VOLUNTEERING AT FESTIVALS

Most UK festivals need volunteers to help run the events. This is a great way to get some valuable work experience on your CV. Most festivals give volunteers free tickets in exchange for the volunteer work.
Check out some of the FAQs below for more information.

Click this link to find out more about some of the festivals that you could volunteer at....

Is it ok to go on your own?

Yes; it’s a great way to meet up with other people, plenty of others will be doing the same.

Do you get free entry into the festival?

That’s usually the best thing about volunteering through a festival! (Some organisations will offer paid work for festivals. So it is best to check on exactly what you get).

Are any extra facilities provided for volunteers?

Often you will have your own staff camping area, which can make it a little easier to get sleep; additional security will also probably be provided. Sometimes there are better sanitary facilities. Tea making facilities and a possible microwave can be other bonuses. The extra shelter and social meeting point can be another advantage of one of those areas! Information should be provided when you apply or are accepted for volunteering.

What if something happens and you can’t attend for a shift?

All festivals vary on how to approach the management of volunteers. Some, (such as Glastonbury), will require you to cover the cost of your ticket initially. That payment would be handed back on completion of your duties. It is always worth seeing if someone can swap a shift if that helps you out.

What does the experience of working at festivals teach you?

It’s worth finding out about facilities and shelter; and how teams and shifts are worked out. The length of a shift can be useful information. It’s not too much fun being stuck out in the middle of torrential rain for 8 hours through the night (sure it wouldn’t be too enjoyable in the daytime either)!

What advice would you provide to someone who’s never been to a festival before?

Make sure you have spare and warm clothing – don’t forget waterproofs. Wellies or walking boots are usually requirements! Leave valuable po ssessions at home and think wisely about what you are doing with your money etc. While most festival goers are there to enjoy themselves; there are some who may be there for other purposes and relying on those who don’t take care.

With all these factors taken into consideration you should be well on the way to having a great time. It’s a brilliant way to have fun in the summer for a lesser cost, and to meet other people who enjoy such events.

Bearing in mind that a long walk from your car park or from the bus drop off points is unavoidable we would recommend that you travel reasonably light. Most of the festivals have plenty of markets and traders who are keen to supply all sorts of goodies to the festival goers stuck on site for at least 2 days but not surprisingly the prices in the festivals are going to higher than in the real world. Having said that here is a list of what we consider to be necessary items that everyone should take with them:
Below is a whole check list of what to take – from the efestival site :o)
Don’t know where we would stand with adding this in – maybe just a link might be best!?
It doesn’t mention mobiles as far as I have noticed. If the charge can be preserved or topped up it’s worth having such a handy tool for keeping in contact with others at a festival.

Tent - the bigger the better (especially if it's wet). The most popular fairly economical are 2/3 man dome tents, however the range of tents/canvas arrangements you will see on site is amazing but many would cause distress to any boy scouts amongst you. (see separate Security Guide for camping advice).

Sleeping Bag - nothing too fancy is necessary, a 2 seasons one usually does the job.

Torch - a must to avoid the killer guy ropes.

Penknife - for opening cans and bottles, etc.

Loo Roll - oh yes … you don't want to have to trudge for half an hour to get one.

Matches/Lighter - for those late night fires or Camberwell Carrots.

Water Container - fill it up from the taps and it could save you a long queue in the morning. There are some collapsible containers with taps that are cheap and perfect.

Sun Block/Lotion - never believe the weather forecasts and bring some. 3 days with little shelter can test even the darkest skins.

Rain Proof Anorak - never believe the forecasts and bring one (many use black bin liners with holes cut out).

Hefty Boots/Trainers - you'll be on your feet a lot so those flip flops will lose their appeal.

One Complete Change of Clothing - a reminder for those of us who have had to pull on soaking wet clothes in the morning ... not pleasant.

Toiletries - soap, deodorant, toothbrush and toothpaste and a small towel. (Girls should consult Butterfly's Festival Glamour Guide for more in depth advice on toiletries etc).

Medication - inhalers, hayfever pills etc. If you might need them then don't forget them.

Money - 'fraid to say you'll need some. There are often cash machines on site at the bigger events, but usually accompanied by huge queues. Remember to keep enough to get home.

Condoms - you never know your luck. (that's you too girls!!)

Optionals

Gas Cooker - good for that in-tent morning cup of tea.

Pot Noodles - if you have a cooker then these can make a change from burgers etc. (however the food at many festivals can be surprisingly good with plenty of variety). Very light to carry!

Wellies - if you haven't got a decent pair of water proof boots then wellies are a must even if you end up leaving them in the car.

Ghetto-blaster - for the nights around the fire and for the footy commentary (Glasto).

