Volunteering 2020

DJL · October 6, 2019

Don’t think here is a thread for his yet...

Will be trying to do this for the first time since 2013 when I was with Oxfam. Waking around the empty site on tuesday and welcoming arrivals on a gate Wednesday morning are still two of my biggest highlights ever.

Any tips, experience or recommendations? I’d rather not wait until Oxfam date if I can get anywhere/anything sorted now.

**incident** · October 6, 2019

1 minute ago, DJL said:

I’d rather not wait until Oxfam date if I can get anywhere/anything sorted now.

Most places won't open applications until some time Jan-March (Oxfam will likely be mid Feb). The one exception that always seems to recruit earlier than most and is already doing do is for litter picking, but most of their spaces are filled up straight away by returnees, and it sounds like this year any new people need to be "vouched for".

Levitz · October 6, 2019

just registered for oxfam

DJL · October 6, 2019

3 minutes ago, incident said:

Most places won't open applications until some time Jan-March (Oxfam will likely be mid Feb). The one exception that always seems to recruit earlier than most and is already doing do is for litter picking, but most of their spaces are filled up straight away by returnees, and it sounds like this year any new people need to be "vouched for".

Thank you I feared as much. The build up is such a big part of it - i’d do pretty much anything to get that feeling when you know you are going!

DJL · October 6, 2019

(Sorry I created two threads, unintentional)

Pauladuncan70 · October 6, 2019

Where else can you volunteer ? I have signed up to be notified by oxfam but would be interested in other options too. Also my husband has an autoimmune illness so he would struggle to stand for 8 hours or do anything that was very physical - can we mention this and it be considered in volunteering groups ? Or do you think they will just not want him /us? ? Would be a shame as they would be missing out on a hardworking 50 something man and women - but I don't want to get my hopes up. And one more question (and this is for a friend - do they allow campervans in the Oxfam volunteers film ?)

Sku · October 6, 2019

1 minute ago, Pauladuncan70 said:

Where else can you volunteer ? I have signed up to be notified by oxfam but would be interested in other options too. Also my husband has an autoimmune illness so he would struggle to stand for 8 hours or do anything that was very physical - can we mention this and it be considered in volunteering groups ? Or do you think they will just not want him /us? ? Would be a shame as they would be missing out on a hardworking 50 something man and women - but I don't want to get my hopes up. And one more question (and this is for a friend - do they allow campervans in the Oxfam volunteers film ?)

Check the other thread:

Looks like it was posted twice in error

DJL · October 6, 2019

When I did bestival years ago they were understanding that my friend had to be with me as a nominated carer to support his mental health fwiw

**incident** · October 6, 2019

1 hour ago, Pauladuncan70 said:

Where else can you volunteer ?

WaterAid (water points or toilets, you can apply for either role), Festaff (wristbanding), Shelter (bars) are the most commonly named ones that you don't need to be located in a specific area for or know someone.

**incident** · October 6, 2019

1 hour ago, Pauladuncan70 said:

Where else can you volunteer ? I have signed up to be notified by oxfam but would be interested in other options too. Also my husband has an autoimmune illness so he would struggle to stand for 8 hours or do anything that was very physical - can we mention this and it be considered in volunteering groups ? Or do you think they will just not want him /us? ? Would be a shame as they would be missing out on a hardworking 50 something man and women - but I don't want to get my hopes up. And one more question (and this is for a friend - do they allow campervans in the Oxfam volunteers film ?)

Sorry, didn't clock the last the question. Some groups allow you to bring a campervan, some don't.

Oxfam do, Festaff don't. Not sure about others. Most groups will take reasonable adjustments into account and allocate a role that allows someone to sit down if needed, but you would need to tell them well before the festival as most roles would normally involve standing.