Welcome to Chivers Trust.

The Trust was set up in 2007 to honour the memory of Roy Chivers, who lived in Norwich from 1985 to 2007. Roy was a lovely man whose own introduction to hearing music played live as a schoolboy inspired a lifelong passion for the direct experience of playing and listening. He loved the special excitement of live performance by musicians, singers, opera, and theatre.

Chivers Trust aims to give young people from disadvantaged backgrounds the opportunity to take part in projects involving live singing, drama, music, dance, movement and other art forms.

Chivers Trust funds programmes of activity across Norfolk and Suffolk and priority is given to those that truly involve and inspire. Over 100 projects have been supported by the Trust between 2009 and 2022, giving around 5000 young people the opportunity to participate in the arts.

“This has been an incredible journey and the pupils have learnt to express themselves in ways they did not know were possible.”

Matthew Brown, Head of Music, Hellesdon High School

To make participation in performance a positive experience the projects should, ideally, involve a professional in that speciality who provides workshops, rehearsals and opportunities to share creativity and increase confidence.

Our criteria mean that we favour projects which provide practical skills so that the experience is a good basis for development.

If you have an arts project that fits our criteria, we would like to hear from you. More information and details on how to apply can be found here.

The Trustees are Caroline Chivers (Chair), Roger Rowe, Hilary Battye, Sally Floyer, Victoria Jenkins and Stash Kirkbride.