amfy
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Posts posted by amfy
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Just to be clear, I’m not saying Stonecircle wasn’t poorly treated, or that Oxfam shouldn’t be catering for RAs. All I’m saying is that in practice theres a limit to the number of people with RAs you can take. I think one possible reason they end up treating people with RAs badly at times, is that they can’t accommodate the numbers they recruit with the roles available and there’s no getting round the need to manage that better.
As an extreme example - Oxfam cannot do the job they are there to do, if everyone they recruit needs to sit down……or to be fair, even if half need to sit down.
Saying we’ll always cater for RAs is great in theory, but in practice, there is a limit to how many there can be, & if they don’t manage that somehow, it’s the people needing RAs that suffer.
Also in my experience on shift their management of RAs has been fine, & there wasn’t anyone I couldn’t accommodate when I was supervising, but StoneCircle isn’t the first person I have heard complain, I have met several people in the Oxfam canteen tent that haven’t been happy.
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3 minutes ago, marathonsteve said:
Hiya We were just wondering are you an Oxfam Supervisor
I was an accidental one last year. I somehow ticked that box and ended up having to do it when I didn’t really want to. I also had some not great experiences with those higher up, but some good ones too.
In terms of RA - my husband hadn’t put it on his application but pulled his back in the week leading up to the festival. We ended up spending a lot of Wednesday at FMS to get some stronger painkillers for him and spoke to Oxbox about the fact that he might not complete his shifts (he did). When we got on shift he was on the Team Leaders sheet as an RA despite it having been added late, and they said he should just ask if he needed to sit or lie down for a bit, or let them know if he couldn’t complete the shift. As it turned out, he just got through it, but I had some pre-noted RAs on my team who I looked to put where they would be OK, but then also some others on my team who said they need to sit and others had been ‘sitting for ages’. It’s just not as easy as it looks sometimes. I think some managers/supervisors have a bad attitude, but others just end up with a lot of people who don’t want to stand up for 8 hours. That’s not saying that anyone isn’t genuine in that requirement, just that there is such a thing as too many. -
I honestly think that one difficulty Oxfam, or any organisation Tbf, might have is around the number & range of reasonable adjustments they can reasonably accommodate. Reasonable adjustments have two levels. Firstly is it a reasonable thing for the volunteer to ask? Then can it reasonably be accommodated and still get the job Oxfam are employed to deliver done.
I think if volunteers are asking for quiet shifts, certain times if day, shifts where they can sit down, shifts that aren’t too far from base etc, those aren’t unreasonable to requests in themselves, but if they get too many volunteers needing this, they have a problem with covering what needs covering, and their recruitment process doesn’t seem to cover this eventuality.
i think that’s where they might run into problems as they have more and more returning volunteers who are getting older and needing more allowance to be made for their physical condition. Having been a supervisor, I know it can be heavy going trying to rotate people when half of them need to sit down for most of the time.
That’s not meant as a criticism of anyone with a genuine need, but Oxfam also have a job to get done with the people they employ, & their recruitment process doesn’t seem to do anything to protect themselves against the extremity of literally everyone turning up & needing to sit down!
So maybe that’s something they need to think about - maybe 2 volunteer pots - one for straightforward ‘I can go anywhere I’m put’ applications, & one for people who need to request adjustments, with a bit of wriggle room for people whose circumstances change.
It would be over simplifying it, but not as much as they are now.
Otherwise they are promising people with additional needs something they possibly can’t deliver.-
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2 hours ago, WhoOdyssey said:
I can't actually find a source, but her fans have said that she hates Prada apparently, so I don't see that getting a look in. Not surprising really. Black Mascara didn't chart.
As I said, she'll be fine if she wheels out all her EDM hits. But if not, filling a 20 song headline set will be tough. Only 5/15 tracks of her debut album have more than 10 million streams on Spotify.
