Volunteers Week 2025: Meet Philip

Philip during a Pantomime rehearsal

My name is Philip and I have been with the Louth Playgoers for 14 years, however I have been a volunteer here for about 8 years. I had been performing with the Playgoers on and off whilst I was at university in Salford, so when I came back and had lots of spare time on my hands, I thought I could help out a bit more, so I joined both the marketing team and also the lighting department. I currently sit as the chair of the Marketing and Communication Committee. I have also volunteered on the bar, behind box office, backstage, as well as being a performer, writer and director.

Volunteering for me has always been just about having fun in an enviroment that feels like home to me. You meet likeminded people, but people that are also very different and have amazing stories to tell. Some of the best times I’ve had at the theatre are sitting in the foyer whilst the show is on, talking with the other front of house staff.

Volunteering at the theatre has reaped many benefits as I have learnt so much; from being able to pour the perfect pint, to SEO skills in running the website, to how to program a show’s lights. I also met my partner through volunteering at the theatre, so I guess thats a pretty big benefit of volunteering.

My favourite moment of volunteering had to be helping out during the socially distanced festival we held during lockdown. I was there filming the day and it was just so much fun to be a part of, especially having been in lockdown for so long. The video still serves as an amazing reminder of that day for me.

I would wholeheartedly reccommend volunteering for anyone that wants to give back as it gives you so much back. You make lifelong friends, memories that cannot be replaced, all whilst helping indirectly give joy to so many others. It is something that is uncomparable and very special. So, if you are thinking about joining, take the leap and go for it. You’ll not regret it.