Volunteering 2025

[philipsteak]

Don't forget for Oxfam you have to swap all 3 shifts

[efcfanwirral]

24 minutes ago, balti-pie said:

Its weird with shifts - i always presumed the late (2-10pm) would be the one that takes out most of the artists i want to see, but actually it worked out great cos you finish just in time for a headliner (assuming you're quite near the stage) and can then get right amongst the late night stuff cos you're really up for it.

The overnight obvs takes out any chance of late night stuff, but its only one night out of the five potential nightshifts, and tends to go the quickest, in my experience anyways. They're cold, but quick. 

I'm not going to get forensic about the lineup til i know what i'm doing, Neil Young is the only must-see for me and the rest i can work around and see what i can - there's loads of things i really fancy 

2-10 would definitely cause me problems on the Friday and Sunday, as this year its much more about the daytime acts than headliners for me! Saturday is a complete write off for me music wise so far, especially in comparison

 

41 minutes ago, CaledonianGonzo said:

 

I'm flying solo but may well want to swap to keep Saturday free if that’s any use 

Cheers - there's two of us but may well end up finding another solo goer who wants the same!

[fred quimby]

48 minutes ago, CaledonianGonzo said:

 

I'm flying solo but may well want to swap to keep Saturday free if that’s any use 

Your crew just not going or trying in the resale?

[CaledonianGonzo]

12 minutes ago, efcfanwirral said:

Cheers - there's two of us but may well end up finding another solo goer who wants the same!

 

Great. Pls keep me in mind.

[CaledonianGonzo]

7 minutes ago, fred quimby said:

Your crew just not going or trying in the resale?

 

We're all trying in the resale - just not especially optimistic given experiences in November.

[efcfanwirral]

4 minutes ago, CaledonianGonzo said:

 

Great. Pls keep me in mind.

 

2 minutes ago, CaledonianGonzo said:

 

We're all trying in the resale - just not especially optimistic given experiences in November.

Same on the resale, let's hope we don't need to make these decisions at all! 

[HorseMeatDiscount]

I'm in the fortunate position of having been offered volunteering places with both Oxfam and Avalon, and have to pick which to do.

 

People who've done either before; which would you pick? I feel like being out and about stewarding would be better than being stuck inside a bar tent for 8 hours; but I suppose there's the risk with Oxfam that you're miles out on some weird shift.

 

Is there a clear winner or shall I flip a coin...

[balti-pie]

11 minutes ago, HorseMeatDiscount said:

I'm in the fortunate position of having been offered volunteering places with both Oxfam and Avalon, and have to pick which to do.

 

People who've done either before; which would you pick? I feel like being out and about stewarding would be better than being stuck inside a bar tent for 8 hours; but I suppose there's the risk with Oxfam that you're miles out on some weird shift.

 

Is there a clear winner or shall I flip a coin...

I wouldnt want to serve in a bar, you run the risk of it being deafeningly loud/annoying music, and it could be spectacularly busy and really demanding on the senses. Stewarding can be all of those things too, but it can also be out on the gates with very little to do - theres goods and bads to both, i think i'd just prefer the more staid atmos of stewarding 👍 

how are you getting there? The oxfield is just outside gate B, and you can park in the field next door - i think ive heard that some bar staff have to get a bus, but YMMV

[Johnnyseven]

3 hours ago, balti-pie said:

The overnight obvs takes out any chance of late night stuff, but its only one night out of the five potential nightshifts, and tends to go the quickest, in my experience anyways. They're cold, but quick.

 

This all depends where you're posted and what you have to do. My night shift in 2023 was on a 'pedestrian crossing' just outside PGB, there were about 3 vehicles all night so we basically had nothing to do for 8 hours, it was deathly boring and dragged like nobody's business. I'd have loved to have been somewhere exciting like PGC. 

Edited March 6, 2025 by Johnnyseven

[MrZigster]

1 hour ago, HorseMeatDiscount said:

I'm in the fortunate position of having been offered volunteering places with both Oxfam and Avalon, and have to pick which to do.

 

People who've done either before; which would you pick? I feel like being out and about stewarding would be better than being stuck inside a bar tent for 8 hours; but I suppose there's the risk with Oxfam that you're miles out on some weird shift.

 

Is there a clear winner or shall I flip a coin...

