Volunteering 2025

[Sundance]

Hi guys, I haven't had any email confirming a place at Avalon or putting me on the waitlist despite having got email confirmation that I was entered into the ballot! I know people had to confirm their places today and that more than likely this means I've slipped through the net somehow, but just wondered if anyone had any advice? I've tried emailing but haven't received any response. TIA!

[JohnEW52]

On 07/03/2025 at 00:14, dotdash79 said:

Wateraid people, next week is when we find out. 
 

 

Bear in mind that offers will start going out next week but not all at once. The process usually takes a little while so be patient.

[amfy]

I’ve done both Avalon Bar work and Oxfam and the thing that sways it in favour of Oxfam for me is travel and the ability to bring a live in vehicle. Having to travel with Avalon and having to camp are the things that mean I wouldn’t do it again. I do like the position of Avalon camping better though - I like coming in through Gate C into Theatre/Circus/Cabaret because you are straight into real Glastonbury.

Oxfam is a bit of a walk to Gate B & a trek un and down a hill into Big Ground really.

both have pretty well equipped campsites so if you are tent camping (& don’t mind going on their coach), Avalon edges it.

 

i worked with Avalon when it was still in partnership with Shelter in The Glade Bar & it was absolute chaos at times. We literally ran out of everything at one point or another, and trying to persuade everyone to have their shorts with ginger beer when we ran out of lemonade and cola for most of Saturday afternoon was a particular lowlight for me! ….but generally it did go fast. I was also able to nip out and have a dance in The Glade on my break.
 

The most interesting shift you can get with Oxfam is a Ped gate - that’s as good as it gets, some shifts are at gates miles from anywhere and are deadly dull. Other festivals with Oxfam are so much more fun than this.

 

 

 

[philipsteak]

On 07/03/2025 at 15:24, rebus said:

 

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!

 

 

I say this as someone who has volunteered for them for years and will continue to do so, but Oxfam are kind of the class nerds of the festival

[philipsteak]

1 hour ago, amfy said:

I’ve done both Avalon Bar work and Oxfam and the thing that sways it in favour of Oxfam for me is travel and the ability to bring a live in vehicle. Having to travel with Avalon and having to camp are the things that mean I wouldn’t do it again. I do like the position of Avalon camping better though - I like coming in through Gate C into Theatre/Circus/Cabaret because you are straight into real Glastonbury.

Oxfam is a bit of a walk to Gate B & a trek un and down a hill into Big Ground really.

both have pretty well equipped campsites so if you are tent camping (& don’t mind going on their coach), Avalon edges it.

 

i worked with Avalon when it was still in partnership with Shelter in The Glade Bar & it was absolute chaos at times. We literally ran out of everything at one point or another, and trying to persuade everyone to have their shorts with ginger beer when we ran out of lemonade and cola for most of Saturday afternoon was a particular lowlight for me! ….but generally it did go fast. I was also able to nip out and have a dance in The Glade on my break.
 

The most interesting shift you can get with Oxfam is a Ped gate - that’s as good as it gets, some shifts are at gates miles from anywhere and are deadly dull. Other festivals with Oxfam are so much more fun than this.

 

 

 

 

So I'm told, but I have an amazing ability to consistently get given the dullest shifts at whatever festival I'm at.

I think I've had one and a half arena/venue based shifts in all the years I've been doing it

[CaledonianGonzo]

How far outside the festival could you be with Oxfam?  Are we talking as far as Pilton or Cannard's Grave?

[incident]

20 minutes ago, CaledonianGonzo said:

How far outside the festival could you be with Oxfam?  Are we talking as far as Pilton or Cannard's Grave?

 

Not to those extremes. If you look at the festival map - Erase everything inside the fence, the Car Parks, and the East CV Fields - just about all Oxfam positions would be in or within a hundred metres of what's left.

[efcfanwirral]

46 minutes ago, CaledonianGonzo said:

How far outside the festival could you be with Oxfam?  Are we talking as far as Pilton or Cannard's Grave?

 

17 minutes ago, incident said:

 

Not to those extremes. If you look at the festival map - Erase everything inside the fence, the Car Parks, and the East CV Fields - just about all Oxfam positions would be in or within a hundred metres of what's left.

If it's the same as last year it's surprisingly close 

[Johnnyseven]

48 minutes ago, CaledonianGonzo said:

How far outside the festival could you be with Oxfam?  Are we talking as far as Pilton or Cannard's Grave?

 

You'll be on a pedestrian or vehicle gate or just outside the fence.

Edited March 8, 2025 by Johnnyseven

[LCR]

I've just had a no from Greenpeace - the email said they'd had over 1000 applications for 70 positions.

 

Fingers and toes crossed now for WaterAid

[Joshsimmondss]

On 06/03/2025 at 12:47, efcfanwirral said:

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

 

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

I am going solo and would want a free Saturday! Seen Charli 20 times so headlining the other stage would be special! Let me know. 

[efcfanwirral]

12 minutes ago, Joshsimmondss said:

I am going solo and would want a free Saturday! Seen Charli 20 times so headlining the other stage would be special! Let me know. 

Brilliant, let's see what happens in the resale then we can coordinate 

[fred quimby]

I am back in with T&C . Email received this week. 

 

Monday night beers at Tow and Hitch Ahoy

Edited March 13, 2025 by fred quimby

[Mgoogs]

Has anyone heard positively from Greenpeace or Wateraid yet? 

[CaledonianGonzo]

Nope

[Skip997]

2 hours ago, fred quimby said:

I am back in with T&C . Email received this week. 

 

Monday night beers at Tow and Hitch Ahoy

Should try and coordinate for that, though a I prefer Maceos 

[dotdash79]

17 minutes ago, Mgoogs said:

Has anyone heard positively from Greenpeace or Wateraid yet? 

Don't think Wateraid have started offering yet

[dondo]

Recycling Crew check your emails as looks like shifts coming through 

[pie_and_a_pint]

40 minutes ago, dondo said:

Recycling Crew check your emails as looks like shifts coming through 

Nice! Got my early mornings on Theatre and Circus again!

[duke88]

1 hour ago, pie_and_a_pint said:

Nice! Got my early mornings on Theatre and Circus again!

That must be a nice area to clean! Got earlies on Pyramid again 😊

[agroovin]

2 hours ago, dondo said:

Recycling Crew check your emails as looks like shifts coming through 

Got my shifts in recycling centre team 2 bring on the juice 😁 I know it’s not for everyone but I love it get right stuck in and the shifts go quick it’s fast paced chatting to people on the line and Andy and his team are always very helpful pallet anyone?😁

[Aragorn]

2 hours ago, dondo said:

Recycling Crew check your emails as looks like shifts coming through 

Well happy with mine, Thurs to Sunday recycling centre 13:00pm to 18:00pm. Can stay out late and have a lie in

[Aragorn]

4 minutes ago, agroovin said:

Got my shifts in recycling centre team 2 bring on the juice 😁 I know it’s not for everyone but I love it get right stuck in and the shifts go quick it’s fast paced chatting to people on the line and Andy and his team are always very helpful pallet anyone?😁

Am recycling 2 aswell 

[CharlotteB]

Got my shifts through this evening. Always a relief.

[Skip997]

5 minutes ago, Aragorn said:

Well happy with mine, Thurs to Sunday recycling centre 13:00pm to 18:00pm. Can stay out late and have a lie in

That’s perfect