Volunteering 2025

[JackP1994]

20 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.

I was in the same boat last year and completely agree. We arrived Monday evening last year and this time will be booking Monday off to get down there even earlier. The way I see it is those extra 2 days on the farm more than makes up for the 24 hours worth of shifts (Oxfam).
 

Its a privilege being there for a week and it’s pretty cool getting to see everything before the punters arrive.

[stuie]

Does anyone have any info on Oxfam training changes for this year yet? 

[philipsteak]

1 hour ago, stuie said:

Does anyone have any info on Oxfam training changes for this year yet? 

 

Are we all gonna have to do it regardless of whether you're up to date?

[Jerman72]

I saw you can Volunteer at "No Music on a Dead Planet"

 

https://www.musicdeclares.net/gb/no-music-on-a-dead-planet

 

For Brockwell Park (Mighty Hoopla/Field Day/Wideawake) you work 4 hours during 11am-7pm and then after free to watch evening headliners. 

 

Will be doing more festivals during summer

Edited March 26, 2025 by Jerman72

[stuie]

1 hour ago, philipsteak said:

 

Are we all gonna have to do it regardless of whether you're up to date?

It seems so… mine would have been in date but my profile says ‘training is changing this year’ instead of ‘you don’t need training’ which I think it normally says. 
 

I think I remember reading about additional training for supervisors too? 

[Pinhead]

29 minutes ago, stuie said:

It seems so… mine would have been in date but my profile says ‘training is changing this year’ instead of ‘you don’t need training’ which I think it normally says. 
 

I think I remember reading about additional training for supervisors too? 

Same here but since it's not identified whats changing and for who yet, I'll not guess. Bit of a ball ache tho if we have to do it all again earlier however. Maybe it's due to law changes or reducing induction time if it is.

[Skip997]

1 hour ago, stuie said:

It seems so… mine would have been in date but my profile says ‘training is changing this year’ instead of ‘you don’t need training’ which I think it normally says. 
 

I think I remember reading about additional training for supervisors too? 

As far as know our training is the same as yours and my profile says “you don’t need training” or words to that effect 

[Leyrulion]

5 hours ago, stuie said:

Does anyone have any info on Oxfam training changes for this year yet? 

I seem to remember them saying you were going to be able to do it in your own time. I've assumed from that it'll be a self study module similar to those workplace ones you often have to do. 

 

If it is I could see them asking people to do it every year, probably no extra cost compared to the old system and they can ensure volunteers are up to speed every year. 

 

And if it's anything like my work ones once you've done it once you can just speed run it in subsequent years. E.g. "takes two hours" means 20 minutes. 

[philipsteak]

1 hour ago, stuie said:

It seems so… mine would have been in date but my profile says ‘training is changing this year’ instead of ‘you don’t need training’ which I think it normally says. 
 

I think I remember reading about additional training for supervisors too? 

 

Ah yes, I remember now. 

Dammit

Still, it gets all my group in sync now I suppose so the ones who don't have to do it any year don't get to feel smug.

[philipsteak]

1 minute ago, Leyrulion said:

I seem to remember them saying you were going to be able to do it in your own time. I've assumed from that it'll be a self study module similar to those workplace ones you often have to do. 

 

If it is I could see them asking people to do it every year, probably no extra cost compared to the old system and they can ensure volunteers are up to speed every year. 

 

And if it's anything like my work ones once you've done it once you can just speed run it in subsequent years. E.g. "takes two hours" means 20 minutes. 

 

If it's anything like the ones I have to do at work I retain pretty much nothing from them.

[stuie]

Thanks all.. 

 

@philipsteak @Leyrulion @Pinhead I've just asked on the facebook group too, so might prompt a response from the office. I'll let you know if so. 

 

 

I used to like the in person training sessions to be honest, but Zoom/Teams is the way of the world these days! 

 

@Skip997 thanks, I think our Glasto specific bit is the same as yours but we also have a more general training.  Previously we've had to complete that either online or in person every 4 years, though since Covid it's become online only. 

[stuie]

43 minutes ago, philipsteak said:

 

If it's anything like the ones I have to do at work I retain pretty much nothing from them.

 

It's more that there's not much in them that you don't already know as some of it's common sense, general knowledge and the rest you have experience of already and don't really forget every 4 years! 

[Pinhead]

I was actually pictured in the last training - me and my mate Paul at Bearded!

[CharlotteB]

I'm looking forward to that new construction site training from last year 😂 

[midlifecrisis]

I keep meaning to ask. When you arrive can you pitch your tent first then go and get your wristbands, shifts, tabard etc, or do you have to get wristbands to get into the Oxfield? I've seen pictures of a shipping container that looks like a ticket office but wasn't sure if that was for Oxfam Volunteers? And do you get any sort of ticket or is it just an email confirmation for entry and parking?

[philipsteak]

48 minutes ago, midlifecrisis said:

I keep meaning to ask. When you arrive can you pitch your tent first then go and get your wristbands, shifts, tabard etc, or do you have to get wristbands to get into the Oxfield? I've seen pictures of a shipping container that looks like a ticket office but wasn't sure if that was for Oxfam Volunteers? And do you get any sort of ticket or is it just an email confirmation for entry and parking?

