Volunteer FAQs
This section is a collection of Frequently Asked Questions about being a volunteer at Greenbelt.
General
Tell me about Greenbelt Festival.
Volunteering
Why should I volunteer?
What if I don’t know which team I might be interested in?
When do I need to be available to volunteer?
Is accommodation available for volunteers?
Will I get meals provided while I'm volunteering?
Do I need to provide references?
How does Greenbelt look after its volunteers?
Will I get more information about volunteering before the festival?
Can I volunteer with my friends?
Do I have to stay in the same team next time?
Can I volunteer if I bring children to the festival with me?
How does Greenbelt help with childcare?
Will I need to complete a Criminal Records Bureau check?
If I have a criminal record am I excluded from volunteering?
General
Tell me about Greenbelt Festival
There’s a general FAQ page which will provide the answers to all your general questions about the festival.
Volunteering
Volunteers tell us that they get a great sense of satisfaction and achievement from helping to make the festival happen. Many of them have enjoyed Greenbelt as ‘Festival-goers’ themselves and want to give something back.
By volunteering you can try out new skills, gain experience, face fresh challenges, make friends and enjoy being part of a team.
Greenbelt offers volunteers entry to the festival for the weekend, meals and snacks to keep you going during the hours you are on duty as a volunteer, a ‘handmade’ t shirt and discount on items in the g_store.
What if I don’t know which team I might be interested in?
We have a list of all volunteer teams with their role on-site so you can see the breadth of teams at the Festival, and also a Skills list which matches the skills and interests that you might like to offer to the Festival with teams you might be interested in.
If you’re still not sure where you’d fit best you can fill in the general application form and tell us a bit more about yourself in the section titled ‘occupation/skills’. Or drop us a line volunteers@greenbelt.org.uk or ring the office on 0207 374 2755 to find out more.
When do I need to be available to volunteer?
The festival opens to the public on Friday of the August Bank Holiday Weekend and runs until Monday evening.
Volunteer roles normally begin on the Friday of the weekend, but most volunteers need to be onsite by Thursday to attend training, briefing and welcome sessions.
Some volunteer roles run from the Monday at the beginning of the week of the festival – Early Birds, Site Vibing, Site Crew.
(Please note that the festival site can be accessed only by volunteers who need to be there for their role during 'build week'. The campsite is under construction at this time and access to toilet facilities and water is limited. The area is not suitable for children and families and we recommend that volunteers do not bring children with them if their role is pre-festival.)
Is accommodation available for volunteers?
Most festival-goers and volunteers camp on the racecourse during the weekend. You’ll need a tent, sleeping bag and camping gear. There is an area of the campsite for volunteers – with spaces allocated on a first-come first-served basis.
There are pre-erected tents for hire too. For more information, click here.
There is also bed and breakfast accommodation available in Cheltenham. You can get more details from the Tourist Information Centre.
Will I get meals provided while I'm volunteering?
Greenbelt provides volunteers with vouchers for food during the hours that they are volunteering. This adds up to around £7 per shift, which will get you a meal or a couple of snacks to keep you going during that time. Your meal vouchers can be redeemed with any of the caterers onsite during the weekend. Many of them offer special deals for volunteers using vouchers which will make you a saving too!
Is there an age-limit for volunteering?
Most volunteer roles are open to applicants who will be 18 years old at the time of the festival – though we do have opportunities for volunteers aged 16 and 17 (mainly in the stewards' team). Please contact us for more details volunteers@greenbelt.org.uk
There is no upper age limit for volunteers.
Do I need to provide references?
Some volunteering roles – which involve contact with children and young people, financial transactions, and providing the ‘public face’ of Greenbelt – will require references. Your Team Leaders will let you know if references are required when you apply and will provide you with a form to complete.
How does Greenbelt look after its volunteers?
Volunteers are essential to the survival and success of the festival. Greenbelt provides a lounge for all volunteers to use during the weekend. There is free tea/coffee and cold drinks, biscuits and comfy seats for you to enjoy as you take a well-earned break.
If you have a question, there’s also an information desk in the Volunteers Lounge, where seasoned volunteers will help you out and point you in the right direction.
If you’re feeling a bit isolated, or have a problem you’d like to chat through over the weekend, we also have a support team who will drop in to find out how things are going.
There are free showers for volunteers too!
Will I get more information about volunteering before the festival?
Your Team Leader will send you all the information you need about your volunteering role. There will also be a briefing or training session that you will need to attend for your team before the festival begins. Your Team Leader will tell you when that will be.
The Volunteers Co-ordinator will also send you a copy of the Volunteer Handbook through the post. This will give you lots of general information about volunteering and what's available for volunteers - and will include a map of the festival site.
Don't forget to let your Team Leader know if you change your address in the time between sending in your application and the festival.
Can I volunteer with my friends?
Yes, volunteers can come along to the festival and volunteer with their friends, or in a group. Please tell your Team Leader when you apply that you'd like to volunteer at the same time as your friend and they'll try to help out.
If you're already a volunteer and you have a group you'd like to bring along with you, please encourage them to get involved too.
Do I have to stay in the same team next time?
No, you're welcome to try out different teams if you like. Some roles require a bit of previous festival experience and we'd like you to develop your skills too. Get in touch if you'd like more information about roles which might suit you.
Can I volunteer if I bring children to the festival with me?
You are able to volunteer if you bring children with you to the festival, but for legal and safety reasons children must not accompany volunteers while they are on duty. Your children remain your responsibility during the festival.
Many Greenbelt volunteers arrange to share childcare with their partner or friends during the festival on an informal basis.
Some teams operate in the week before the festival is open to the public. The festival site is being built during this time and, as safety is the priority, must not to be accessed by anyone who is not required as a volunteer or member of staff. The campsite is also under construction during this week and is unsuitable for children and families.
How does Greenbelt help with childcare?
Greenbelt offers reduced rate tickets for family and friends as a way of supporting volunteers with childcare. Details of costs and a downloadable form are available from the office from April – and once a volunteer has been accepted onto a team.
Will I need to complete a Criminal Records Bureau check?
Volunteers in teams where direct contact with children and young people is required will all need to complete an enhanced CRB check before being permitted to take part in the Festival. Your Team Leader will give you more details and put you in touch with the CRB administrator.
Greenbelt takes safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults at the festival very seriously. The festival has a Child Protection Officer who works with staff and volunteers to provide training and guidance in all areas of child protection.
Greenbelt is registered with the Churches Child Protection Advisory Service (CCPAS) for advice and support in relation to child protection and good working practice with children, young people and vulnerable adults.
If I have a criminal record am I excluded from volunteering?
Having a criminal record does not necessarily bar you from volunteering at the festival. Greenbelt staff and volunteer Team Leaders will assess each application on an individual basis, taking into account the nature of any offense and the scope of the role applied for.
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