Open Doors Youth ServiceOpen Doors Youth ServiceChief Executive Officer
As soon as I heard about Open Doors, I knew I had to be involved. I began volunteering with the organisation years ago while I was employed elsewhere. From the very first moment I entered the space – I was in love! As soon as an employment opportunity became available I applied and was fortunate enough to be successful. During my time at Open Doors I have held numerous roles: Youth and Family Support Worker, Team Leader, General Manager and most recently Chief Executive Officer.
Prior to working with Open Doors, I have worked in banking, HR (Training). What I have loved most in any previous position is the ability to be able to connect with people and I believe that this is the key component of the work we do at Open Doors. The benefit we get from meaningful connection with our peers and community is phenomenal and critical to the health and well-being of our young people. I consider myself very lucky to have young people share their stories with me. It really is a privilege and something I do not take lightly. Our young people are our future leaders and deserve to be loved, nurtured and encouraged to live their best lives.
Currently I sit on numerous groups and advisory committees, all working towards improving outcomes and supports for our young people and community broadly.
I identify as a cis-gendered gay man and my pronouns are he/him.
Contact Chris at cpickard@opendoors.net.au
Service Delivery Manager
Sally (she/her) has worked in mental health and suicide prevention over the last 20 years with an undergraduate Bachelor’s degree in human services. Her work has had a primary focus on improving the mental health of LGBTIQ people and communities by identifying, challenging, and addressing practices of structural stigma that has a detrimental impacts on health and wellbeing.
Sally’s work within the community sector has included case management, group facilitation, project management, writing policy and procedures, service coordination, community capacity building, sector development, development and delivery of professional development training, and network building and facilitation.
Sally has a particular interest in the role of social inclusion and belonging in mental health and completed a Masters of Development Practice (Community Development) through the University of Queensland in 2018. As an advocate for building the capacity of peers at a community level to play an active role in suicide prevention, Sally is a trainer in Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST).
Beyond her employment Sally has consistently engaged in volunteer activities including being the co-founder of a volunteer run community group, Wendybird, which brings together a passionate and skilled group of LGBTIQ people that build and facilitate community spaces that foster belonging for those who are often excluded. Sally has published a number of articles in the areas of LGBTIQ people, suicide prevention, and disaster recovery, and regularly presents at conferences on LGBTIQ mental health, suicide prevention and inclusive practice.
Contact Sally at sally.morris@opendoors.net.au
Mental Health Practitioner
Morgan (she/her) is a mental health practitioner and counsellor who is passionate about supporting children and young people to have a voice within the counselling and mental health space. Over the last 8 years, she has supported the mental, emotional, and physical health of children, young people, and their families in a variety of community focused organisations.
Morgan has a bachelor’s degree in psychology, a graduate diploma in counselling and therapeutic services and is currently studying a master’s in social work. Her work has often focused on improving the mental and emotional wellbeing of children and young people; by bringing trauma-informed practice to the forefront of service delivery. She has helped to identify gaps within the sector around the prevalence and presentation of developmental trauma, and has supported children, young people, and adults to manage the impacts of trauma and violence to facilitate the changes they want to make in their lives.
Morgan completed one of her student placements with Open Doors Youth Service in 2014 and stayed connected to the service, supporting the community and young people in a variety of ways. She genuinely enjoys connecting with children and young people, hearing their stories and helping them to find alternate explanations as to why they may feel the way that they do. She does not view herself as any kind of expert, more so as having a series of strengths and learned skills that can hopefully help a young person to explore their experiences and make sense of how they might like to be.
When she is not at Open Doors, you could find her at New Farm park with her Partner and Cavoodle named Pacino. Reading and soaking up some sun.
Morgan is currently on maternity leave, please direct all enquiries to opendoors@opendoors.net.au
Alcohol & Other Drug Support Worker
Evie (she/her) is a transgender pansexual who is a social worker by education and has 17 years experience working with LGBTIQAP+ Sistergirl and Brotherboy young people and communities. Evie has a history of working in AOD, mental health, sexual health, group work and training. Evie is passionate about visibility and empowerment of all parts of the community.
Evie is our Alcohol and Other Drugs Support Worker who will have focus on supporting young people with their health and wellbeing, building resilience and belonging.
