Oxfam Festivals has a wealth of opportunities to get involved with this summer including Stewarding, Campaigning and Shop Volunteering. With many different roles across a variety of festivals around the UK, we hope that you can join us this summer! Keep reading to learn more about the ‘Application Basics’.
Stewarding:
To be prepared for your application you will need:
- Access to the internet to apply online
- A unique email address
- A digital photo (passport style)
- To provide a referee email address
- Basic information about yourself (Name, Address, DOB, Medical information)
- Your bank details to provide a one-off refundable deposit equal to the price of the festival ticket
- Shift partner information if applicable – You can add up to 5 friends to be shift partners with you so that you work at the same time during the festival, via the online application:
- You all need each other’s full names and DOBs for the application
- We will try our best to make sure you are always on shift at the same time, however, we can’t guarantee your duties will be based in the same location
Do you have you do training?
Yes, we will provide all the training before you arrive on-site. We will ask for you to select a date for training within your application. This training is with other volunteers and lasts a few hours. If you cannot attend in person we can make exceptions to be able to attend online. The training must be completed before you can join us at any festival and we ask for this to be topped up every 4 years. There are also lots of very experienced volunteers who can show you the ropes.
Please note: Your festival place is not secure until you have completed all parts of your profile. Once this is done you will be emailed to confirm this at which point it is time to start getting excited and prepping for the festival.
Campaigning:
To be prepared for your application you will need:
- Access to the internet to apply online
- A unique email address
- A digital photo (passport style)
- To provide a referee email address
- Basic information about yourself (Name, Address, DOB, Medical information)
- Your bank details to provide a one-off refundable deposit equal to the price of the festival ticket
Once you have picked your festival and paid your deposit you will then be required to fill out an application form. This form provides an opportunity for you to demonstrate how you meet the skills and competencies outlined in the “What we are looking for?” section. Your application will be scored against these. We will be asking you the following:
Why me? Please give a brief description (no more than 500 words) of why you’re right for this role, giving examples of any skills and experience that will convince us to get you on board.
Introduce yourself – In less than two minutes, create a short video of yourself:
- Telling us about one of Oxfam’s campaigns or issues we work on
-
- Why you think it is important
-
- How you would ask someone to get involved to support Oxfam’s work
- Please upload it as an unlisted file to YouTube and paste the URL address into the box below. If you are having any problems with this please email festivals@oxfam.org.uk
- We will then be back in contact to let you know if your application is successful or not
Please note: To be considered for a campaigner place at Glastonbury you are required to volunteer at a second festival as either a campaigner, steward or shop volunteer. This is due to the high demand for places; we want to ensure all volunteers are dedicated to the role.
Do you have to attend training?
Yes, campaigner training is mandatory for all volunteers. In 2020 we will have pre-event training as well as an on-site briefing. Pre-event training is a great chance to talk through the campaign, learn more about the role on-site, and feel confident ahead of talking to the public.
Shop Volunteering:
To be prepared for your application you will need:
- Access to the internet to apply online
- A unique email address
- A digital photo (passport style)
- You Oxfam shop number
- To provide a referee email address- please note your reference must be an Oxfam member of staff who has known you for at least 3 months. Without this, your application will not be successful.
- Basic information about yourself (Name, Address, DOB, Medical information)
- The Festival Shop Team believe we can trust experienced volunteers to represent Oxfam in a professional manner on-site, and therefore a deposit is not required
Next steps…
Once you have filled in your application you will receive an informal telephone interview. This is a great opportunity to talk about your Oxfam experience and ask questions about the festival shop volunteer role.
So why volunteer with Oxfam?
There are loads of benefits to volunteering with Oxfam. You have your own secure campsite with other like-minded crew and volunteers, hot tea and coffee, phone charging, showers, and meal vouchers for each shift; a marquee in our campsite at many of our festivals which often acts as a meeting point and a great way to meet new friends. A one-off deposit gives you access to over 18 festivals; each festival you complete helps us in our fight against global poverty.
A full festival list will be available soon, but can you review 2019 festivals here
For further information please explore the rest of our website and read our FAQs
Start a conversation with other volunteers in our Facebook Chat here
Look forward to seeing you in a field!
Oxfam Festivals Team
Is there any age restriction I am a fit 70 yr old ?
