Volunteering 2025

[RandomBunny]

On 14/03/2025 at 13:16, 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)? 

 

I'm just reading the WaterAid volunteering info and at one point it says "I understand that I have to provide my own tent and camping equipment and that camping space is limited. I agree to bring a small one or two person tent or share with others." So I guess that answers your question about tent!

[A Particular Grey Chihuahu]

I feel like I need to get into the volunteering side of things just to avoid the stress of ticket day.

[stuie]

1 hour ago, A Particular Grey Chihuahu said:

I feel like I need to get into the volunteering side of things just to avoid the stress of ticket day.

Not gonna lie, it’s pretty nice not having to worry about ticket day, knowing you have a way in. 
 

That said, I still don’t avoid the stress of ticket day as I always still try for friends.  On years when I’ve been successful for them they always see me right and reward me for my endeavours with drinks and tings 😂 

 

Got coach tickets for friends couple of years back and I was given a very nice bar of special chocolate when they arrived on the Wednesday 👍

[CharlotteB]

12 hours ago, SPW said:

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. 

 

No, definitely don't want the bed sticking out of the tent door 😅

[westholtschic]

Got selected for a new team yesterday after leaving FMS.

So excited to be on a new team.

[dogeggs]

11 hours ago, A Particular Grey Chihuahu said:

I feel like I need to get into the volunteering side of things just to avoid the stress of ticket day.

Volunteering is certainly less stressful, but never stress-free. There are always the ‘what-if’ scenarios to fret over, so it’s never easy sitting it out through ticket day, especially as volunteer places aren’t usually up for grabs until the following Feb/March. 

 

[Crazyfool01]

1 hour ago, westholtschic said:

Got selected for a new team yesterday after leaving FMS.

So excited to be on a new team.

nice can you elaborate as too who ? 

[westholtschic]

1 hour ago, Crazyfool01 said:

nice can you elaborate as too who ? 

Have messaged you 

[dumbsaints]

Regarding tent sizes, we arrived to Oxfam camp in the afternoon on Monday and were already struggling to find space. On Tuesday people were walking around for hours trying to fit their tent in.

 

Meanwhile saw 4-5 man tents near us with one person in them 😕

 

Please be considerate when choosing your tent size!

 

Edited March 16, 2025 by dumbsaints

[SPW]

2 hours ago, dogeggs said:

Volunteering is certainly less stressful, but never stress-free. There are always the ‘what-if’ scenarios to fret over, so it’s never easy sitting it out through ticket day, especially as volunteer places aren’t usually up for grabs until the following Feb/March. 

 

Yeah - this will be my first time volunteering and it was nice to be at least in the mix after failing this time in the general sale (volunteering was actually my first preference but my wife/friends were only in the mix for the general sale).  But the timings mean it's difficult to judge and volunteering means me going without them. And, of course/rightly, volunteering requires wider commitment to get a place. 

Edited March 16, 2025 by SPW

[A Particular Grey Chihuahu]

3 hours ago, dogeggs said:

Volunteering is certainly less stressful, but never stress-free. There are always the ‘what-if’ scenarios to fret over, so it’s never easy sitting it out through ticket day, especially as volunteer places aren’t usually up for grabs until the following Feb/March. 

 

 

I suppose it gets easier when you've got a few years of service under your belt?

[astrowerks]

Am hoping that the noisy pricks near us last year in Oxfam fields had no joy this year. Selfish arseholes coming back battered each night and loudly talking for hours outside their tents. Totally ignored being told to shut up. 

[giantkatestacks]

1 minute ago, e_p said:

Am hoping that the noisy pricks near us last year in Oxfam fields had no joy this year. Selfish arseholes coming back battered each night and loudly talking for hours outside their tents. Totally ignored being told to shut up. 

It happens in all the workers fields. Everyones on different shifts. It used to enrage me, now i take builders ear protection. Glamorous i know.

[Talcroft]

11 hours ago, e_p said:

Am hoping that the noisy pricks near us last year in Oxfam fields had no joy this year. Selfish arseholes coming back battered each night and loudly talking for hours outside their tents. Totally ignored being told to shut up. 

 

Genuinely don't know if this is better or worse than the Avalon field being directly behind Iicon and trying to sleep through that every night. At least Iicon is repetitive, continuous noise that you can block out rather than the ups and downs of conversations and giggles!

[efcfanwirral]

On 15/03/2025 at 20:24, A Particular Grey Chihuahu said:

I feel like I need to get into the volunteering side of things just to avoid the stress of ticket day.

I'll never drop the ticket day attempts, so the stress remains! 

[CharlotteB]

23 hours ago, A Particular Grey Chihuahu said:

 

I suppose it gets easier when you've got a few years of service under your belt?

 

It does, certainly with the Recycling Crew. If you do a few in a row you're pretty much home and dry as long as you keep your nose clean.

[tarw]

Just had confirmation of my place. 😁😁

[stuie]

6 hours ago, CharlotteB said:

as long as you keep your nose clean.

 

easier said than done at Glastonbury! 😂

[A Particular Grey Chihuahu]

6 hours ago, CharlotteB said:

 

It does, certainly with the Recycling Crew. If you do a few in a row you're pretty much home and dry as long as you keep your nose clean.

 

3 minutes ago, stuie said:

 

easier said than done at Glastonbury! 😂

 

I question the "dry" bit too 😅

 

Good to know 

[CharlotteB]

You meet such a varied, interesting bunch of people too. Well worth it.

[goldfishboy]

honestly i was sceptical first time around because i thought missing so much of the festival would be too much of a shame. but in reality it is really nice to feel like you're contributing to the festival, and it makes your 'off time' that much more special. and when you roll in all the little perks like the quiet campsite, hot showers and no ticket day stress, it actually becomes a very appealing option.

[SPW]

3 hours ago, goldfishboy said:

honestly i was sceptical first time around because i thought missing so much of the festival would be too much of a shame. but in reality it is really nice to feel like you're contributing to the festival, and it makes your 'off time' that much more special. and when you roll in all the little perks like the quiet campsite, hot showers and no ticket day stress, it actually becomes a very appealing option.

This is nice to hear and reflects my current feeling ahead of volunteering for the first time - especially as I feel a double whammy of contributing (as others did for me as a punter) and doing so with an org that I already volunteer with aside from festivals, so obviously strongly believe in etc.  I am reconciled (kind of!) to missing stuff I'd be really keen to see but that being offset by experiencing it all from a different perspective. Am prob as excited for experiencing some new bars as much as anything (a friend worked at John Peel/Woodsies for many years and was envious of their love for the bar there....).  Am also a bit giddy for being on site on the Tues and seeing the transition on the Weds rather than be part of that scramble.....

[Aragorn]

Think my fave perk is being onsite Sunday night and spending Monday/ Tuesday in the crew bars lol

[sedra]

1 hour ago, Aragorn said:

Think my fave perk is being onsite Sunday night and spending Monday/ Tuesday in the crew bars lol

Yeah I really enjoyed Tuesday night last year - it felt a bit like Weds nights used to years and years ago waiting for everyone else to arrive, not too busy but lots of stalls open for food, but drinks in crew bars instead!  

[MrZigster]

Have any Avaloners heard anything about whether they've been allocated any car parking this year?

 

I just can't do the "get to Bristol for the morning and then have to traverse the whole site with your gear" malarkey any more.

 

Emailed them a week ago and they haven't got back to me and it's cut off day for deposits tomorrow.

 

Guessing I might have got lucky last year.