In her own time, Evie’s biggest loves include skateboarding, film making, Pokemon, Zelda and fan fiction.
Contact Evie at evie@opendoors.net.au
Intake Officer
Sneha (she/they) is a cis queer woman from Chennai, India and has a Master of Counselling degree from the University of Queensland. She enjoys working with children/young people and recognises the importance of community, particularly for LGBTIQ+ people.
She enjoys hip hop/rap music, watching basketball (particularly Miami Heat), true crime podcasts and is currently learning to skateboard in her spare time.
Contact Sneha at sneha.narayan@opendoors.net.au
Family and Youth Support Worker – Jellybeans Program
Alfie (He/him) grew up in Central Queensland surrounded by cattle and cane. He has a life-long affinity with the bush, but was never much of a cowboy. Alfie’s practice is informed by challenging the classifications of gender and sexuality and has advocated in political spaces with queer communities for over a decade. Alfie believes in the growth of people’s perceptions and experiences of our community and how this can build stronger support systems for our young people. Alfie’s background consists of working within the health, housing, domestic and family violence and training and employment spaces. He firmly believes in the accountability of systems that discriminate against marginalised groups and the importance of connecting young people with community.
Contact Alfie at alfie.barclay@opendoors.net.au
Alcohol and Other Drug Youth Support Worker
James (He/Him-They/Them) identifies as a gay cis-male. James has spent the last 7.5 years working to support vulnerable people within Aged and disability space. James’ other work history includes; management, youth mental health and supported crisis accommodation services. With a focus on complex behavioral management and advocacy, James has a passion for exploring and supporting queer mental health and helping young people to find their voice.
James has undertaken study in health, business and community services and is planning to return to complete a degree in nursing before pursuing further studies specializing in mental health.
James’ primary role is an AOD Case Manager, but he also co-facilitates the Young and Proud social group as well as provides 1-on-1 case management to support our young people who are transitioning from accessing youth services to adult services and living independently.
When not at work you can find James binging trash tv, listening to true crime podcasts and cross stitching by the pool or building lego to add to his collection.
Contact James at james.bloomfield@opendoors.net.au
Family and Youth Support Worker – Reconnect Program
Adam is a cis, gay man who has over 20 years’ experience working in social and community services. He holds a Degree in Counselling and Masters of Social Work. Through out his career Adam has worked in the areas of criminal justice, housing and homelessness and mental health. He has worked as a case manager, team leader, service manager and regional manager across various not-for-profit organisations and government departments.
Adam is passionate about assisting marginalised people to find their voice and is a strong advocate against social injustices. Adam has dedicated his career to breaking down societal inequalities and empowering vulnerable people. Adam’s practice framework is influenced by Queer theory, Anti-Oppressive Practice and Systems Theory.
In addition to his work at Open Doors, Adam runs a counselling private practice where he supports young people who have experienced trauma or identify as a member of the LGBTIQ+ community. When not working Adam likes reading, playing tennis and is currently attempting to learn the violin.
Contact Adam at adam.weatherill@opendoors.net.au
Finance Officer
Paula (she/her) has worked for several years as the finance/admin officer for Open Doors and being a part of the team that has brought about amazing change within the organisation over the past couple of years has found the role to be both stimulating and challenging.
She has worked in the not for profit sector, in such areas as sexual assault, homelessness, domestic violence, disability and currently with the LGBTIQ community. Paula has served on several boards, she was the President of Sunshine Welfare and Remedial Association for two years, was Treasurer on the board for Queensland Youth Housing Coalition and is currently the Treasurer for Children by Choice. Originally from the UK, she has lived and worked in several other countries and has been involved in various community groups: Malaysia, Middle East, and Europe.
She is a passionate advocate for women’s rights, especially for older women who are often marginalised through gender, age or race. Paula holds a Bachelor of Arts degree, a Diploma in Accounting and a Diploma in TESOL.
Admin & Finance Support Officer
Bella (she/her) is an experienced admin assistant who enjoys working behind-the-scenes at Open Doors. She also holds a Bachelor of Psychological Science and is currently studying towards a career in Clinical Psychology.
In her free time, Bella enjoys baking sourdough and playing guitar.
Contact Bella at bella@opendoors.net.au
