Our Patrons and Trustees
Dame Julie Walters
Dame Julie Walters is one of Britain’s most cherished actresses, celebrated for her versatility, warmth, and unforgettable performances across film, television, and theatre. Over a distinguished career spanning more than forty years, she has earned multiple awards and become a beloved figure to audiences and colleagues alike.
Beyond her artistic achievements, Dame Julie is known for her compassion and long-standing commitment to social causes. As a dedicated Patron of My Sisters’ House, she is a much-valued supporter of our work empowering women who are facing difficult or vulnerable circumstances. Her belief in the resilience and potential of every woman reflects the core values of our charity.
Dame Julie’s advocacy brings encouragement to our team, our volunteers, and the women we serve. We are deeply grateful for her ongoing support, which helps raise awareness of the challenges many women experience and strengthens our ability to provide practical help, safety, and hope.
Leigh Johnson
Leigh Johnson is the founder of Laylaleigh Millinery, a luxury yet accessible millinery brand she launched from her Sussex home in 2010. Through training under a leading designer, she grew Laylaleigh into a nationally and internationally recognised business — with a destination showroom in Chichester, stockists across the UK and Europe, and designs featured in top publications and at prestigious events like Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood.
Leigh became a Patron of My Sisters’ House because of her personal understanding of hardship and her commitment to using her platform to help others. She uses her voice, business network, and energy to raise awareness of the charity’s trauma-informed services, strengthen its public profile, and drive long-term change for women in crisis.
Through her patronage, she hopes to help My Sisters’ House build stronger community and business connections and make its vital support services more visible.
Philippa Gogarty
Philippa Gogarty brings a wealth of experience and compassion to her role as Patron of My Sisters’ House Women’s Centre. A passionate advocate for social justice, inclusion, and community wellbeing, Philippa’s career spans business, charity, and public service.
As Co-Founder and Director of Micro Scooters Ltd, she has helped transform family travel across the UK through innovation and sustainability. Alongside her business success, Philippa has remained deeply connected to community causes - supporting refugees, mentoring women, and championing grassroots initiatives across West Sussex.
In 2024, Philippa served as High Sheriff of West Sussex, where she led the Pan-Sussex Domestic Abuse Conference, bringing together hundreds of partners to strengthen support for survivors. Her leadership was marked by empathy, collaboration, and a commitment to ensuring no one is left behind.
Our Trustees
Dianne Smith
Di is a founder Trustee having sat around our first CEO Julie Budge’s kitchen table in 2014 when the concept of My Sisters’ House was born.
Her background is in Education as a former Secondary Headteacher and Government Workforce Advisor. She became an independent consultant in 2010 training mostly Children’s Services employees across the country on how to use coaching to improve performance. Her consultancy also included recruitment of Senior Managers in Education, writing successful bids for and opening new academies and University Technical Colleges.
Throughout her career Di has been a passionate advocate for empowerment of women Her first Headship was of a failing inner city girls’ school which under her leadership was transformed into the most heavily oversubscribed school in the city making a real difference to the lives of countless under privileged girls who left the school at 16 as young women with confidence, resilience and equipped for life in an ever-changing world. She brings this same passion to her role as the current Chair of Trustees for My Sister’s House where everyday women are helped to realise their courage, determination and full potential to make changes they are proud of. ‘To Thrive not just Survive’.
Stephanie Emery
Stephanie is an experienced HR and finance specialist. Now retired, Stephanie worked for US investment bank J.P. Morgan for eighteen years, most recently as the Head of Compensation and Benefits for the Europe, Middle East and Africa region. Stephanie is a chartered accountant and chartered tax advisor and previously worked for the accountancy firm Coopers & Lybrand (now part of PwC) for over ten years.
Inspired by a desire to support an organisation which helps local women to lead their best lives, Stephanie has been a volunteer at My Sisters’ House since October 2021. She was appointed as a Trustee in February 2023. Stephanie is married and has two children and one grandson.
Allison Galbraith
Allison has many years experience firstly as a People and Customer manager in the Financial Services sector, then as a Leadership Coach and Business Efficiency Expert running her own business. She has held a number of volunteer roles including Childline, Parentline, Stonepillow and as an Appropriate Adult. Since retiring, Allison has volunteered at My Sisters House after hearing Julie Budge, the founder, talk passionately about her work.
Kim Hosier
Kim originally trained as a social worker and was employed in child protection. She joined her local rape crisis centre as a volunteer in 1990 and worked in the sector for thirty years, this included the role of Centre Director.
Kim currently works in private practice as a UKCP registered gestalt psychotherapist and accredited EMDR practitioner providing individual and couples therapy. Kim is also a qualified clinical supervisor and works with individuals, groups and organisations including charities and community interest companies. She specialises in the sexual and domestic abuse sector and has provided training to organisations working in the field.
Jo McSweeney
Jo is an experienced safety and risk management specialist with over 30 years’ experience leading and influencing safety and security across a wide range of industries from airports to the public sector. A Chartered Member of the Institution of Occupational Health and Safety, Jo has wide experience of protecting people and building resilience in individuals and organisations.
In Jo’s words, “I believe all women should have the opportunity and skills to flourish and succeed. The role My Sisters’ House plays with both reactive and proactive work to support women is invaluable in our complex world and I am honoured to be appointed as a trustee and to work with colleagues to deliver our vision.”
Louise Rigglesford
Louise (she/they) is Head of Community Outreach at Chichester Festival Theatre, leading the Adult Community strand of the LEAP department. She has developed impactful initiatives including the CFT Buddies Scheme, FestivALL – a festival for adults with additional needs – and the Three Trees Company for adults in recovery from mental illness. She believes that theatre can and should be for everyone, regardless of background or experience, and that the skills that theatre teaches can have a far-reaching benefit beyond the rehearsal room.
Louise is excited to contribute her experience in inclusive arts and community engagement to support the charity’s mission. She is particularly passionate about amplifying the voices of women who have experienced domestic abuse and disadvantage and is committed to helping shape a future where all women feel safe, heard, and empowered.
Anya Roberts-Blake
Anya is a dedicated Operations Director with a background in HR, finance, and event management. She has built a career around creating supportive, high-performing teams and has led successful charity partnerships, where she developed engaging fundraising initiatives and inspired others to get involved. Anya was drawn to My Sisters’ House because of its powerful mission to support women and transform lives.
As a trustee, she is passionate about helping the charity grow its impact, strengthen its partnerships, and continue to provide vital, inclusive support to women in the local community.
Joy Garbett
Joy brings over 40 years of continuous experience in Children’s Social Care, having worked from Social Worker to Service Manager across a wide range of settings. Her expertise spans Child Protection, court work, adoption and fostering, support for Looked After Children, paediatric and community teams, and the redesign of services for Disabled Children. She also led the development of a Family Support Service for 0–18’s and helped implement the Children in Need service in Islington.
Nationally, she contributed to the Think Family Project, the Family Drug and Alcohol Court pilot, and consulted for the Ministry of Justice on the Public Law Outline. A strong advocate for women’s rights and the voice of the child, she brings deep legislative knowledge, strategic leadership, and service-development experience- skills that will greatly strengthen My Sisters’ House as it expands its support for growing numbers of vulnerable women.