 

You stand a better chance of actually getting some sleep in the Oxfam camp. And no faffing about having to get to Bristol to catch a coach.

 

That would sway it for me.

[wakinonaprettydaze]

1 hour ago, balti-pie said:

I wouldnt want to serve in a bar, you run the risk of it being deafeningly loud/annoying music, and it could be spectacularly busy and really demanding on the senses. Stewarding can be all of those things too, but it can also be out on the gates with very little to do - theres goods and bads to both, i think i'd just prefer the more staid atmos of stewarding 👍 

how are you getting there? The oxfield is just outside gate B, and you can park in the field next door - i think ive heard that some bar staff have to get a bus, but YMMV

I've done both Oxfam and Avalon and have to say it's Avalon all the way for me.    The benefits of Avalon being unlimited showers, more meal tickets, closer camping site, cold beer and cider cans sold from the campsite, being undercover on your shifts if it too hot or raining, shifts fly past because your busy, all bars right in the midst of the madness rather than mile out on a gate and the biggest for me ..no overnight shifts - that really drained me and mucked me up for a few days with Oxfam especially as I tried to then sleep during the day after but it was too hot in the tent during the day to get a kip. 

[wakinonaprettydaze]

3 minutes ago, MrZigster said:

 

You stand a better chance of actually getting some sleep in the Oxfam camp. And no faffing about having to get to Bristol to catch a coach.

 

That would sway it for me.

Thats what ear plugs are for and no hill of death to climb at the end of your shift.   Also if you car share, you're likely to get a car pass to drive straight to site rather than having to go through Bristol 

[MrZigster]

2 hours ago, wakinonaprettydaze said:

Thats what ear plugs are for and no hill of death to climb at the end of your shift.   Also if you car share, you're likely to get a car pass to drive straight to site rather than having to go through Bristol 

Ear plugs are no match for the constant doof doof doof from the SEC even with noise cancelling headphones over the top. Avalon stated they haven't yet been offered any car parking passes for this year atm.

 

I'll give you being under cover if the weather's bad. And the bar. £2.50 for cocktail cans that were going for £7 on site.

 

Each to their own.

 

[gooner1990]

2 hours ago, wakinonaprettydaze said:

I've done both Oxfam and Avalon and have to say it's Avalon all the way for me.    The benefits of Avalon being unlimited showers, more meal tickets, closer camping site, cold beer and cider cans sold from the campsite, being undercover on your shifts if it too hot or raining, shifts fly past because your busy, all bars right in the midst of the madness rather than mile out on a gate and the biggest for me ..no overnight shifts - that really drained me and mucked me up for a few days with Oxfam especially as I tried to then sleep during the day after but it was too hot in the tent during the day to get a kip. 

I worked the Stonebridge bar in 2019 when it was loopy hot and it was a god send being under cover when everyone else was out in the sun frazzling 

[dotdash79]

Wateraid people, next week is when we find out. 
 

 

[CharlotteB]

Things are really kick into gear all over the shop ☺️

[bob323]

5 hours ago, wakinonaprettydaze said:

I've done both Oxfam and Avalon and have to say it's Avalon all the way for me.    The benefits of Avalon being unlimited showers, more meal tickets, closer camping site, cold beer and cider cans sold from the campsite, being undercover on your shifts if it too hot or raining, shifts fly past because your busy, all bars right in the midst of the madness rather than mile out on a gate and the biggest for me ..no overnight shifts - that really drained me and mucked me up for a few days with Oxfam especially as I tried to then sleep during the day after but it was too hot in the tent during the day to get a kip. 

I've never done Avalon, but I have massive adhd issues and that sounds much better than  oxfam. But for normal people I think oxfam provide a better range of energeticness. allowing you to choose a variation of relaxed to manic experience

Edited March 6, 2025 by bob323

[fred quimby]

8 hours ago, CaledonianGonzo said:

 

We're all trying in the resale - just not especially optimistic given experiences in November.

Ah ok, good luck.

 

See you on the farm either way.

[dogeggs]

8 hours ago, HorseMeatDiscount said:

I'm in the fortunate position of having been offered volunteering places with both Oxfam and Avalon, and have to pick which to do.

 

People who've done either before; which would you pick? I feel like being out and about stewarding would be better than being stuck inside a bar tent for 8 hours; but I suppose there's the risk with Oxfam that you're miles out on some weird shift.

