Volunteering 2025

[Chris_R]

On 1/9/2025 at 6:47 PM, Skip997 said:

GFEL website not active until February AFAIK

 

Yeah correct - they have a holding page up with a countdown on it until then.

[dondo]

My Recycling Crew email has arrived 🙂

 

Roll on March and finding out what team I'm on. 

[CharlotteB]

3 hours ago, dondo said:

My Recycling Crew email has arrived 🙂

 

Roll on March and finding out what team I'm on. 

 

Nice. You know it's going to be a good year when you pass the h&s quiz first time 👍🏻😊

[Old_Johno]

Avalon bars registration is open

 

looks like they’re doing a ballot again

[Bike_Like_A_Mum]

Hi everyone,

I'm going to try my luck for Oxfam volunteering and just had a couple of questions for the experts:

 

Caravan slots... do they go really quickly to the priority people or do you think there might be some left over?

 

Whats the earliest you can arrive on site?

 

Apologies if these have already been answered...I couldn't pinpoint the right keywords to find anything

 

Thanks a million 😊

[incident]

5 minutes ago, Bike_Like_A_Mum said:

Caravan slots... do they go really quickly to the priority people or do you think there might be some left over?

 

Whats the earliest you can arrive on site?

 

Live-in spots seem to be tightening year on year (as demand has rocketed) so this may end up being different. But previously it's been down to when you request one as part of completing your profile - which previously hasn't been until after places have opened to both priority and general. So priority didn't get an advantage on that. Though again that may change if they feel they're going to run out quickly.

 

Can arrive from Monday morning onwards.

[Martin Ashford]

For those that unfamiliar with Oxfam we are a HUGE number on site - about 2500 all  told in our own secure field with our own facilities. Add a proper stage and it would resemble a complete festival in itself. All tents and camper vans are in the SAME field. Cars are parked in a big field right next door. It is all VERY CONVENIENT and well organised. One really good thing is that the small number of entrances to the Oxfield has 24 hour security checks (Oxfam stewards) Your stuff is safe and secure all week! So the field is not far from Pedestrian Gate  B. You can hear the Pyramid Stage PA very clearly from the field. Unless you are on Shift or in a briefing how you spend your time is entirely up to you. Wanna make mud people all day ? - no problem. Of course, the site is now so gargantuan that walking to some stewarding positions could take forever so there are minibuses to go to the furthest points like Sticklinch and Ped Gate D. They go direct from the Oxfield. 

My only real negative is that the shift times at Glastonbury are very weird indeed. Early shift is crack of dawn stuff finishing about 1pm. Overnight starts well before midnight . Dawn is breaking as you trudge home to camp. This can play havoc with my 66 year old system. I will, hopefully, see you in June.

[Leyrulion]

2 hours ago, Martin Ashford said:

For those that unfamiliar with Oxfam we are a HUGE number on site - about 2500 all  told in our own secure field with our own facilities. Add a proper stage and it would resemble a complete festival in itself. All tents and camper vans are in the SAME field. Cars are parked in a big field right next door. It is all VERY CONVENIENT and well organised. One really good thing is that the small number of entrances to the Oxfield has 24 hour security checks (Oxfam stewards) Your stuff is safe and secure all week! So the field is not far from Pedestrian Gate  B. You can hear the Pyramid Stage PA very clearly from the field. Unless you are on Shift or in a briefing how you spend your time is entirely up to you. Wanna make mud people all day ? - no problem. Of course, the site is now so gargantuan that walking to some stewarding positions could take forever so there are minibuses to go to the furthest points like Sticklinch and Ped Gate D. They go direct from the Oxfield. 

My only real negative is that the shift times at Glastonbury are very weird indeed. Early shift is crack of dawn stuff finishing about 1pm. Overnight starts well before midnight . Dawn is breaking as you trudge home to camp. This can play havoc with my 66 year old system. I will, hopefully, see you in June.

Over night shifts should start well before midnight personally. I think Glasto has it right there doing a 10pm-6am slot. 