Hi Malcolm, there are no restrictions on age. In fact, we have volunteers well into their 80’s who volunteer at festivals. We hope to see you at a festival with us next summer.
Hi Malcolm, there is no age restriction (except being over 18) and we would love to have you on board. We have a very diverse community of likeminded indivduals. If you have Facebook we recommend joining our community here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/oxfamfestivalsteam/ Hopefully see you next summer- Oxfam Festivals team
I’d love to support and work as part of a team at Glastonbury xx I Have worked at west Berkshire mencap for 15 years.. with adults with learning disabilities. I am dbs and first aid trained.
Hi Nadine, we would love to have you on board. Make sure you have registered an interest to keep up to date about when applications open: https://www.oxfam.org.uk/stewarding-forms/register-your-interest
Hello Nadine, we would love to have you on board. Make sure you have joined our Facebook group to keep up to date about when applications open: https://www.facebook.com/groups/oxfamfestivalsteam/ . – Oxfam Festivals team
Being a seasoned festival goer, it will be really good to give something back to the festival for a change, and help out whilst meeting likeminded festival folk and having an all round amazing time! Fingers crossed I will see you in the fields xx
Hi Rebecca, we would love to have you on board. Make sure you have registered an interest to keep up to date about when applications open: https://www.oxfam.org.uk/stewarding-forms/register-your-interest and join our Facebook page here to meet likeminded people: https://www.facebook.com/groups/oxfamfestivalsteam/. Hopefully see you next summer! – Oxfam Festivals team
This could get confusing if the two of us are stewarding at the same time :-p
I haven’t left my bank details, when and where do i do this?
Hi Dean, thanks for your question. Our applications are not currently open and are due to open early next year. This is when you will be able to chose your festivals and pay your deposit. Unitil then keep up to date by joining our Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/oxfamfestivalsteam/ – Oxfam Festivals team
Look forward to being a part of the team…😃
Hi Francesca, we would love to have you on board. Make sure you have registered an interest to keep up to date about when applications open: https://www.oxfam.org.uk/stewarding-forms/register-your-interest and join our Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/oxfamfestivalsteam/ – Oxfam Festivals team
Looking forward to the team…😃
What an opportunity to give back to a community of like minded people. Where ever I may be given the chance too.
Hi Paula, we hope to see you join us next summer! Make sure you have joined our Facebook community to keep up to date and meet likeminded people: https://www.facebook.com/groups/oxfamfestivalsteam/ – Oxfam Festivals team
Having Worked with 16+Ypung People and have attended a few Festivals what a privilege it would be to be part of the Oxfam Team and give back help Support to like minded folks working with a well loved Charity 🌹
Hi Tracy, thank you so much for showing your support! We hope to see you next summer. Make sure you have joined our Facebook community to keep up to date and meet likeminded people: https://www.facebook.com/groups/oxfamfestivalsteam/ – Oxfam Festivals team
Do people who volunteered at Glastonbury in 2017 still get priority for Glastonbury 2019? Like in other years?
Hi Ellie, thanks for checking in. To gain priority you would have needed to have completed 3 festivals in 2017 or two in 2017 and one in 2018. We hope to see you join us next summer. -Oxfam Festivals team
How do I go about finding a referee??😊
Hi Beth, thanks for your question. Like applying for a job, we would consider a college lecturer, employer, or someone who knows you in a formal capacity to be appropriate, please do not enter the name of a relative or someone who has known you for a short time. Your referee will be emailed and they will need to confirm these following statements:
I have known this person for over six months.
I am not related to this person.
I know them through a professional capacity.
I can confirm they will be over 18 at the start of the festival.
I know them to be honest and responsible.
I know them to be punctual and reliable.
We hope to see you next summer. – Oxfam Festivals team 🙂
I am wanting to work with you guys for the first time and am super excited about giving back to the festival community. As I am planning to be traveling around to different festivals this summer I am wondering if you can apply to volunteer at more than one festival and apply as a pair/group?
Thank you
Good afternoon Rachel, its great to hear you are super excited to join us next summer. You can apply for as many festivals as you would like (as long as they do not clash) and you will only need to pay one deposit which would equate to the festival with the highest deposit. When you apply you can add up to 5 friends to be shift partners with you via the online application. We will always try our best to make sure you are always on shift at the same times as your shift partners, however, we can’t guarantee your duties will be based in the same location. We look forward to seeing you next summer! – Oxfam Festivals team
Can I pay by credit card instead of bank account?
