Volunteering 2025

[balti-pie]

First off, come to the Efests staff/crew meetup on the monday night!

i'd recommend to get there as early as you can, so you can tent up (im 100% sure there wont be any restrictions on tent sizes, after all you're there for a week and need a bit of room) and have a good look round before the site opens to everyone on the wednesday. Its quiet on the monday, the tuesday sees a lot more stalls up and running. 

Id really recommend ensuring your sleeping arrangements are really comfy - i want my rest to be really recuperative, so SIM and foam topper, proper duvet, actual pillows, and a 'no outdoor clothing' rule in the tent inner - anything even vaguely muddy and wet stays strictly in the porch. protect the integrity of the bed area! 

 

[dondo]

10 minutes ago, SPW said:

So have been offered a volunteering place with WaterAid that am obviously delighted with (especially as it's an org that I volunteer with aside from festivals so there is a passion for them as well as Glastonbury), albeit it comes with a little trepidation as know as an old git (mid 50s) it will mean a v.different Glastonbury for me relative to being a regular punter as I was last year. Not least means going on my own rather than with my wife which feels a bit strange  as was something we enjoyed together (albeit I know others who will be on site and will meet up with them at points over the week).  Plus obviously means time is not my own but am less concerned with that tbh as offset by my anticipation of early access and being part of the festival so to speak (and any fomo is kind of irrelevant if I wouldn't be on site otherwise).

 

Any general tips, perspectives?  Crew camping etiquette (e.g. will I be okay with our existing 3/4 person tent and not get froened upon; crew bars good/friendly)?  I am pretty sociable/talk to anyone (indeed it's one of my favourite aspects of Glastonbury so assume volunteering is the same ethos/culture)? 

Great to hear you've got a spot.

 

Whilst I've not volunteered with Wateraid only recycling I would imagine similar applies.

 

1) I think you'll be fine with your tent. I know the Wateraid field moved last year to outside the fence so others may know better. 

 

2) Etiquette if same as recycling is not being too noisy late on as folk are often up early for shifts. 

 

3) Crew bars are great and sociable so am sure you will be fine. 

[Johnnyseven]

12 minutes ago, SPW said:

So have been offered a volunteering place with WaterAid that am obviously delighted with (especially as it's an org that I volunteer with aside from festivals so there is a passion for them as well as Glastonbury), albeit it comes with a little trepidation as know as an old git (mid 50s) it will mean a v.different Glastonbury for me relative to being a regular punter as I was last year. Not least means going on my own rather than with my wife which feels a bit strange  as was something we enjoyed together (albeit I know others who will be on site and will meet up with them at points over the week).  Plus obviously means time is not my own but am less concerned with that tbh as offset by my anticipation of early access and being part of the festival so to speak (and any fomo is kind of irrelevant if I wouldn't be on site otherwise).

 

Any general tips, perspectives?  Crew camping etiquette (e.g. will I be okay with our existing 3/4 person tent and not get froened upon; crew bars good/friendly)?  I am pretty sociable/talk to anyone (indeed it's one of my favourite aspects of Glastonbury so assume volunteering is the same ethos/culture)? 

 

When i walked past the Wateraid campsite in 2023 the tents were quite rammed in together. I believe they have moved now to near the Oxfam field but when I did Oxfam the field was similarly packed and late comers were having difficulty finding space. What i'm trying to say is be sensible on your tent size, if your tent is huge and there's only you in it consider bringing a smaller one.

[dotdash79]

Rejected for wateraid 😭

[LCR]

Also rejected for Wateraid. I managed to get Oxfam last year but not this year. Rejected for Greenpeace too and supposedly on the wait list for Avalon.

 

Any other tips? I loved volunteering last year

[Johnnyseven]

I'm guessing Wateraid are also sending emails confirming rejection?

[pie_and_a_pint]

2 hours ago, Skip997 said:

0630 is a dreadful start time 

Morning litterpickers start at 6am... 

 

Sleep is for losers when you get home 🙂

[LCR]

Yes Wateraid is sending rejection emails

 

[Johnnyseven]

2 minutes ago, LCR said:

Yes Wateraid is sending rejection emails

 

 

That's jolly nice of them. Not heard anything yet so fingers crossed.

[Johnnyseven]

1 hour ago, Johnnyseven said:

 

That's jolly nice of them. Not heard anything yet so fingers crossed.

 

I spoke too soon, rejected too.

[LCR]

Oh no! Had you volunteered with them before?

[Johnnyseven]

2 minutes ago, LCR said:

Oh no! Had you volunteered with them before?

