Friday 8 May 2026
Welcome to Community, your Dumfries and Galloway community bulletin.
We are always keen to hear of any positive stories about things that are happening in your community and would like to feature them in Community. Please email us at communitybulletin@dumgal.gov.uk and one of our reporters will get back to you.
A Million Acts of Hope
A Million Acts of Hope is a UK-wide invitation to celebrate the everyday acts of kindness, care and connection happening in our communities. From helping a neighbour to running a local group, volunteering at a food bank, coaching sport or growing food together, these simple actions often go unnoticed – but they are what make places stronger, healthier and more welcoming.
From 13 to 20 May 2026, A Million Acts of Hope will bring these stories together during a national Week of Action, with events and activities taking place across the country. You don’t need to organise anything new (unless you want to) – taking part can be as simple as sharing what you already do, saying thank you to the people who make your community better, or linking an existing activity to the week.
Whether you’re a community group, charity, faith group or an individual, this is a chance to celebrate what’s already happening locally, connect with a wider national moment and help more people feel part of a positive story. Find out more and access free guides, posters and social media assets using the links below.
Twynholm Primary Pupils Spend a Morning at Knocktall Wood
Pupils from Twynholm Primary School enjoyed a hands-on woodland visit on 22 April. At Knocktall Wood near Borgue, the group made the most of the spring sunshine to learn about the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, timber uses and forestry skills.
The visit marks one of the first activities delivered through a new partnership between Dumfries and Galloway Woodlands (DGW) and investment manager Foresight Group.
The collaboration will focus on delivering tangible benefits for local communities, including upgrading and developing physical infrastructure to improve access to woodlands; supporting educational visits to raise awareness and build skills; backing practical, community-led projects that enhance biodiversity, public access and wellbeing across Dumfries and Galloway.
Open Your Home to a Trainee Guide Dog (Even for a Weekend)
Could you offer a short-term or part-time home to a trainee guide dog? With food, vet bills and training covered by Guide Dogs, it’s a welcoming way to enjoy canine companionship while helping change the lives of people with sight loss.
Guide Dogs currently has volunteering opportunities across Dumfries and Galloway and would love to hear from anyone who can offer time, support or a temporary home.
Ways you can help
- Training Dog Fosterer – offer a weekend home for 10–12 weeks while a dog (aged 1+) completes its training. (Kirkcudbright, Dalbeattie or Castle Douglas.)
- Respite Fosterer – provide short-term care when emergency cover is needed. (Kirkcudbright, Dalbeattie or Castle Douglas.)
- Puppy Raiser – look after a puppy for 12–16 months, supporting early training, socialisation and confidence in new environments, while providing a loving home. (Across Dumfries and Galloway.)
- Puppy Fosterer – provide short-term care, for example when a puppy raiser is on holiday. (Across Dumfries and Galloway.)
- Fundraiser – help the Dumfries and Galloway Fundraising Group at local events or support by managing collection boxes across the region (even an hour here and there makes a difference).
Going away? Guide Dogs can also arrange holiday cover while you’re looking after one of their dogs.
Find out more and apply at: www.guidedogs.org.uk/volunteer.
Prefer to chat first? Contact Emma at: VolAttractNorth@guidedogs.org.uk.
Young People Invited to Apply for National YouthVIP Panel
Young people across Dumfries and Galloway are being encouraged to take part in a national initiative that is helping to shape the future of volunteering in Scotland.
Applications are now open for the YouthVIP Panel – a collaborative programme bringing together young people, national organisations and local government to improve volunteering opportunities and ensure young people’s voices are at the heart of decision-making.
YouthVIP (Youth Volunteering Innovation Project) was created following a series of recommendations made by young people to the Scottish Government. Today, the panel works alongside organisations including Young Scot, YouthLink Scotland and Volunteering Matters to make volunteering more inclusive, accessible and relevant to young people.
Those who join the panel will have the opportunity to work as part of a team to influence how volunteering is developed across Scotland. This includes helping to design and shape opportunities for young people, as well as contributing directly to the creation of resources such as digital content, videos and guidance to support organisations.
Panel members will also play a key role in promoting youth voice within volunteering, engaging with local authorities, the third sector and wider partners to ensure young people’s needs and rights are reflected in future plans.
The role offers a mix of in-person and wider engagement opportunities, with the panel meeting four times over the coming year, alongside additional events and activities.
Key dates for panel sessions are:
- Saturday 6 June 2026.
- Saturday 29 August 2026.