Prada is one of her more recent hits and it was actually part of her Brits medley so I think she’s fine with that one. I know from the Louie Theroux interview that she doesn’t like ‘Bed’ but she still seems happy with ‘You don’t know me’ as she did it at Glastonbury last year.
i’m surprised Black Mascara didn’t chart because it got a lot of radio play and is well known. Again - it went down a storm at Glastonbury last year and would sit comfortably as a big tune in any set.
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8 minutes ago, crumbler said:
Genuine calls for Raye to headline the Pyramid? The lack of line-up news has people losing their minds.
I don’t think she should this year, but I think the certainly has potential to in the near future.
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On 3/1/2024 at 10:07 AM, Tr234 said:
Is it difficult getting to sleep with it being so close to SE corner?
Take ear plugs, but you’ll be tired enough to sleep.
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5 hours ago, Spindles said:
Something like the brits is hardly the best example of an artist, in my opinion. I've always thought this tiny desk from the lockdown was a good showcase of Dua live.
Due can definitely sing but as far as I can tell she chooses to ‘perform’ instead at big gigs now.
We saw her headline at Sziget - great show, definitely felt like a headliner, but I don’t think she sung a note.
Not sure how that works for a Glastonbury headliner these days , but I suspect it’s a direction we’re headed in.
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4 hours ago, Alex DeLarge said:
Amy Winehouse wasn't exactly the most original artist in the world - obviously Raye is influenced by her but she definitely has her own sound and style.
Agreed that influenced is right, inferior copy is wrong.
I loved Amy and she had a definitive and authentic style, but Raye is as talented vocally and lyrically, whilst also being more versatile, and not destroying her talent with addiction.
I also think Amy would have headlined if she hadn’t tragically lost control of her life in the way she did….& in that sense Raye is the polar opposite as she is taking greater and greater control at the very age Amy was slipping away from us.
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10 hours ago, WhoOdyssey said:
I think Raye's headlining chances will depend how her next album does, and whether she wants to continue playing her old dance hits which she clearly doesn't like.
Because just from her new album, only 'Escapism' was a hit. Worth It and Flip a Switch did alright, but aren't particularly well known.
Prada? Black Mascara?
She does also have ‘You don’t know me’ from her previous life which is a tune she still rolled out last year and it went off!
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On 9/24/2023 at 6:26 AM, danbailey80 said:
The whole giving fines etc initiative was to try to protect children who, sadly, were missing huge amounts of school (e.g 1/4 of year) due to neglecting parents not bothering/ choosing not to bring to school. Often these families have some very grim home life so it’s even more important the children are away from that and in a safe space.
(At least Ive always hoped it was for this).obviously, to be fair, it needs to be the same rule for all.
But…As a teacher I can assure you that we are not bothered if you take your child to go to something so inspiring for a few days a year. Enjoy it and be grateful you have the opportunity.
now if only they moved it a month later…
Absolutely this.
No one is going to get fined for taking their kids to Glastonbury if their kids are there the rest of the time. You might get a pretend telling off, possibly in writing, but that’s about it.
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46 minutes ago, Tr234 said:
I've been one of the lucky ones chosen by Avalon... does anyone know what the shift patterns are like?
I did oxfam last year so wondering if they are the same
A lot of the bars don’t open until Thursday so the shifts are more weighted towards the main days, but you don’t get a full overnight. Usually a 2-3am finish on the late shift, except Stonebridge which went to 5am when I was there, & no mega early starts either.
Shifts are something like: 11am-7pm, 3pm - 11pm, & 9pm-3am as a rough guide.
You are far more in amongst the festival than the vast majority of Glastonbury Oxfam jobs.
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6 hours ago, MrZigster said:
You're right. Personally there'd be no point in doing it if I were working during every headline set.
Don't think there's anything actually referred to as a "night" shift when working the bars. It's more like earlys, mids and lates (iirc).
In the four I've volunteered at I've always had one shift on either the Wednesday or Thursday. One shift that would clash with a headliner (so a late) Fri, Sat or Sun and one other early or mid shift Fri, Sat or Sun.
I know from speaking to others that this is not set in stone and may just be a coincidence but it suggests that they do try and spread things reasonably fairly.
