Hosting Handbook

As a Greenbelt Host you are responsible for reading this Handbook

Greenbelt’s move and 2027: a quick Q&A briefing for volunteers
These aren’t scripts to be learned, just the key info for you if someone asks you any of these questions. Please feel free to put them into your own words.

What if someone wants more detail than I know?

That’s absolutely fine. You don’t need to know everything or defend any Greenbelt decisions.

The simplest version is:

We’ve got some really promising options for a new home, but there’s been no decision yet on the new location, and Greenbelt doesn’t want to rush such a big call. So there’ll be no full festival in 2027, giving us time to find the right place and come back in 2028.

And if you don’t know the answer to something, it’s perfectly OK to say so.

Why is Greenbelt leaving Boughton?

● This is our final year at Boughton, after 12 years here. We’ve always been a nomad festival – this has been our seventh home in more than 50 years.

● Since the pandemic, the cost of festival infrastructure has rocketed, and on a greenfield site like Boughton, those costs eat up more and more of our budget.

● So we’re looking for a new home where Greenbelt can thrive for the long term.

● We’d love somewhere more accessible and sustainable, with good transport links and hopefully more built-in infrastructure.

● We also want somewhere beautiful, with room for everyone to camp or stay nearby.

● We know nowhere will be perfect. There will be compromises, but we want to get the big things right. Have you found the new site yet? Not quite yet.

● We’ve visited and investigated lots of possible sites.

● There are now some really strong contenders.

● But none has quite reached the point where we’re ready to say: “This is it.”

● After this year’s festival, the team will be getting straight back into the search and the detailed work around the strongest options.

So why not just choose one?

Because this is a big decision – hopefully one we’ll live with for many years.

We could rush into the best option available right now, but we don’t think that would be wise. Taking a little longer gives us the chance to find somewhere that really works for the festival and its future.

Why is there no full festival in 2027?

Simply because we need more time. To put on Greenbelt in 2027, we would need to have the new site agreed and be planning for it now. We’re not quite there yet. So Greenbelt will take a breather from the full-scale festival in 2027, giving us the time to make the move properly and come back strongly in 2028.

Was a year off always the plan?

Nope!

● The dream scenario would have been to move straight from Boughton to a new site.

● The team spent months researching, shortlisting and visiting possible new homes.

● By late Spring, it became clear that although we had good options, we hadn’t found somewhere we were completely confident about.

● Rather than rush the decision just to meet a deadline, Greenbelt and its trustees agreed that taking a year out was the right thing to do.

Does that mean there’s no Greenbelt at all in 2027?

There won’t be the big festival as we know it, but Greenbelt isn’t disappearing for a year.

There’ll still be ways to gather, connect and get your dose of Greenbelt-flavoured goodness. There’s quite a bit of detail in the printed Guide and there will be information on the Greenbelt website after the festival. Is Greenbelt coming back? Oh yes! The full festival will return in 2028, in a new home. That’s what the year out is helping us prepare for. We’ll be thinking about things like:

● accessibility

● sustainability

● public transport and getting there

● affordability

● built-in infrastructure

● camping and nearby accommodation

● having the space and freedom to be creative

And yes, we’d still like it to be beautiful. No pressure, then.

Are you looking for another country estate?

Not necessarily, no. But we’re not ruling that possibility out, either. Over the years we’ve made all sorts of sites our home.

One thing we’ve learned from the search is that more built-in infrastructure could make a real difference. So we’re keeping an open mind about what the next Greenbelt home might look like.

When will you announce the new site?

As soon as there’s something definite to announce.

What will the Greenbelt team do during the year off?

Quite a lot!

The site search continues, alongside planning for Greenbelt’s return in 2028. A year without the usual festival deadline also gives the team a rare opportunity to rethink and improve things behind the scenes.

We’ll also be working on all the good stuff planned for 2027, including a smaller camping gathering over August Bank Holiday weekend at Boughton, visits to our sister festivals, plus lots of digital content.

The plan is also to keep the staff team together across the year. Keeping all that experience and knowledge is really important for ensuring we bring the full festival back as strongly as possible.

Is Greenbelt in trouble?

Our year out is about taking the time to make the right move, rather than rushing into the wrong one.

It’s a deliberate decision to protect Greenbelt’s future and give the next chapter the best possible start.

We are incredibly lucky and grateful to have the financial support of more than 2,400 Angels, whose generosity makes our festival economy work: a lot of people give a little, every month.
Read More
Show Reports App
What this is (and what it isn’t)

You’ll use this app to tell the Programming office how the show went — how many people turned up, what the artist said, what worked, what didn’t. It takes 60–90 seconds per show.

It is not for operational problems. If something needs sorting out on the ground — a medical issue, sound going down, missing crew — radio Front Desk the same way you always would. Don’t try to raise those here; the Programming team will only see this occasionally, and something urgent won’t be seen in time.

Getting in

Open [the URL your team lead sent you] on your phone. Bookmark it or “Add to Home Screen” (Safari share sheet → Add to Home Screen) so it’s one tap away. You’ll need to be connected to the festival WiFi for the app to load.

Once you’re in, this is what you’ll see:

Home screen — no name set yet

Four tabs across the middle: 1. Venue, 2. Show, 3. Report, My Reports. That’s the whole flow. You go left to right.

First time — enter your name

Tap the Venue tab. Before you can pick a venue you’ll be asked for a name so the Programming office knows who filed each report.

Who’s reporting? — empty name field

Type your name and tap Save.

Josh Cullum typed into the name field

The app remembers your name on this phone — you’ll only ever do this once. If you need to change it later, there’s a Change name button back on the home screen.

