Duns Senior Citizens Club

1. How has this funding impacted your organisation overall?

We are a thriving, popular Club and have an ever increasing number of prospective folk’s names on the waiting list, keen to join. We celebrate our 60th birthday in February 2026.
Our annual Summer Trip is one of the highlights, nicely rounding off our session. It is very popular.

Thanks to your financial assistance, we can ‘push the boat out’ and provide an extra special day out, which, for so many isn’t usually possible. We make sure they’re looked after.
The reputation of the Club is acknowledged by the entire community of Duns, for going that extra mile – in thinking about the elderly citizens of the town. And we ensure that our members are made aware of any Grant we receive towards events, that’s important and it’s appreciated.

2. What difference has the funding made for the people you support?

The majority of our members live alone, so it’s a proper treat for them to look forward to this day out. The fact they’re sharing it with friends, creates a lot of conversation and hilarity, they enjoy the run out, relaxing on the bus. It’s an absolute tonic, and definitely gives them the feel good factor. It may seem quite a simple excursion to some – but not to them – it’s something special.

3. In what ways has the funding affected your volunteers or their involvement?

Our volunteers have many years of experience in looking out for our members, it’s a very rewarding role to play. Giving something back to these grateful and perhaps lonely folk.
The TLC on offer is always appreciated, mutual respect rules! They deserve our time, and we give it freely and willingly.

4. What improvements or changes have you made to your programmes or services as a result of the funding?

The funding has enabled us to use our own finances in the bank, in other ways, eg new equipment/providing treats of a better quality at our regular meetings/reimbursement of speakers’ expenses etc. All of this, without asking extra financial contributions from our members.

5. Has the funding led to any new collaborations or strengthened community connections?

Not really. Because the Club is affiliated to the RVS and is a member of Age Scotland, our partnership is with them, nationally more than locally.

6. How has the funding influenced your organisation’s sustainability or future plans?

Well, it means our own finances are in a much more healthy position, thanks to your generosity.

7. What feedback do you have about the funding application and award process?

My only thought is, and I mean this constructively. It’s probably because we (there’s 2 secretaries working together), are in our 70s, and are verging on being ‘dinosaurs’!! Not quite there yet!!

We realise it’s the way forward and we try our best, it’s completing stuff on line we struggle with. And to us, some of the questions appear to be sort of ‘similar’, maybe even ‘duplicate’. We feel we’re repeating ourselves.

But having said all that, the offer of assistance from you has always been there, but we seem to have managed in answering in the correct manner.

Maybe we’ve not mastered ‘modern speak’, as language does change – or alternatively, we’re overthinking it. Overall though, it’s been a learning curve and a pleasure!

8. What additional support would help you build on the success of this funding?

Please just keep doing what you’re doing. It’s so worthwhile and a positive tool for less known voluntary organisations to be able to access. I sincerely hope the future continues to be ‘rosy’ for all of us! In the present day, all Third Sector Organisations are much needed/more needed than ever before. It’s an honour and privilege to play a part (albeit small) in the valuable work that’s carried out. Well done!

9. Is there anything else you’d like to share about your experience with this funding?

Grateful thanks again!