Volunteering? Another way in?

[G1T]

The festival's like a big family, so there are other volunteering ways in, but you generally have to be involved in things local to the area to hear about them. Know a couple of people that got in on two weeks notice last year (stewarding on stages), and another on a couple of days notice after he did some calling round (painting the site), all living in Bristol.

The unifying thing with all of them, and all the volunteers I've met, is that they're there to work, and they enjoy working there. If you're not going to enjoy working there, then probably best not do it. Have seen someone take a job they hated two years in a row, and they just had a really, really bad festival both times. Working can be an ace laugh though. Personally I love it.

There are ways in, but only for those who are really prepared to do their research. I'm not one of them btw, so can't offer any concrete tips.

[refriedgenes]

In the case of any of these volunteer positions...

how and when do you send them the £200 or whatever it is to cover the ticket that then gets returned to you if you complete the work? Is it a full payment that comes out of your account that gets refunded eventually or a cheque that sits uncashed?

Reason I am asking is right now I cannot afford to pay the rest of my ticket off due to not having a job or any money but also highly unlikely to have £200 to 'pay' upfront for the volunteering either despite knowing, if I managed to work/volly, I would get the money back due to completed shifts.

This major money issue stopped me from Stewarding at Big Chill last year too. I'd love to work/volly/steward at the fest this year to get an experience other than being a punter.

Is/are there arrangements for super broke (but just as worthy and wanting of attending the G) people or do you have to be solvent to be a volunteer?

[Katster]

Some stranger who ended up in my camp a few years back was an Oxfam volunteer. One day in, he decided he couldn't be arsed with it, and went AWOL, forfeiting his deposit.

I was *not* impressed. It just doesn't seem an honourable route.

On the bright side, you can only pull that stunt once: you get blacklisted and won't be accepted again.

[ivan]

They call it redlisted, for some reason. And I agree. Having worked at Bearded Theory I've felt the strain of other workers not turning up for their shifts. Working 13 hour days was tough!! I was actually quite thankful for the tornado because it meant the tent I was working in closed on the Sunday

I'm hoping to volunteer for Oxfam this year. Do you have any idea of the likelihood of this, having never worked for them in the past? I'm honest and reliable and would work hard....I guess everyone says that though? I hope they'll have me anyway, fingers crossed.

[TalkShow Bob]

I'm thinking of applying with dcss for stewarding. I really don't think i'd mind working at glastonbury but I am gonna try and get my hands on one of the cancelled tickets when they're released first

[strolling wanderer]

They call it redlisted, for some reason. And I agree. Having worked at Bearded Theory I've felt the strain of other workers not turning up for their shifts. Working 13 hour days was tough!! I was actually quite thankful for the tornado because it meant the tent I was working in closed on the Sunday

I'm hoping to volunteer for Oxfam this year. Do you have any idea of the likelihood of this, having never worked for them in the past? I'm honest and reliable and would work hard....I guess everyone says that though? I hope they'll have me anyway, fingers crossed.

Edited January 19, 2010 by strolling wanderer

[refriedgenes]

PAAM isnt a management company, or a company at all. Its a programme that some festival companies use to manage their staff... At the Big Chill the stewarding is all run in house by a team who are paid by The Big Chill...

[TalkShow Bob]

Fair enough. TBH I didn't really research it in a lot of depth, but they were straight up with us though, and honest.

[Paul ™]

Thats good to hear, I was an area manager with them... I really like the Big Chill stewards crew.

[TalkShow Bob]

I think it will all change this year

[kaytee...]

Katster (and any others who are considering volunteering with Oxfam),

Oxfam has a large mix of regulars and newbies who volunteer as Stewards at Glastonbury and many other festivals around Britain.

The application process is electronic and will require newbies to provide two referees who can vouch for you. You will then have to provide @£185 (this may not be the accurate price as it changes year to year) payment via a secure electronic banking link as a deposit for your entry to the festival. As long as you work the full three shifts of 8 and a quarter hours you will receive your money back usually within a month of the last festival you work with Oxfam, so if you do more than one festival it is only one payment that you make to Oxfam.

In return for volunteering with Oxfam you get a secure camping area (last year it was Spring Ground just outside Ped Gate B , 5 meal voucher tickets to exchange with the food stalls in the Oxfam area, decent showers, ok toilets and water taps.

More information can be found on the website along with details about the application process - Oxfam Stewarding

Good luck.