When I worked for Shelter I had my early shift on Friday (I think something like 11-7?), my late on Saturday (something like 8-2) and my mid on Sunday (something like 2-10).
I don’t think it could have been much worse but I did still enjoy the festival.
I remember chatting with Jeanie & she said my shift pattern was ‘rough’ and that they’d look to get anyone who was on that pattern, and came back, onto a better pattern the following year. I have no idea if that would have actually happened and even less if it would now!
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6 minutes ago, incident said:
Bugger me that's a long shift
(sorry, couldn't resist)
I’m going to edit! 🤣
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1 hour ago, Supernintendo Chalmers said:
I'm considering volunteering for Oxfam at Boomtown. I've never stewarded for Oxfam before. Would anyone recommend Boomtown to steward? Anything I should consider before pushing ahead with it? What are the typical shifts?
The shifts at Boomtown are mostly one morning, one evening and one overnight same as most Oxfam festivals.
The overnight shift could be 9pm to 5am at a stage. Overnighters often go quicker at Boomtown because the public are out and about til all hours!
You often get a mixture of positions so that you don’t spend the whole festival either in the middle of nowhere or in the middle of the madness.
In the middle of the madness can be very full on. You can be trying to monitor an exit to stop people going in and if they hear ‘their sound’ they will really want to be in! You just need to remember you are a steward, not security and do what you can within reason but call for assistance rather than trying to physically stop people.
You may have to do a few ‘recovery positions’ with people who’ve overdone it.
At Glastonbury, people will more often try to pretend they haven’t taken anything naughty but at Boomtown they mostly trust us and will tell you. They often come for help if they are feeling weird so you might just spend some time re-assuring someone or helping them find their friends.
It’s an interesting and engaging festival to work, as well as being amazing in itself. The crowd are just lovely - so up for it!
I really recommend it! It’s bonkers, at times it’s really challenging, but it’s a lot of fun!
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Good Luck today everyone! x
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7 hours ago, faymondo said:
It was i got my mate, my neice and nephew all at random times after the second Oxfam "sale" (Separate random places being returned)
I also got a couple of people places when the large 6.30am drop happened. I went upstairs and told my missus and she got two places for people she worked with.
All details on last years thread.
Someone on here posted how to set up a google page checker and I subscribed to the paid alert once the free trial had run out. Got a couple via my iMac which took longer than the one I got on my iPhone as I had to put bank details in and verify. I have apple pay set up on my phone so that transaction was quicker.
All about speed when the alert went off as numerous people on here were also trying that were also successful.
So 100% true.
Sorry - your missus doesn’t have you in the ball at 6.30am, then she’s not getting places for her mates. No one who doesn’t have to be up at that time is setting their alarm for before 6.30am in case Oxfam drop some places at that time randomly one day - no matter how organised they are or how much they want to go.
anyone who saw that, or got notified, got lucky, and some didn’t.
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I don’t think you’re being TOO positive @stuie because I think a lot will be successful, but I remember the first time I couldn’t get an actual ticket, nothing made me madder than people saying ‘ if you want one enough’ or ‘if you try hard enough’ or ‘if you prepare well enough’ you will get one.
I could not have wanted, tried or prepared any harder and still got nowhere near! I just have a feeling Oxfam volunteer places are sneaking in that same direction that’s all and I wouldn’t want anyone who didn’t get one to think that we think they didn’t really deserve it.
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9 minutes ago, stuie said:
Patience is key. Whether it’s now, next month or even June itself, if you want a place at Glasto with Oxfam you will definitely get one at some point.
Page monitors can help. Browser based ones are best so that you stay logged in by it auto refreshing… distill done the job nicely if I remember correctly.
A good number of those that want to will get in, but nowadays it won’t be everyone. It does get harder every year.
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1 hour ago, sashabella said:
Hi,
I’ve signed up for stewarding at IoW. First time. Does anyone know if there are any threads etc?