Midnight-8am isn't really an "overnight" slot imo. 

 

The mini buses are nice enough but a little bit useless as, unless it's changed, they left the oxfield 45 minutes before your shift started. So not really a time saver but a leg saver of you don't want the walk. 

 

But yeah it's usually a good deal.

[stuie]

Festaff applications for 2025 open on Sat 1st Feb but not for Glastonbury. 

 

Those who successfully completed 2 camping events with them in 2024 will receive an email later this month with application details.  They will then look to fill any remaining places with new applicants. 

 

 

[philipsteak]

On 1/13/2025 at 8:05 PM, Martin Ashford said:

For those that unfamiliar with Oxfam we are a HUGE number on site - about 2500 all  told in our own secure field with our own facilities. Add a proper stage and it would resemble a complete festival in itself. All tents and camper vans are in the SAME field. Cars are parked in a big field right next door. It is all VERY CONVENIENT and well organised. One really good thing is that the small number of entrances to the Oxfield has 24 hour security checks (Oxfam stewards) Your stuff is safe and secure all week! So the field is not far from Pedestrian Gate  B. You can hear the Pyramid Stage PA very clearly from the field. Unless you are on Shift or in a briefing how you spend your time is entirely up to you. Wanna make mud people all day ? - no problem. Of course, the site is now so gargantuan that walking to some stewarding positions could take forever so there are minibuses to go to the furthest points like Sticklinch and Ped Gate D. They go direct from the Oxfield. 

My only real negative is that the shift times at Glastonbury are very weird indeed. Early shift is crack of dawn stuff finishing about 1pm. Overnight starts well before midnight . Dawn is breaking as you trudge home to camp. This can play havoc with my 66 year old system. I will, hopefully, see you in June.

 

The minibus doesn't do Gate D anymore, think it's just Sticklinch/Stickleball and Worthy View (maybe some other tiny obscure ones over that side too?)

I prefer the shift patterns at Glastonbury. I like finishing the overnight while it's still relatively cool, gives you a chance to grab a few hours kip before it gets to hot. The earlies can be tough but my body clock is all over the place anyway

[thewomble]

On 1/13/2025 at 5:02 PM, Bike_Like_A_Mum said:

Hi everyone,

I'm going to try my luck for Oxfam volunteering and just had a couple of questions for the experts:

 

Caravan slots... do they go really quickly to the priority people or do you think there might be some left over?

 

Whats the earliest you can arrive on site?

 

Apologies if these have already been answered...I couldn't pinpoint the right keywords to find anything

 

Thanks a million 😊

Pretty sure the earliest you can arrive is the Monday morning unless you have pre festival shifts for the Saturday/Sunday. Latest you can arrive is Tuesday early evening so that you can make sure your briefing is done in time for shifts starting Wednesday 🙂 

 

Good luck, hope you get a place! I really enjoyed it last year and have raved about it to everyone. Managed to get my place super last minute in the May, so if you don't get through first time and are happy to go a bit last minute definitely worth trying again. 

[gfa]

Hotbox Events have sent me an email saying applications open soon for festivals and says this:

 

List of fests - R&L, Download etc etc

 

Plus, one more festival will be joining our calendar of events in 2025! Keep an eye on our socials for an announcement very soon 👀

 

AFAIK Hotbox is basically an arms length company of Festival Republic - the only fests they offer volunteering for are related to it etc. Given the increased Melvin Benn involvement with glasto, perhaps one to keep an eye on. Its probably nothing but thought it was worth posting 🙂 

[Leyrulion]

7 minutes ago, gfa said:

Hotbox Events have sent me an email saying applications open soon for festivals and says this:

 

List of fests - R&L, Download etc etc

 

Plus, one more festival will be joining our calendar of events in 2025! Keep an eye on our socials for an announcement very soon 👀

 

AFAIK Hotbox is basically an arms length company of Festival Republic - the only fests they offer volunteering for are related to it etc. Given the increased Melvin Benn involvement with glasto, perhaps one to keep an eye on. Its probably nothing but thought it was worth posting 🙂 

There have been hints of stuff about a bit of professionalisation of the volunteer operation behind the scenes. 

