For nearly six decades, the Pulborough and District Community Care Association (PDCCA) has been helping local residents stay connected, supported and independent. While many people will recognise its community transport vehicles or know someone who attends the weekly lunch club, the full extent of the charity’s contribution to village life is often less visible. Yet for hundreds of residents across Pulborough and the surrounding villages, PDCCA provides an invaluable network of practical help, friendship and community connection.

A Charity Built on Neighbourliness

The origins of PDCCA date back to 1966, when the late Rev. Desmond Bending and Jean Seagrim established what was then described as a “Good Neighbour” scheme. Their vision was simple but powerful: local people helping local people. Nearly 60 years later, that founding ethos remains at the heart of the organisation's work.

Since its creation, the charity has evolved to meet changing community needs while continuing to focus on three essentials: food, friendship and transport. What began as a modest voluntary initiative has grown into one of Pulborough’s most important community organisations.

Supporting Residents Through a Range of Services

Today, PDCCA offers a variety of activities and services designed to combat isolation, improve wellbeing and help residents remain active members of the community. These include:

Community Transport

For many older residents and those without access to a car, transport can be a significant barrier to maintaining independence. PDCCA's community transport service helps people attend medical appointments, go shopping, visit friends and participate in local activities. By providing accessible transport options, the charity enables residents to remain connected to the services and social networks they rely upon.

Wednesday Lunch Club

The weekly lunch club is much more than a meal. It provides an opportunity for residents to meet friends, enjoy conversation and build social connections. Regular social interaction is proven to support mental wellbeing, and the lunch club helps combat loneliness while creating a welcoming community atmosphere.

Pulborough Befriends

Loneliness and social isolation can affect people of all ages, particularly older residents who may live alone. Through its befriending and visiting service, PDCCA helps ensure that local people have someone to talk to and regular social contact. A friendly conversation or visit can make a significant difference to someone's quality of life.

Pulborough Pop-In

The charity also runs a social Pop-In for parents and carers, providing a welcoming space where people can meet, share experiences and access support within their community.

Cooking with Confidence and Pulborough Pantry

PDCCA's wider community activities include initiatives such as Cooking with Confidence and the Pulborough Pantry, helping residents develop practical skills, access affordable food and strengthen community resilience.

Powered by Volunteers

One of the remarkable aspects of PDCCA is that its services are largely delivered by local volunteers. According to Charity Commission records, the charity benefits from around 100 volunteers who give their time and expertise to support residents across the district.

These volunteers drive vehicles, organise activities, provide companionship, prepare meals and help coordinate the charity's many services. Their commitment reflects the strong community spirit that has long characterised Pulborough and its surrounding villages.

The People Guiding the Organisation

The charity is overseen by a board of trustees who are responsible for governance, strategic direction and ensuring that services continue to meet local needs.

Current trustees include Chair John Dixon OBE, alongside Roland Brook, Isla Moran, Louise Kaiser, Karen Brooks, Edna Henly and, most recently, Julia Read. These individuals help guide the organisation and ensure it continues to fulfil its charitable objectives for local residents.

Working alongside trustees, committee members and volunteers, they help maintain a charity that remains both locally focused and responsive to the changing needs of the community.

Why PDCCA Matters

As rural communities face growing challenges around transport, social isolation and access to services, organisations such as PDCCA become increasingly important. The charity provides practical assistance, but perhaps more importantly it strengthens the relationships that hold communities together.

Whether it is a lift to a hospital appointment, a friendly visit, a hot lunch shared with neighbours or support for a parent needing a social connection, PDCCA's work helps ensure that nobody in our community feels left behind.

Nearly 60 years after its founding, the Pulborough and District Community Care Association remains a living example of community spirit in action, demonstrating how local volunteers and local leadership can make a lasting difference to people's lives.