- Saturday 7 November 2026.
- Saturday 20 February 2027.
This is a valuable opportunity for young people who want to make a difference, build skills and gain experience working at a national level.
Anyone interested in joining the YouthVIP Panel is encouraged to complete the online sign-up form. Applications close on Monday 18 May, with shortlisted applicants invited to a follow-up conversation with the Young Scot YSHive team.
Popular Garden Open Day and Picnic Prom Returns to Barwhillanty Estate
Barwhillanty Estate is welcoming visitors back for its Garden Open Day and Picnic Prom on Saturday 13 June, with gardens open from 11am and a 1pm recital in the newly refurbished walled garden. The event is part of the 47th Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival, presented in partnership with Arts D&G.
Set against the Galloway Hills, visitors can enjoy an afternoon of live music and relaxed summer dining at the pavilion in the walled garden. You can bring your own picnic or pre-order Barwhillanty’s wood-fired pizzas. Tea, coffee and ice cream will be available on site.
The 1pm Picnic Prom recital features local soprano Claudia Wood, joined by soprano Rachael Brimley and pianist Derek Clark (former Head of Music, Scottish Opera), performing a sparkling mix of opera and song favourites.
The Picnic Prom also marks the finale of Barwhillanty’s 2026 music series, following events in May and early June including La traviata (30 May).
Barwhillanty Estate is a family-run estate in the Galloway Hills, focussed on conservation and creating opportunities for community engagement through culture and the arts.
Please dress for the weather and bring picnic blankets or chairs if you wish.
Galloway Shorts Screening Returns to Dalry in August 2026
Cultural Glenkens has announced the return of its popular Galloway Shorts Screening, following the success of last year’s event, which showcased a wide range of local and emerging filmmaking talent.
The next screening will take place on Thursday 27 August, 7pm at Dalry Town Hall, and filmmakers and creatives are invited to submit short films for consideration.
To take part, submit an expression of interest by 26 June, with final films due by 6 August 2026. Submission categories are: Drama (5–10 minutes), Documentary (3–5 minutes), Digital Animation (1–4 minutes) and Stop Animation (1–2 minutes).
Entrants must be aged 12+ at the time of registering interest. Films must be suitable for a PG audience and should not include horror, sexual themes, violence or strong language. Cultural Glenkens may decline or request edits to submissions to meet these guidelines.
 Meet the Buyer Returns to Dumfries This Month
Local businesses are invited to Meet the Buyer at The Bridge, Dumfries, on Thursday 21 May from 9.30am to 12.30pm.
The free event offers a chance to hear about upcoming public sector contract opportunities, meet buyers face-to-face and get straightforward advice on the tendering process.
Whether you are completely new to bidding for work or already have experience of supplying to the public sector, the event is designed to make the process feel more accessible and easier to understand.
Exhibitors are expected to include Dumfries and Galloway Council, the Supplier Development Programme, NHS Dumfries and Galloway, Business Gateway, Federation of Small Businesses, Scotland Excel, hub South West, Wheatley Group and others.
RBCFT Film of the Week: The Devil Wears Prada 2
The Devil Wears Prada 2 brings back the charm, fashion and sharp humour that made the original movie so popular. Set almost 20 years later, the sequel follows Miranda Priestly, Andy Sachs, Emily Charlton and Nigel as they deal with a fashion world that now revolves around social media, influencers and the decline of print magazines.
The biggest strength of the film is easily the cast. Meryl Streep slips back into Miranda’s icy attitude perfectly, while Anne Hathaway and Emily Blunt still have great chemistry together. Stanley Tucci also adds warmth and humour whenever he’s on screen. Watching these characters reunite feels comfortable and entertaining, especially for fans of the original movie.
Visually, the film looks great. The outfits, office scenes and fashion events all feel stylish without becoming distracting. The movie clearly knows people came for glamour and drama – and it delivers both. There are also plenty of references to the first film.
Although the first film focussed more on ambition and the pressure of breaking into the fashion industry, the sequel looks at what happens later in life when success, influence and relevance become harder to maintain. Miranda Priestly is dealing with a fashion world that no longer works the way it used to, while Andy and Emily are trying to balance career success with personal happiness and loyalty.
Overall, The Devil Wears Prada 2 is a solid and entertaining sequel. It’s a fun watch with strong performances, stylish visuals and enough humour to keep audiences engaged. It develops the overall story in a mature and a very real-life way that many may relate to while still keep the original vibe.
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