NNF's Unsung Heroes

They’re the army in orange, the oracles of all things NNF, the unpaid, unsung heroes of the Festival – until now. Every year, over 100 well meaning local folk offer their time and services to NNF, taking on the duties that keep the festival running like a well-oiled machine. We wanted to shine a light on these quiet saviours, so asked Robin Jolley, returning volunteer, to tell us why he loves it…

I volunteered last year for the Norfolk and Norwich Festival after I had been made redundant. I had always been interested in music of all types, film and art. So when the opportunity arose to become a volunteer at last year’s festival I gave it a whirl! I really hadn’t expected it to be so much fun! The first thing to say is that the Festival treat their volunteers really well - with good training, induction, information packs, and intensive briefing sessions before each working session. And to make sure you’ve always got access to food and drink. And sun screen (if we ever see the sun again). All the volunteers felt as if they were an important part of the festival and not just an add-on.

I was taken on as a production intern which meant I could be asked to fill any volunteer role available. So wearing the famous orange festival t-shirt what did I do:- the variety of experiences covered the full range from looking the Always Drinking Marching band from Spain ( they do seem to live up to their name!) as they played at various venues around the city as part of May Daze to the serene beauty of the Cathedral, where I was an usher for the Voice Project performance, from the peacefulness of invigilating an art installation on the river at Pull’s Ferry to acting as reception to guests arriving for Dining with Alice at Elsing Hall. And plenty of other things in between. I won’t say it’s not hard work. When you’re wearing the orange t-shirt you do become the face of the Festival and have to be ready to answer questions from the public – Where are the toilets, is this performance suitable for young children, what time does it end, what bus do I need to catch? But as well as the sheer buzz of being part of a very big event, I think overall the thing to be treasured most is the friendships developed as a result of working together with a group of people of all ages and backgrounds coming together as volunteers. Fun is the only way to describe it.