Community Groups and Volunteering in Chichester

Local organisations, charities and ways to get involved

Chichester has a strong tradition of community involvement, supported by a network of voluntary organisations, charities, clubs and groups that cover everything from conservation and heritage to sports, arts and social welfare. The city's manageable size and its stable, engaged population create conditions in which community organisations can thrive, and many residents are actively involved in one or more groups.

The cathedral and the churches provide a foundation for much of the community activity in the city. The cathedral's congregation supports charitable work, volunteer programmes, concerts and social events. The parish churches across the city run coffee mornings, lunch clubs, youth groups and outreach activities. For many residents, the church community is the starting point for wider involvement in the life of the city.

The Chichester and District Rotary Club, the Lions Club and other service organisations raise funds and provide practical support for local causes. These groups bring together business people, professionals and retired residents who want to contribute to the community, and their fundraising supports a wide range of local charities and projects.

Conservation and heritage groups are active in the area. The Chichester Society works to protect and improve the city's built environment, commenting on planning applications and campaigning on issues affecting the character of the city. Friends of Priory Park, the Chichester Canal Trust and the Chichester Harbour Conservancy all rely on volunteers for practical conservation work, fundraising and educational activities.

Sports clubs provide another layer of community involvement. Cricket, football, rugby, tennis, sailing and many other sports are organised through clubs that depend on volunteers to function. Coaching, committee work, ground maintenance, event organisation and fundraising are all done by unpaid volunteers who give their time because they care about their sport and their community.

The arts are well served by community groups across the city. Amateur dramatic societies, choirs, orchestras, art groups and writing circles all meet regularly, providing outlets for creativity and sociability that enrich the cultural life of Chichester beyond the professional institutions. The standard of amateur performance in the city is often high, reflecting both the cultural expectations of the community and the inspiration provided by the Festival Theatre and the cathedral.

Volunteering opportunities are plentiful and coordinated through organisations that match willing helpers with the groups and causes that need them. Roles range from charity shop work and hospital visiting to mentoring young people, driving elderly residents to appointments, and providing administrative support to small charities. The demand for volunteers is constant, and new arrivals in the city who want to make connections and contribute to community life will find no shortage of ways to get involved.

For a city of around 30,000 people, Chichester community infrastructure is impressively deep and broad. The combination of a settled population, strong institutions, good facilities, a tradition of public service and a culture of participation creates a civic life that is active, varied and welcoming. It is one of the less visible but most important qualities that makes Chichester a good place to live.