Booze - for some good, if light hearted, advice on this and other important things have a look at Pete & Stu's lads guide to festivals.

Mattresses - more than 2 days on the ground and a blow-up mattress or a mat becomes compelling.

Others - everything from plasters and headache pills to Rizlas are available on site but if you've got room and are that thoughtful then take them.

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INFORMATION ON FESTIVALS THAT YOU COULD VOLUNTEER AT

Wychwood Festival
Experience Wychwood Festival by giving your time and energy in making this brilliant festival happen. There are benefits including free entry, meeting new friends, learning new skills, and being part of Wychwood's growing team of volunteers.
There will be full training given and you will be working in various areas over the festival weekend including festival information, night stewarding, backstage stewarding, hospitality stewarding or supporting stewards in different areas if required. There will also be a need for stewards to work at various venues across the site including music stages, the cinema, workshop venues or within the traders village.
You will be:
Welcoming people to the festival
Checking tickets and wristbands
Being the friendly face of Wychwood festival informing visitors
Maintaining emergency service access
Site security

You can download a copy of the Stewards Application Form from www.wychwoodfestival.co.uk

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Glastonbury Festival
www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk  
Paid employment
The Festival is regularly approached about the availability of different types of jobs. In fact, the numbers employed directly by the Festival are relatively small. If you want to work in event management, stage management, rigging and staging, sound, lighting, electrics, plumbing, event security, tent contractors and so on, the Festival can not really help you. Many, if not all, of these specialists are employed by different event management companies that have established, experienced crew who return year on year – as do most of the organisers running performance fields. Other options for working at Glastonbury.....
• www.cashandtrafficmanagement.com employ car parking staff between the Sunday before the Festival until the Monday after the Festival – staff are required to work a minimum of four 12 hour shifts.

•Similarly www.dcsiteservices.com  employ staff to assist with running the campervan and caravan fields. They also supply checkers at vehicle gates and staff the onsite vehicle chaperone service.

• Market traders do require staff, but in the main they recruit people who live near them and they know. If you know traders who come to the Festival, get in touch with them early as they have limited number of passes for each stall. If you buy your ticket, but find you are getting a bit short of cash during the Festival, some traders will employ extra staff who are already on site when they are busy – so try some of the food stalls that are rushed off their feet.
Working for your ticket

There are opportunities to work for different organisations and charities providing services for the Festival. Normally people are required to work three 8 hour shifts for their ticket, but it does vary slightly. In some cases you would be required to pay for the ticket in advance, and would be reimbursed after completing the required hours.

• Oxfam provide entrance gate stewards. Oxfam recruits its stewards primarily from past stewards and Oxfam supporters. For further information about stewarding with Oxfam please go to www.oxfam.org.uk/stewards.
• Litter pickers are recruited by the Festival. Initially people who have worked successfully before are approached, thereafter applications are taken from those who get in touch with Festival. To apply call 01749 899086 or email fiona@glastonburyfestivals.co.uk

• Workers Beer hold the alcohol licence on site. If you are a Trade Union member, you can apply for bar work with them, in return for access to the Festival – www.workersbeer.co.uk.  The Festival does not employ bar staff.
• Qualified medical staff can apply to join Dr Chris Howes’ team of volunteers by completing the application on the website www.festival-medical.co.uk.

• Tent stewards and campsite wardens are recruited from local carnival clubs, parent teachers associations, sports clubs and voluntary groups. Over the past five years the Festival has trained thousands of individuals, has a waiting list of organisations wishing to raise funds in this way and does not anticipate many vacancies in 2009. One carnival trust looking for recruits is www.festivelizards.co.uk  

• Property lockups are run by different peace and environmental groups, so if you are a member of such a group, you might wish to check if your local branch is involved.

• If you already volunteer for a charity, you may be able to work at the Festival through them. Check out if they are coming to Glastonbury. Similarly, if you are a Samaritan, you could investigate joining their Festival Branch.

• Oasis Carnival recruit workers for stewarding/working on the outside of the Festival for people looking to work in exchange for their ticket. You can find more information at www.oasiscarnival.co.uk  or e-mail info@oasiscarnival.co.uk.

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Oxjam Music
Work for Oxfam and the Oxjam Music Festival.
Oxfam are looking for regional managers to manage the regional events. This is a great opportunity for Event Management students to gain some valuable experience.

In this role you will recruit a team to work with, planning and delivering an exciting flagship event, and increasing participation in Oxjam in your area. It will take passion, commitment and determination to pull off and will be 6 months that you will not forget. This opportunity provides a unique and exciting way to get experience of events, fundraising, project management, the charity sector and working in live music. 

For more info and to find out how to apply contact music@oxfam.org.uk or call 01865 47 2369. Applications need to be in by April 26th.  

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