 

No I haven't, only with Oxfam previously. I raised a few hundred quid for Wateraid in Sept 2023 doing a 6 mile swim, which I thought might be in my favour, but obviously not. 

Edited March 14, 2025 by Johnnyseven

[CaledonianGonzo]

I will not be cleansing longdrops this year.

[RandomBunny]

I got a WaterAid spot! Am thrilled!

My support for the charity over the years has paid off. 

 

Sad for all those who didn't manage though. None of my other friends got an offer. 

This will be my first time volunteering at the festival. I've been many times, so this is going to be quite a different experience. Can't wait! 

[Funkyfairy!]

23 hours ago, fred quimby said:

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

 

Monday night beers at Tow and Hitch Ahoy

Great news Mr Quimby - see you in the T&H again Monday evening 🙂 

[giantkatestacks]

18 minutes ago, CaledonianGonzo said:

I will not be cleansing longdrops this year.

I thought you were doing Oxfam for some reason?

[CharlotteB]

Happy for all the people getting accepted and gutted for the ones who are struggling. Gutwrenching, isn't it?

[faymondo]

No luck for Wateraid. Let's get buying that cider then 🤪

[SPW]

19 hours ago, Johnnyseven said:

 

When i walked past the Wateraid campsite in 2023 the tents were quite rammed in together. I believe they have moved now to near the Oxfam field but when I did Oxfam the field was similarly packed and late comers were having difficulty finding space. What i'm trying to say is be sensible on your tent size, if your tent is huge and there's only you in it consider bringing a smaller one.

Thanks, think I will buy a smaller one as am a bit self conscious, plus no need to take more space than needed etc. Looking at the Decathlon F&B tents that get good reviews can get a reasonable (normal poled) one for around £100. I don't mind paying more but as a 2nd tent would ideally limit the cost.......

[clasher]

3 minutes ago, SPW said:

Thanks, think I will buy a smaller one as am a bit self conscious, plus no need to take more space than needed etc. Looking at the Decathlon F&B tents that get good reviews can get a reasonable (normal poled) one for around £100. I don't mind paying more but as a 2nd tent would ideally limit the cost.......

 

The porch bit on the 3 man XL version of F&B is well worth the extra ~20 quid.

[SPW]

15 minutes ago, clasher said:

 

The porch bit on the 3 man XL version of F&B is well worth the extra ~20 quid.

Yeah was looking at that exact one. Porch key for me (would prefer something a bit taller but that one looks grand).  From reviews the F&B seems highly rated so I may give it a go (have been a bit dismissive of it previously).  Coleman equivalents are more than dble the cost and have lots of over heating grumbles in reviews.

 

P.s. sorry all for the detour into tent indecision, pleased for those who got slots and sorry for those who didn't and hope you find a cancellation and/or the resale is kind.

[CharlotteB]

Just bought some comfortable, stretchy walking trousers that will be perfect for working in. It's a beautiful sunny day and it feels like I should be setting off for the festival tomorrow 🥰

[SPW]

11 minutes ago, CharlotteB said:

Just bought some comfortable, stretchy walking trousers that will be perfect for working in. It's a beautiful sunny day and it feels like I should be setting off for the festival tomorrow 🥰

I hadn't dare assume until places confirmed, so gonna have a quick look in the shed now to stock take on what came back intact last year (as a normal punter) and measure up my bed etc. to dble check for the new (smaller!) tent. Getting ahead of myself a bit but nice to be able to plan now spring is in the air, as you say. 

[clasher]

7 hours ago, SPW said:

Yeah was looking at that exact one. Porch key for me (would prefer something a bit taller but that one looks grand).  From reviews the F&B seems highly rated so I may give it a go (have been a bit dismissive of it previously).  Coleman equivalents are more than dble the cost and have lots of over heating grumbles in reviews.

 

P.s. sorry all for the detour into tent indecision, pleased for those who got slots and sorry for those who didn't and hope you find a cancellation and/or the resale is kind.

 

Go for it. F&B is a true game changer for summer heat. Taller would be great, but sadly you can't have reasonably small and tall.

[SPW]

1 hour ago, clasher said:

 

Go for it. F&B is a true game changer for summer heat. Taller would be great, but sadly you can't have reasonably small and tall.

Yeah 100% re small/tall.  Anyhows, ordered and, as a pretty light sleeper, aside from the size that prompted me to lookn in the first place the blackout/heat element won me over given that I will be volunteering this yr and prob need more than just dozing in Strummerville as a means of recovery this year!