We're so grateful for all of the wonderful volunteers we have here at CFT. Our largest group are our heritage volunteers, who meet weekly to assist with the upkeep of our ever-increasing archive, including production photographs, videos, press cuttings, posters and programmes. 

Volunteer Mary Tennant has recently been featured on Chichester MP Jess Brown-Fuller's International Women Day celebrations for her work at CFT; what an achievement!

We asked heritage volunteer Alison about her role:

What drew you to volunteer with CFT? 

I have been passionate about Chichester Festival Theatre for many years. My first ever visit was as a student in 1980; college had finished and my friends and I bought tickets for all of the summer Season plays (50p a ticket in those days). I remember feeling then that CFT was something very special, and I completely fell in love with it. From that moment on, I booked for every summer Season and became a Friend of CFT. I have enjoyed so many outstanding and inspiring productions, and seen (and met) so many giants of the theatre world performing there. Some of my happiest times have been at CFT! 

CFT has such a special place in my heart and has given me so many treasured memories over the years so I always knew I wanted to give something back. When I went part-time at work I looked into the possibilities of volunteering and read about the Heritage group. I immediately contacted them and was lucky enough to be offered a place in the group. For someone like me who is fascinated by CFT history, this was the perfect opportunity to get involved and to learn more about it first hand, as well as to offer my time, enthusiasm and commitment to contribute in any way possible, whilst saying a thank you from me to CFT. The feeling I get from knowing that as a volunteer I am a part of this incredible theatre, is a mixture of joy, pride, excitement and fulfilment!

What have you enjoyed most so far?

The Heritage group has given me so many wonderful opportunities. In addition to working on the archives every week, other activities have included meeting CFT staff and learning about their roles, visiting the props and costumes store, a tour around the West Sussex Records Office, special backstage tours to see the scenery and props for the current production, Christmas and end of year celebrations for the volunteers, linking up with Petworth House and learning about their Volunteer scheme, visiting Petworth House to see the Christmas decorations that we made to celebrate CFT's 60th anniversary hung on their Christmas trees, a trip to Chichester Canal and a ride on a barge to learn about the canal heritage, a creative writing session, a music workshop, felt flower making, making Christmas decorations, and an art workshop to create 1960's style LP/vinyl covers for the foyer display linked to the production of Redlands in 2024.

You also get to meet people with similar interests and a shared passion for the theatre. The Heritage group is inclusive with a huge range of people, and one thing we all have in common is our love for CFT. I have now made a close friend through Heritage volunteering, someone who I immediately bonded with and who I never would have met if I hadn't become involved with Heritage.

It is impossible to pick out any one highlight from the above as I have loved all the opportunities we are given, but some standout moments have to be the day I was helping to mount the Noël Coward exhibition in the foyer and I carried his famous embroidered slippers; and seeing the Christmas decorations I made with the Heritage group on display in the tree at Petworth as part of a community project.

What tips would you give anyone interested in volunteering? 

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, go for it! You will find it opens new doors and gives you opportunities you would never have dreamt of; you learn new skills, you meet a range of people with a shared passion, you work as part of a team, and you are made to feel so welcome, valued and appreciated by CFT staff and directors.

I am so lucky and so privileged to work in the Heritage group and I always feel "at home" when I am in CFT. The feeling of being a part of something as special as CFT is just incredible!

Our volunteering programe is kindly supported by Liz Juniper and Jilly Styles.