Chichester Community Development Trust (CCDT) has now delivered three successful rounds of its Discover Your Future programme — the pilot in 2019/20, a second programme in 2023, and most recently in 2024 — together supporting more than 50 women from across the Chichester district to gain the confidence, skills, and support needed to start their own businesses.

Each three-month programme offers a unique blend of one-to-one mentoring, group workshops, and peer-to-peer support, helping women who are not currently in education, employment, or training to turn ideas into viable business ventures. Sessions cover essential topics such as marketing, business planning, accounting, and confidence building, while providing the structure, encouragement, and community that make long-term success possible.

The pilot programme, funded by the ESF Community Grants, supported 20 women, many of whom went on to launch their own ventures — from hairdressing and life coaching to digital media and stand-up comedy. Building on that success, the 2022 and 2024 programmes continued to grow the model’s reach and impact, helping participants bring a new wave of creative businesses to life, including:

• Wander Wheels – an adapted taxi service improving accessible travel for all.

• Aibo – a companion service connecting university students and retired people to build intergenerational friendships.

• Yours Truly – an in-person coaching workshop empowering women through personal and professional development.

“It can be an overwhelming and lonely experience setting up your own business,” says Clare de Bathe, CCDT Director. “Discover Your Future removes those barriers by providing expert guidance and a strong community of women who inspire and support one another. The transformation in confidence and ambition we’ve seen is remarkable.”

Across all three programmes, Discover Your Future has shown how targeted, community-based support can be truly transformative. Participants not only develop the tools and knowledge to launch their own businesses but also gain confidence, resilience, and a supportive network that continues well beyond the course.

To meet ongoing demand and continue empowering women across the district, CCDT is now seeking funding to relaunch Discover Your Future for a new cohort in 2026 and beyond. With the right investment, we can equip even more women with the skills, mentorship, and belief needed to create sustainable futures for themselves and their families.

For more details, please contact community@chichestercdt.org.uk