorities in Housing Services.
I enjoy helping and being involved in the local community to ensure that local services are available to those that need them and meet their needs.
I’m also a Town Councillor for a local town. I have worked in the charity sector for the last 10 years. I also have experience working for local authorities in Housing Services.
I enjoy helping and being involved in the local community to ensure that local services are available to those that need them and meet their needs.
elizabeth Lee
TrusteeElizabeth a Warminster Town Councillor and Deputy Mayor. She is passionate about helping to shape the future of Warminster by supporting inclusive policies and ensuring access to opportunities and services for all residents.
As a lifelong Warminster resident, she has a deep connection to the local community and is a willing advocate for small businesses, particularly those operating outside the traditional high street. Her support for Health and Wellbeing has its roots firmly in wanting to improve and sustain local services.