Hi Jarrod, you can pay by any debit or credit card. Best wishes, Oxfam Festival Team
Hi guys,
When are applications likely to be open for new applicants to volunteer at festivals this year (2019)?
Hi Nathan,
Will we have a number of announcements very soon. The best way to ensure you are kept up to date is by ensuring you are receiving our emails by registering your interest here:https://www.oxfam.org.uk/stewarding-forms/register-your-interest and joining our Facebook community group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/oxfamfestivalsteam/
We hope to see you this summer!
Thanks,
Zara, Oxfam Festivals Team
Hi team
Is it possible to donate my contribution to Oxfam if I got chosen as a volunteer? It’d be great to give back and still have the experience of helping campaign. It’s on my bucket list, along with milking a cow!!
Hi Nichola,
Yes! We’d be thrilled if you donated. After you have paid your deposit, you will have an option of donating some, or all, of your deposit to Oxfam after the festivals are over. This can be done on your volunteer profile on the Oxfam website.
Don’t forget our applications will be going live on the 12th February. And you will need to register your interest first and sign up for our email updates: https://www.oxfam.org.uk/stewarding-forms/register-your-interest
You can also join our Facebook community group here for updates: https://www.facebook.com/groups/oxfamfestivalsteam/
We hope to see you this summer (and good luck with the cow!).
All the best, Sam – Oxfam Festivals Team
Hi guys,
How do you go about becoming a volunteer with the shop team if you haven’t previously?
Thanks.
Hi Daisy,
Thanks for getting in touch. Great question!
In order to volunteer at an Oxfam festival shop you need to have completed 3 months volunteering (or working) at an Oxfam shop on the high street.
Once you’ve done this, you can obtain a reference from your manager and then you can volunteer at the Oxfam festival shop.
Please see our FAQ here for more information: https://oxfamapps.org/festivals/faq.php
If you have any further questions please don’t hesitate to ask.
If you’re interested in volunteering in a different capacity, don’t forget to register your interest here:
https://www.oxfam.org.uk/stewarding-forms/register-your-interest
Applications open on the 12th February.
Hopefully see you in the summer!
Best wishes, Sam – Oxfam Festival Team
Ive only just seen the email about applications opening on 12th. Is it possible to still apply? 🙂
Hi Eleanor,
Yes of course! Our applications will be going live on the 12th February; this is when you select the festivals you would like to volunteer at.
You will need to register your interest first and sign up for our email updates: https://www.oxfam.org.uk/stewarding-forms/register-your-interest
You can also join our Facebook community group here for updates: https://www.facebook.com/groups/oxfamfestivalsteam/
We hope to see you this summer!
All the best, Sam – Oxfam Festivals Team
Hi I’m Paul. I’m desperate to volunteer this year at Glastonbury and have the chance to give back. How do I go about applying and sending over all the information needed
Hi Paul,
Thanks very much for your interest in volunteering with Oxfam at Glastonbury. Our applications will be going live on the 12th February.
You will need to register your interest first and sign up for our email updates: https://www.oxfam.org.uk/stewarding-forms/register-your-interest
You can also join our Facebook community group here for updates: https://www.facebook.com/groups/oxfamfestivalsteam/
Glastonbury is extremely popular so we cannot guarantee everyone will be selected, but there are plenty of other festivals that you can volunteer at through Oxfam as a way to give back!
We hope to see you this summer.
All the best, Sam – Oxfam Festivals Team
hi I would love to volunteer for any festival look forward to hearing of you let the festivals begin 2019
HI Paula, it’s great to hear you are interested in volunteering with us this summer! Our applications open on12th February at 11am at which point you will be able to pick your festivals and sign up. Thanks- Zara, Oxfam Festivals Team
Hello, How much is the deposist?
Hi Jennifer, the deposit reflect the cost of the festival ticket so depends on the festival you chose. You also only pay one deposit (the highest deposit cost) even if you go to a number of festivals. We hope you will be applying when our applications open on 12th February at 11 am. Thanks- Zara Oxfam Festivals
Hi! After paying the deposit, when would I find out if I’ve been selected for Glastonbury and if I havn’t, when can I request the money back?
Thank you!