Pitch your tent first, then go and get registered and get everything you need including wristband, all in the oxfield.

The was one year (2018 ish maybe?)we had to go to gate b to get our wristbands but that reverted back to the oxfield and had been ever since so i'd assume it'll be the same again but you never know.

[oakdown]

3 hours ago, midlifecrisis said:

I keep meaning to ask. When you arrive can you pitch your tent first then go and get your wristbands, shifts, tabard etc, or do you have to get wristbands to get into the Oxfield? I've seen pictures of a shipping container that looks like a ticket office but wasn't sure if that was for Oxfam Volunteers? And do you get any sort of ticket or is it just an email confirmation for entry and parking?

The car park exits directly into the Oxfield, and since it's outside the perimeter you only need your wristband for entering the festival proper. 

 

Only ever taken the shuttle bus so can't speak on parking passes but onsite almost everything you need is in a big tent in the Oxfield (assuming nothing's changed). There's a few lines sorted by surname and once you're in you get a poly pocket with your shifts, handbook, food and shower tokens, tabard and ID, briefing time, plus a program and a map. You then have to go to the Oxbox next door to get your wristband.

 

My usual routine is to beeline for a decent spot, pitch up and then settle in for a beer and a read of the program while I wait for the Oxbox queue to subside.

[Crazyfool01]

8 minutes ago, oakdown said:

There's a few lines sorted by surname

didnt realise this was an oxfam benefit 🙂 

[bob323]

19 minutes ago, oakdown said:

The car park exits directly into the Oxfield, and since it's outside the perimeter you only need your wristband for entering the festival proper. 

 

Only ever taken the shuttle bus so can't speak on parking passes but onsite almost everything you need is in a big tent in the Oxfield (assuming nothing's changed). There's a few lines sorted by surname and once you're in you get a poly pocket with your shifts, handbook, food and shower tokens, tabard and ID, briefing time, plus a program and a map. You then have to go to the Oxbox next door to get your wristband.

 

My usual routine is to beeline for a decent spot, pitch up and then settle in for a beer and a read of the program while I wait for the Oxbox queue to subside.

I wasn't told about this, but I had to show my acceptance email/ id to initially get in to Oxfield, no biggy except I had my phone on charge back in the car

Edited March 28, 2025 by bob323

[oakdown]

8 minutes ago, bob323 said:

I wasn't told about this, but I had to show my acceptance email/ id to initially get in to Oxfield, no biggy except I had my phone on charge back in the car

Ah that makes sense, I feel like it's been different year-on-year with the shuttle. Sometimes I've been asked for the confirmation email but mostly they just ask for name and ID. Imagine it's the same process with the car park.

[spirit.sky]

I've heard there are some good "cut throughs" for people with staff wristbands to avoid queues and to just generally get places quicker.

Is this true? If so where are these and what level of clearance would you need?

[StoneCircle]

29 minutes ago, spirit.sky said:

I've heard there are some good "cut throughs" for people with staff wristbands to avoid queues and to just generally get places quicker.

Is this true? If so where are these and what level of clearance would you need?

 

Officially no, unless you have an extra wristband on top of your staff one, I have heard that some people have managed to do so but usually they are very strict. I guess it depends on the experience and thoroughness of security. The cut throughs are usually for people with hospitality wristbands and those who have been granted the use of them due to Accessible needs, which I qualify for. I have attached an Accessible Map from 2024 which shows them, look for the AR symbols, my favourite one being from Theatre and Circus to the Cabaret field. It saves going via the bottleneck of West Holts. Other Access Map Keys shown on the map such as bus stops are only for people with an Access User Wristband.

 

[incident]

MyCause:

 

Quote

WE'RE GOING TO GLASTONBURY!

It’s happening – for the first time ever, My Cause UK is bringing a team of volunteers to Glastonbury Festival 2025! And what better way to celebrate 10 years of festival volunteering than by stepping onto Worthy Farm with our incredible community? As a My Cause UK volunteer, you’ll be part of something bigger: creating unforgettable memories, supporting vital causes, and showing that festival volunteering can be a powerful force for good  This is huge and we can’t wait to get you on board. We’re so proud to bring this opportunity to our community and can’t wait to see the impact we can make together. This is about music, memories, and making a difference. You're receiving this email because you’re a priority applicant – someone who’s volunteered with us in the past few years. That means you’re getting the inside scoop before we go live to the wider database. Applications open at 11am on Wednesday 2nd April   All of the information on this email is not accessible on the website, as it has been catered especially for you, so make sure you read everything thoroughly. Please ensure that your PAAM profile is up to date and completed with your most current information.

 

[Debani]

I have also received the MyCause email.  I do wonder of some Oxfam volunteers will switch - 4 x 6 hour shifts, no overnights, one of the shifts likely to be on the closing Monday.

 

I think it is great that Oxfam have some competition, hopefully it will encourage Oxfam to up their game.

[Paul ™]

I don't know why Glastonbury seem to change the internal traffic team every year now, no consistency and each time the ££ dropped... Now it's volunteers 😀