Volunteering 2025

[Leyrulion]

2 hours ago, Paul ™ said:

They shouldn't have those roles anyway

Did we ever work out which crew they'd taken over from?

[MrZigster]

8 hours ago, nowayin said:

Does anyone know what grounds My Cause use to accept / reject people. Very annoying after taking £380 from my account. Why not just allow deposits for the amount of spaces available? 

 

 

That does feel like the wrong way around to do things.

[faymondo]

9 hours ago, nowayin said:

Does anyone know what grounds My Cause use to accept / reject people. Very annoying after taking £380 from my account. Why not just allow deposits for the amount of spaces available? 

 

Similar type scenario for me and Mrs Fay. When did you pay your deposit was it Wednesday or Friday ? 

[sedra]

On 10/04/2025 at 20:29, Leyrulion said:

Did we ever work out which crew they'd taken over from?

Believe it was Festaff

[Paul ™]

28 minutes ago, sedra said:

Believe it was Festaff

Pretty sure they only do wristbanding at the public gates, or used to anyway.

[Old_Johno]

Refresh west bars went live today if anyone is still looking.

 

paid and volunteering positions. 

[StoneCircle]

1 hour ago, Old_Johno said:

Refresh west bars went live today if anyone is still looking.

 

paid and volunteering positions. 

 

@MrZigster In case you need it!  🧚‍♀️🪄

[faymondo]

2 hours ago, Old_Johno said:

Refresh west bars went live today if anyone is still looking.

 

paid and volunteering positions. 

 

I have plenty of bar experience, just not behind it. States needs 3 months solid bar experience 😔

[mandana]

I have recently been accepted to volunteer with Critical Waste for the first time, I am absolutely stoked! 

I will be doing post festival shifts which I think will be highly challenging, but I am sooo looking forward to it. I have been a complete nag about recycling and litter for many years already! 😝

 

I am also considering applying for access (which I usually use when going to glastonbury - stay in spring ground etc) but not sure if it will be better to head straight to Toms field, I doubt usual PA can stay after the festival. I am going to read through this topic in further detail, but might ask some questions for some of the critical waste crew who have been doing this for ages if thats alright, be great to hear from you.

 

[dondo]

45 minutes ago, mandana said:

I have recently been accepted to volunteer with Critical Waste for the first time, I am absolutely stoked! 

I will be doing post festival shifts which I think will be highly challenging, but I am sooo looking forward to it. I have been a complete nag about recycling and litter for many years already! 😝

 

I am also considering applying for access (which I usually use when going to glastonbury - stay in spring ground etc) but not sure if it will be better to head straight to Toms field, I doubt usual PA can stay after the festival. I am going to read through this topic in further detail, but might ask some questions for some of the critical waste crew who have been doing this for ages if thats alright, be great to hear from you.

 

Well done on getting a spot

 

This year will be my 10th on recycling crew so feel free to ask away. I don't have any experience of accessibility on the crew though but have found the team very responsive on email. Also if you are on Facebook there is a recycling crew page on there. 

[Mark E. Spliff]

53 minutes ago, mandana said:

...I am also considering applying for access (which I usually use when going to glastonbury - stay in spring ground etc) but not sure if it will be better to head straight to Toms field, I doubt usual PA can stay after the festival...

 

 

My team have shared a link with us to the site-wide Crew Access scheme, which appears to just be crew access to the same range of accessible facilities offered to ticket-holders.   I haven't got any experience of using it, but the website includes a link to the info sheet on the 'access card' scheme, which includes 'essential companion.'  As this is being offered to crew, and there's no mention of any of the facilities being restricted to ticket-holders only, I'd say it was a safe bet that your PA could stay after the festival.  Plus, my experience has been that staying after the festival has never been a problem if you want to do it - it's getting there early that's the big deal, so that's what you need to confirm.

 

The link to the crew application form doesn't come up on a Google search, and we've been given strict orders not to share any links emailed to us, so I won't share it on here.  However, the email address for the crew access team is shown on the GF website:  [email protected]     So your best bet is to either email them or Critical Waste.

[mandana]

1 hour ago, dondo said:

Well done on getting a spot

 

This year will be my 10th on recycling crew so feel free to ask away. I don't have any experience of accessibility on the crew though but have found the team very responsive on email. Also if you are on Facebook there is a recycling crew page on there. 