Hello, you will not be able to pay your deposit if there are not any spaces, as Glastonbury will disappear from the festival drop-down list. If you are applying to steward then once you have paid you would have successfully reserved your place pending a successful reference which you can submit after 18th Feb. Shop and campaign applications will be reviewed within a few weeks and if unsuccessful you will be refunded your deposit. Thanks- Zara
Hello, I am applying to become a paramedic, and have my first aid degree. Is there any chance of volunteering to be on a first aid team?
Hi Anna, I am afraid we do not do first aid at festivals. It might be worth contacting people like St Johns Ambulance instead 🙂 Thanks Zara
Hi, Do you accept applications from persons with disabilities? I have a serious lung condition although wouldn’t consider myself seriously incapable of any tasks, I do struggle to rush around. Would you have any roles suitable to me and my condition?
Hi Michelle, we try and accommodate for any kind of disability. Please see out accessibility page for more information: https://oxfamapps.org/festivals/accessibility.php .
When you sign up when our applications open early next year, you can fill in your profile with any medical requirements. You will be contacted by a member of our team before the festival to better understand any additional needs you require. Thanks, Sam – Oxfam Festivals Team
Hi.
My girlfriend and myself are from ireland and looking to volunteer for Glastonbury. I see the training needs to be done. Is it possible to do online or onsite when we get there. If were accepted? Thanks
Hi Chris, yes there is mandatory training. This is available online, however we do strongly recommend you try to come to one of our sessions in person. It’s a great opportunity to meet people you might be working with at the festivals themselves, and to ask any specific questions you may have either with the crowd or personally to one of our trainers. Please keep in mind you need to undertake the training before you arrive at the festival. Thanks, Sam – Oxfam Festivals Team
Hi, I’m 16years old and really wanting to volunteer which will also help my silver Duke of Edinburgh but wondering if there’s an age restriction?
Thanks Tyler
Hi Tyler, unfortunately we cannot accept persons under the age of 18 years old at the date the festival starts. This is due to our insurance. Please sign up to keep notified and when you turn 18 you can be one of the first to apply to volunteer. Look forward to seeing you in the future. https://www.oxfam.org.uk/stewarding-forms/register-your-interest
Thanks, Sam – Oxfam Festivals Team
I’m a 66 yr old retired Social Worker experience in all aspects if social work including Physical and Learning disabilities , sensory impairment and Autism, I am willing to join any group and do any job to support people attending festivals.
I have registered but not sure what to do next.
Thanks
Sue
Hi Sue, sorry for the delayed reply. Our applications will not be open until the new year. Until then, you can stay up to date via our monthly emails, our Facebook group or on this blog. We hope to see you next summer- Zara, Oxfam Festivals Team
I’m from South Korea, now traveling around the world. I wish i can attend one of the volunteer works especially Glastonbury, but i wonder if it’s possible for foreign passport holder. And if it’s good, will it be ok to give my Korean bank account? Or I can always give my friends’ ones if it’s ok. They have U.K bank ones.
Lastly, and thankfully I’ve got the email about the exact date you sent me. Could you tell me on what time will it be released? At midnight? Thanks!
Hi there, apologies for the delayed response. If you have the right to work in the UK then we can accept you to volunteer with us. Your government should be able to provide you with that information.
Yes we can accept overseas bank accounts for the deposit payment. I’m afraid we don’t know the exact time that the applications will open yet. But Glastonbury is very popular so you will have to be quick to get a slot.
Hope to see you in a field in the summer. Best wishes, Sam – Oxfam Festivals Team
Hey, I’m from Australia – will you accept international volunteers?
I’ll be over there for a month or so, so I can make all the trainings.
Hi Anne, apologies for the delayed response.
If you have the right to work in the UK then we can accept you as a volunteer. Your government should be able to provide that information to you.
Best wishes, Sam – Oxfam Festivals Team
I’ve just registered on this site but there doesn’t seem to be a way to select festivals. Is that correct? I’m interested in Glastonbury and Beautiful Days. Am an experienced project manager with a company that actively works with charities raising funds.
Hi Debra. This is correct, we are not open for applications yet. You can register your interest here to keep informed as to when applications will open: https://www.oxfam.org.uk/stewarding-forms/register-your-interest
It’s great you have that experience and hopefully you will be volunteering with us and bringing it along with you this summer.
Best wishes, Sam – Oxfam Festivals Team