 

I doubt it's Glastonbury but would potentially be a great way in if it was. All the stewarding within the site is a very closed shop. 

[efcfanwirral]

9 minutes ago, Leyrulion said:

There have been hints of stuff about a bit of professionalisation of the volunteer operation behind the scenes. 

 

I doubt it's Glastonbury but would potentially be a great way in if it was. All the stewarding within the site is a very closed shop. 

Is that along the lines of scaling back untrained volunteers and getting some properly trained people in place? 

[chuckles07]

21 minutes ago, efcfanwirral said:

Is that along the lines of scaling back untrained volunteers and getting some properly trained people in place? 

If they are going to try that I don’t think it will be with Hotbox.  I have observed them at quite a few festivals over last few years (eg Leeds, Latitude, Wilderness) whilst volunteering with Oxfam and they, Hotbox, are a shambles. Unclear roles, minimal supervision, mainly seems to be wandering around wearing a tabard. However I can imagine it’s an easy way of working at a festival so there are lots of people interested.

[Skip997]

35 minutes ago, efcfanwirral said:

Is that along the lines of scaling back untrained volunteers and getting some properly trained people in place? 

A couple of years back there was a move to replace Green Traffic volunteers with professional staff. Fortunately someone high up intervened and basically said “leave them, they know the job and do a great job”

[Skip997]

Green Traffic lives on, looks like I’ll be back on the farm this year for the 40th anniversary of my first Glastonbury 

[efcfanwirral]

10 minutes ago, Skip997 said:

Green Traffic lives on, looks like I’ll be back on the farm this year for the 40th anniversary of my first Glastonbury 

Amazing stuff! 

 

Can't wait to get signed up with Oxfam at the start of Feb, I know I've got priority but there's no feeling like when it's actually confirmed 

Edited January 15, 2025 by efcfanwirral

[Funkyfairy!]

15 minutes ago, Skip997 said:

Green Traffic lives on, looks like I’ll be back on the farm this year for the 40th anniversary of my first Glastonbury 

excellent news - see you there 

[Skip997]

11 minutes ago, Funkyfairy! said:

excellent news - see you there 

Hopefully 

 

I’ve only managed to meet two “efesters” so far 

[philipsteak]

2 hours ago, Skip997 said:

Green Traffic lives on, looks like I’ll be back on the farm this year for the 40th anniversary of my first Glastonbury 

 

Nice

 

It'll be the 30th anniversary for me this year

[Someoni]

2 hours ago, Skip997 said:

Green Traffic lives on, looks like I’ll be back on the farm this year for the 40th anniversary of my first Glastonbury 

Excellent news!

 

Here's me at the other end of the scale bringing 3 fresh first timers. 4 if you count the little one!

[Skip997]

2 minutes ago, Someoni said:

Excellent news!

 

Here's me at the other end of the scale bringing 3 fresh first timers. 4 if you count the little one!

Ah the unrepeatable experience of your first time 

[pie_and_a_pint]

On 1/10/2025 at 8:56 PM, dondo said:

Yes. Sounds very laborious 

 

They did say they're getting a new system for 2027

 

I also read new caterers for Tom's Field this year

Good. Last year's had quite good food, but were clearly overwhelmed by the thought of actually a) making it and b) serving it. It was a shambles. And International Eats in previous years were filth (literally - they failed their food hygiene inspection!)

[philipsteak]

10 minutes ago, pie_and_a_pint said:

Good. Last year's had quite good food, but were clearly overwhelmed by the thought of actually a) making it and b) serving it. It was a shambles. And International Eats in previous years were filth (literally - they failed their food hygiene inspection!)

 

I remember that happening one year with Oxfam (a good few years ago now) and we ended up having to use our vouchers at Goose Hall