 

Is there a clear winner or shall I flip a coin...

I’ve volunteered with Avalon for the last couple of years. Haven’t worked Glastonbury with Oxfam before, but I did volunteer with Oxfam for a couple of festivals in 2024 too.

 

My wife and I had the exact same conundrum. We had priority for both, neither organisation come without their flaws - but in the main

my wife and I much preferred Avalon, and that’s who we’re volunteering with again for 2025.
 

Our main issue with Oxfam was the poor planning. Several of our Oxfam shifts weren’t organised well at all l, leaving us confused and feeling a bit abandoned. On top of that, most of our shifts over two festivals were nowhere near anything of interest, which we knew could happen,  but things at Glastonbury could be more extreme where I understand you could be way off site with a very long walk back to bed at night.
 

Compare that to Avalon, all shifts are inside the fence - and since you’re on a bar - you’re very likely to be located right near the interesting stuff, which is handy when you’re not on shift.

 

The bar work itself is pretty straightforward and not incredibly complicated, but it’s the same job wherever you’re stationed. I get it that Oxfam work can be easier, but you’ve no guarantees what you’ll be doing and the work varies a lot.

The camping set up was much the same with both, and I can’t talk much about the Glasto Oxfield, but I believe Avalon’s site is quite a bit closer to site than the Oxfield (directly outside a ped gate) which earns brownie points.
 

The bus transport setup isn’t ideal, but it isn’t a deal breaker for us.

 

The final thing that swayed it for us was the priority. Oxfams rules are changing, but even now they ask for a lot more in return for priority, whereas you don’t need to work any other festivals for Avalon priority.

[LateStarter50]

9 hours ago, HorseMeatDiscount said:

I'm in the fortunate position of having been offered volunteering places with both Oxfam and Avalon, and have to pick which to do.

 

People who've done either before; which would you pick? I feel like being out and about stewarding would be better than being stuck inside a bar tent for 8 hours; but I suppose there's the risk with Oxfam that you're miles out on some weird shift.

 

Is there a clear winner or shall I flip a coin...

I enjoyed my bar shifts and overall Avalon vip experience so much last year that I didn’t bother trying the public ballot for this year. Brilliant team ethos and fun interacting with happy customers. So glad I’m back in with them this year. 
good luck making your choice, I don’t know the alternative you have.

[dumbsaints]

Two Oxfam volunteers here who would prefer their patterns to be A, B or E. 

I.e. happy to work on Saturday but needing Fri 2pm til end of Fri headliner free.

 

Early days but if that sounds the opposite of your plans, drop me a message 😊

 

Both of us have been waiting for years and years for The 1975 to headline, and there's also another all time fave band of ours on the same day. Simply can't miss that Friday 🙏

 

 

 

[CaledonianGonzo]

DMd you

[CaledonianGonzo]

7 hours ago, fred quimby said:

Ah ok, good luck.

 

See you on the farm either way.

 

Indeed 👍 

[rebus]

On 06/03/2025 at 14:01, HorseMeatDiscount said:

I'm in the fortunate position of having been offered volunteering places with both Oxfam and Avalon, and have to pick which to do.

 

People who've done either before; which would you pick? I feel like being out and about stewarding would be better than being stuck inside a bar tent for 8 hours; but I suppose there's the risk with Oxfam that you're miles out on some weird shift.

 

Is there a clear winner or shall I flip a coin...

 

I have done both once and would do either again.  I would find it very hard to pick between them but standouts for me would be.

 

Pluses for Oxfam

 

Can arrive on site on the Monday (Avalon is Tuesday)

 

Work is easier, although the shifts can drag if not busy.

 

Slightly higher chance of shifts outside main festival music periods.

 

Better organised ability to bring a car and park closely, Avalon was not as well organised although you still bring a car if you car share/ask nicely. 

 

Pluses for Avalon

 

Campsite is in a far better location

 

Work is far more interesting and goes quicker, you are working in the middle of the festival.  It is harder though.

 

Subsidised booze for sale

 

Felt a bit more laid back than Oxfam which had a real charity type feel, difficult to quantify.

 

As I said, I would happily do either again.  The Monday arrival might just be the Oxfam clincher for me but if that didn't bother me would do Avalon. 

 

Hope that helps!

 

[spirit.sky]

Has anyone done the recycling centre shifts before? 

What can I expect?