Thanks so much dondo, really appreciate it - I had forgotted about the facebook group so just asked to join - will have a rummage on there 🙂

[mandana]

30 minutes ago, Mark E. Spliff said:

 

My team have shared a link with us to the site-wide Crew Access scheme, which appears to just be crew access to the same range of accessible facilities offered to ticket-holders.   I haven't got any experience of using it, but the website includes a link to the info sheet on the 'access card' scheme, which includes 'essential companion.'  As this is being offered to crew, and there's no mention of any of the facilities being restricted to ticket-holders only, I'd say it was a safe bet that your PA could stay after the festival.  Plus, my experience has been that staying after the festival has never been a problem if you want to do it - it's getting there early that's the big deal, so that's what you need to confirm.

 

The link to the crew application form doesn't come up on a Google search, and we've been given strict orders not to share any links emailed to us, so I won't share it on here.  However, the email address for the crew access team is shown on the GF website:  [email protected]     So your best bet is to either email them or Critical Waste.

Thanks so much Mark E Spliff, really appreciate it and I think I will register, use spring ground first then move to Toms Field prior to shifts starting. Yes had a quick look through Crew Access form although it kicked me off a few times before I got to the end, looks like they would require PA to stay for all shifts (M-F after the festival) which the PA cannot commit to. I might not need lots of help when working. Will research more and contact them as needed. Thanks!

[Glastograndad01]

On 13/03/2025 at 20:03, dondo said:

Recycling Crew check your emails as looks like shifts coming through 

Just for future reference, how do you get on the recycling crew. As my wife tells me I had an insane passion for it  😀

[dondo]

46 minutes ago, Glastograndad01 said:

Just for future reference, how do you get on the recycling crew. As my wife tells me I had an insane passion for it  😀

Couple of routes generally:

 

1) direct with the festival/critical waste but you have to be recommended. 

 

2) via a charity but am not sure of process for applying for the various charities that do it

[Aragorn]

5 hours ago, mandana said:

Thanks so much Mark E Spliff, really appreciate it and I think I will register, use spring ground first then move to Toms Field prior to shifts starting. Yes had a quick look through Crew Access form although it kicked me off a few times before I got to the end, looks like they would require PA to stay for all shifts (M-F after the festival) which the PA cannot commit to. I might not need lots of help when working. Will research more and contact them as needed. Thanks!

 

I did post festival shifts the first time I worked for critical waste. 

 

It was fabulous and I met some top people 2 of which I'm working again with this year.

 

You get breakfast every morning and a packed lunch and there is dinner available. 

 

The party continues at Tom's bar each night with all the alcohol you find in the fields afterwards lol

 

Be careful what you pick up and how, there's some pretty grim people out there.

 

I found alot of drugs aswell think your advised to hand them to a supervisor but cannot quite remember.

 

It's alot of walking across much of the site and going back over ground you've already covered but I found it satisfying seeing completely clean fields afterwards.

[giantkatestacks]

15 hours ago, dondo said:

Couple of routes generally:

 

1) direct with the festival/critical waste but you have to be recommended. 

 

2) via a charity but am not sure of process for applying for the various charities that do it

For our charity you have to be recommended as well.

[mandana]

Thanks so much @dondo, @Mark E. Spliff & @Aragorn really appreciate your insight so far!

I've not gained access to FB group yet but look forward to getting more info there. Just wondering these few things -

• Do you meet somewhere at Tom's Field to start your shift, and then go out to where you are allocated? I have a terrible sense of direction, so I have my fingers crossed for this..
• Are there any items that make a real difference to the job? I already have good boots that I use at festivals, looking to get some work trousers too - are kneepads worth a punt? Any other little gems that you have found useful?
• Will you be with the same supervisor/team each day? (I have pretty bad hearing loss but I have hearing aids and am good at lipreading - I get better once I get used to how the person speaks too).
• I heard about all the cans and substances people find after the festival - I am sure there will be some surprises! I don't drink - will have to set up a bartering system with others who do 🙂
• Anyone tracked your steps after a usual day on shift?  I am a fitter than I used to be but I know there will a lot of ground to cover

Thanks, and hopfully cross paths in the fields

 

[dondo]

33 minutes ago, mandana said:

Thanks so much @dondo, @Mark E. Spliff & @Aragorn really appreciate your insight so far!

