Volunteers make things happen in Duns by Genny Dixon

Having fun at DPF!

Have you ever mused that it would be good to live in a city where there is so much going on? Concerts, theatres, dances, clubs, restaurants… I could be out every evening (and spend a fortune on tickets!)

Living in rural Berwickshire we are much more restricted for choice but one thing is clear - things only happen when people step forward with ideas and enthusiasm and have the energy to carry them out. It’s no coincidence that Bob Noble’s fabulous play ‘Nothing ever happens in Duns’ (ably taken forward by the esteemed Peter Lerpiniere) has consistently attracted one of our best audiences at DunsPlayFest. If people didn’t realise beforehand, they certainly do by the end - it’s not true - Duns is where it all happens!  Our annual drama festival transforms our town in the first week each May into one of the top festivals in the South of Scotland, showcasing every process in dramatic production from creative writing to final performance. We can and do make our own entertainment and have a breadth of home-grown local talent that draws the attention of serious theatre professionals.

On and off stage our volunteers are at the heart of our festival!

DunsPlayFest costs many thousands of pounds to bring to fruition. We are hugely dependent on grant funding - but are proud to enjoy the support of Creative Scotland, the Number One funding agency for the arts in Scotland, who recognise the charitable aims of our work. Not only do we aim to share the joy of theatre in our area, bringing brand new theatre to the Borders, celebrating new playwriting and new drama, but also to encourage and nurture early-career artists. Creative Scotland also recognise that this is a whole-community undertaking involving a massive commitment from many people who help bring a wealth of cultural excellence to a rural area without the transport infrastructure which could open up city-based theatre opportunities to all. But DPF is so much more than the sum of all the many individual events and performances. 

Volunteers of all ages find and devlelop friendships through our volunteer programme

We counted up over 2000 hours of volunteer contributions in bringing DunsPlayFest to reality last year - that could be 10 people working their socks off for months beforehand (yes, that’s how many trustees we have on the committee), or 200 people working just a few hours each. The reality is a mix of both! As Trustees we believe that DunsPlayFest can make a positive difference to our community and to individuals’ lives, and that our volunteers are key to making DPF26 better than ever!

Volunteering isn’t just about older people with time and expertise giving back—it’s a two-way street that brings significant benefits to the volunteer as well. This sense of contributing to something important for our town can foster feelings of value and capability, especially important for those who live alone, are perhaps newcomers to the area or those who struggle with low self-worth. Volunteering reminds us all that we can make a meaningful difference - and enjoy a sense of belonging as well as shared goals and active participation in a successful project.

Maybe you would enjoy a shift or two at our box office!

Getting involved through volunteering provides rewarding activity, increases community engagement and cohesion and helps build a fabulous sense of shared purpose. Getting involved in a project on this scale means working as a team, making new friends, reducing loneliness and even countering depression and anxiety, while offering practical benefits like building new skills.

Volunteering often involves unexpected situations that require quick thinking and emotional flexibility. Learning how to navigate these experiences fosters emotional resilience, which transfers to other areas of life. Whether dealing with difficult personalities, handling setbacks, or managing personal emotions, the skills developed through volunteer work can help us face challenges in everyday life.

Community of all ages enjoy being a part of our wonderful festival!

In DunsPlayFest, our volunteers act on stage, shift scenery, make costumes, source props build stages and are an essential part of bringing a play to its audience. Our volunteers design posters, sell tickets, cook, make coffee, print bunting, help with car parking, source grants - so many skills are needed to plan such an ambitious festival. Being part of the team builds a sense of belonging and brings so much joy when you see the enjoyment and fun that our audiences experience.

You can be involved right away - after reading this blog, share it to your own social media contacts! Your contribution is sincerely sought and hugely valued.

If you are keen to help and have time and practical skills to offer, join us in the Volunteer Hall on Wednesday 25 February at 7pm. After a short AGM we will share light refreshments and information about all the opportunities there are for volunteering.

Together let’s make DPF26 a week to remember.