Join the Oxfam chat on Facebook and there’ll be WhatsApp groups for each festival nearer the time which will be great for questions and getting to know people. x
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2 hours ago, BillieBobs said:
Thank you so much. I’ll be sure to keep checking. I’m lucky to have a flexible job so I can make time to sit and refresh at regular intervals 😆 Feeling more hopeful now so thank you for cheering me up! 😊
Just after the ticket resale, just before the cancellation deadline, & especially in the last few weeks before the festival when unexpected issues arise that prevent people from going. People have got places up to a few days before the festival - but as I say, keep a general eye out. Don’t lose hope!
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53 minutes ago, BillieBobs said:
Tanked at Oxfam this morning. Got through to the payment page but it declined as it was sold out. I’ve applied for Wateraid, In the ballot for Avalon bar and on the reserves list for Bin painting❤️🤞🎨. Hopefully I’ll get lucky but feeling so deflated today 😭💔
If anyone knows of any other creative volunteer opportunities let me know. Happy to paint anything for ticket 😂
Keep an eye out over the next few days as double bookings, and those who got through but their mates didn’t, re-appear.
you can keep checking back in general for cancellations. There are key points that have already been listed, but they can just appear at any time.
Don’t give up, there’s still a pretty good chance you’ll find a spot.
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1 hour ago, LizzieRose said:
This is the normal shift pattern, most people will get one morning, afternoon and evening shift.
As Wednesday is the busiest day at the gates, there is also a chance you get one of the other shift patterns with an extra shift on Wednesday instead of your last shift.
E.g. my first year with oxfam I had E shift, but had a Wednesday morning shift 6am-2pm instead of an overnight shift on Sunday. Meant I was totally done with shifts by 2pm on the Saturday - felt so lucky!!!
It’s widely accepted that D is the worst shift pattern in terms of what you miss.
Use the lockups to make the most of your time there. On your overnight shift - take your overnight bag to the nearest point to your shift at the start of the day then you can go straight from the headliner to your shift. You don’t want to have to head back up to Oxfield before your shift.
Similarly. If you want to dump all your extraneous stuff when your end your day shift or morning shift & just go straight out- same applies.
Last year we were on Ped gate C and you could leave your stuff at that gate in a little fenced off enclosure, but use the nearest lock ups if you are in a position where there isn’t anywhere safe to leave your bag.
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On 1/30/2024 at 1:55 PM, philipsteak said:
Hello from Sticklinch Gate! My new home it would seem.
Yep - that was our spot in 2022 and exactly what I had in mind with my description. Saturday overnight - one attempted fence jumper straight into the security compound was the only thing that happened all night!
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3 hours ago, thewomble said:
Yeah I can totally see why it wouldn't be for everyone, but as you say it's surely better than not being there at all?! Would be interesting to see the festival from a different perspective as well. The idea of getting there a couple of days before the crowds sounds great!
My only concern would be the night shift, I've never done one in my life and I do like my sleep 😂 other than that not scared of a bit of hard work though
There’s no getting away from the fact that night shifts are tough, but you just take plenty of layers, some sweets & treats, and it passes. Only one of your shifts will be a night shift (unless you get pre-festival shifts when you could get 3x nights but then you get the whole festival off so that’s no cause for complaint!)
I always hope I’ll get it out of the way early in my shift pattern, because it does get harder as the festival goes on and you get more tired before you even start!
At Glastonbury, if you are lucky you’ll be on a gate that is busy for most of the night (Ped C stays pretty active til about 4-5am -and you finish at 6am).Sadly at Glastonbury there are also some deadly dull spots where it is interminable. No point in dressing it up!
Some people prefer it to the early shift which starts at 5.45!
Volunteering 2024
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Posted
Can I just say that whilst being old is not in itself a disability. It does increase the chances of you having one. Disabilities such as arthritis etc are far more common and likely to require adjustments in old age.
That was the reason for mentioning the aging Oxfam volunteer population. I’m 60 and have not needed or asked for Reasonable Adjustments but it does get more likely as the years pass.
I would also argue that they can be requested for temporary conditions. As previous NHS manager I know we have provided a reasonable adjustments for people recovering from illness or accidents & I have seen people with temporary incapacity accommodated by Oxfam.