I've not gained access to FB group yet but look forward to getting more info there. Just wondering these few things -

• Do you meet somewhere at Tom's Field to start your shift, and then go out to where you are allocated? I have a terrible sense of direction, so I have my fingers crossed for this..
• Are there any items that make a real difference to the job? I already have good boots that I use at festivals, looking to get some work trousers too - are kneepads worth a punt? Any other little gems that you have found useful?
• Will you be with the same supervisor/team each day? (I have pretty bad hearing loss but I have hearing aids and am good at lipreading - I get better once I get used to how the person speaks too).
• I heard about all the cans and substances people find after the festival - I am sure there will be some surprises! I don't drink - will have to set up a bartering system with others who do 🙂
• Anyone tracked your steps after a usual day on shift?  I am a fitter than I used to be but I know there will a lot of ground to cover

Thanks, and hopfully cross paths in the fields

 

Hi there 

 

In answer to some of your questions 

 

1) It varies from team to team where you start but as I've never done after festival not sure exactly what happens. Unless you are on recycling centre or tractor crew both of which start and finish at the recycling centre at the top of muddy lane. 

 

2) You should have the same team leader. 

 

3) I would take a small rucksack with snacks, water, hand sanitiser and suntan lotion. I think if you are clearing the site you'll also need to take lunch with you (you get vouchers at the end of each shift).

 

And finally if you are on site the Monday before the festival we do have an efests crew meet up. 

[mandana]

2 hours ago, dondo said:

Hi there 

 

In answer to some of your questions 

 

1) It varies from team to team where you start but as I've never done after festival not sure exactly what happens. Unless you are on recycling centre or tractor crew both of which start and finish at the recycling centre at the top of muddy lane. 

 

2) You should have the same team leader. 

 

3) I would take a small rucksack with snacks, water, hand sanitiser and suntan lotion. I think if you are clearing the site you'll also need to take lunch with you (you get vouchers at the end of each shift).

 

And finally if you are on site the Monday before the festival we do have an efests crew meet up. 

Thanks again dondo, this all sounds good. Unfortunately I don't think work would let me take the whole 2 weeks so might be there on wednesday. Shame though as would really like to make it to a meet up.

[dondo]

1 hour ago, mandana said:

Thanks again dondo, this all sounds good. Unfortunately I don't think work would let me take the whole 2 weeks so might be there on wednesday. Shame though as would really like to make it to a meet up.

No worries 

 

There is the full efests meet on the Wednesday as well 

[Aragorn]

When i did after festival.

 

Yes, you meet at Toms Field by the cabin where you visit when you first arrive.

 

Lunch was delivered to us in the fields, I think you can let them know dietary requirements before hand.

 

I had the same team leader each day. 

 

Whilst they advise dont bring those litter picker utensils loads of people do.

 

Steps wise expect a minimum of 10,000 if i remember rightly we covered more than that easily each day.

 

As the week goes on pay attention to where the nearest toilets are. They start disappearing. If you see some use them.

 

Finally, look after your back, its high intensity work with alot of bending down, bend down the right way using your knees so you dont smash it in.

 

 

 

[mandana]

4 hours ago, Aragorn said:

As the week goes on pay attention to where the nearest toilets are. They start disappearing. If you see some use them.

 

All great info, but this is excellent intel, thank you Aragorn, will certainly prep for that. Good to know about Toms cabin as a meet point.

 

Yeah I have a bit of a dodgy back, but have been to physio and doing the exercises - am going to see her again soon to try and prep for more strength. I was thinking of bringing a folding litter picker, but also aware they prefer you not to bring them so will decide later.

 

Thanks again!

 

[fred quimby]

On 19/04/2025 at 20:20, Aragorn said:

 

 

 

I found alot of drugs aswell think your advised to hand them to a supervisor but cannot quite remember.

 

 

😆

[mikeydredlox]

I've done the post festival clean up twice, doing it again this year. It's great fun, hard work but manageable as you get a lot of breaks. It's fascinating to watch the site slowly disappear around you as well.

 

Don't worry about litter pickers, plenty of people use them (myself included) and none of the organisers mind. They can actually be really useful for reaching difficult places that are out of reach of an outstretched arm. My back is always knackered by the end of the festival so would struggle to manage without one. Just make sure you buy one that is robust, some people go for the cheapo ones and they usually die half way through day one!