Filing a report

Step 1 — pick your venue

After saving your name, you’ll see the list of festival venues. Tap the one you’re at.

Which venue are you at? — venue list

Scroll to find yours. The list has everything from Around Site to Wild Goose.

More of the venue list

Your last-used venue is remembered, so next time you’ll skip straight past this.

Step 2 — pick the show

You’ll now see the shows happening at your venue.

Show picker at Hot House

Tap Report on this show next to the one you want to report on.

“Rescheduled show” slots are placeholders for when the programme changes at short notice. If the show you want to report on isn’t listed (maybe the schedule shifted), pick a Rescheduled slot in the right time window and the form will ask you to describe what the show actually was.

Step 3 — fill in the form

Five short questions:
- Audience peak — roughly how many people at the fullest. A rough number is fine, we’re not counting heads exactly.
- Audience variation — did lots leave early? Big surge halfway through? Empty at the start, full by the end?
- Artist feedback — anything the artist told you or was overheard saying.
- Difficulties — anything technical (sound, lighting) or otherwise (weather, running late) — and whether it got resolved.
- Other factors — weather, adjacent events, audience behaviour, anything worth flagging.
Show report — top of the form

Only the audience number is required. Everything else can be blank if there’s genuinely nothing to say.

Step 4 — audience photo (optional)

At the bottom of the form there’s a slot to attach a photo of the audience.

Show report — bottom of the form with photo picker

The office loves seeing the crowd from where you’re standing — it gives them a proper feel for how the show landed that a number on its own can’t. Optional, but every one is genuinely appreciated.
- If you’re online, pick a photo now and it uploads with the report.
- If you’re offline, this field disappears — file the text-only report, and add the photo later from My Reports once you’re back on WiFi.
Tap Submit report. Done.

Multiple reports for one show

If more than one volunteer covers the same show, that’s fine — file separately. The office likes seeing different perspectives.

Realised you missed something after hitting Submit? You don’t need to file a second report — open the one you just filed from My Reports and add a follow-up comment. Same for corrections (“actually it was closer to 400 in the end”) or anything the artist said after the set. The office sees comments right alongside the original.

My Reports — going back to add photos or comments

After you’ve submitted, the app moves you to the My Reports tab.

My Reports tab

This lists everything you’ve submitted from this phone. Tap any report to:
- Attach the audience photo you couldn’t upload earlier (needs WiFi)
- Attach extra photos of anything else worth showing
- Add a follow-up comment if you forgot to mention something
Reports themselves can’t be edited once submitted — that’s on purpose, to keep an honest record. Follow-up comments are the way to correct or add anything.

Being offline

Festival WiFi is temperamental. The app is built for that:
- The form works offline. You can file a report from a signal-dead corner of the site — it’ll queue on your phone.
- You’ll see “Queued: N pending” at the top of the home screen.
- When you get back on WiFi, the app syncs automatically. You’ll usually see it happen within a few seconds of your phone reconnecting.
- You can force a sync by tapping Sync now on the home screen. Rarely needed, but there if you want it.
- Photos need WiFi. They’re too big to queue reliably. When you’re offline the photo picker is hidden and the form gets a note reminding you to add the photo later from My Reports.
Don’t worry about losing a queued report. They live in your phone’s local storage — even if you close the app, they’ll still be there when you re-open it. Just don’t switch phones or wipe the browser before they sync.

The buttons on the home screen — what they do
- Sync now — force a sync of any queued reports. Only useful if you think autosync isn’t happening.
- Change name — update the name that’s attached to your reports. Won’t retroactively change reports you already filed.
- Reset device — clears everything on this phone: name, queued reports, activity log. Only use this if you’re handing the phone to someone else or you want a fresh start. It doesn’t delete anything from the office — just from this phone.
Common questions

“I can’t see the show I want to report on.” Report the missing show to Josh or the Programming Office so the schedule can be updated. In the meantime, pick a Rescheduled slot for the same time and describe what the show actually was.

“I typed the wrong audience number after submitting.” Open the report from My Reports and add a follow-up comment saying “correction: audience peak was actually X”. The original stays, but the office will see the correction.

“My phone died mid-report.” Anything you’d already submitted is safe. If it was still open (not yet submitted), you’ll have to type it again — the app doesn’t save drafts.

“I filed a report for the wrong show.” Add a follow-up comment saying which show it should be. The office will figure it out.

“The URL doesn’t work.” Check you’re connected to the festival WiFi. The app only loads on the festival network — you can’t reach it from your home 4G/5G. If you’re on the festival WiFi and it still doesn’t work, tell your team lead — the app might be down.

“I forgot my name.” Tap Change name on the home screen and set it again.

The Programming office side

You won’t see this, but for context: everything you submit shows up on a dashboard the office watches. They filter by venue, event type, date. They can pull a PDF or spreadsheet of any subset. Reports are timestamped and attributed to your name.

Nothing gets deleted. Reports are permanent — corrections happen via follow-up comments.

Questions or issues

Ask your team lead first. If they can’t help, they’ll escalate.

Thanks for volunteering — enjoy the festival.
Read More
Heat Exhaustion, Overheating and Fainting
Heat Exhaustion, Overheating and Fainting

During hot weather, people attending the festival may become dehydrated, overheated, dizzy or faint. As Hosting Volunteers, you are not expected to diagnose or treat the casualty. Your role is to keep them safe, reassure them and provide basic support while First Aid makes their way to you.

First: call for First Aid

Call Control on Radio Channel 1 and ask for First Aid.

Tell Control:
- where you are (include the nearest landmark, stage or entrance if useful)
- what has happened
- whether the person is conscious and responsive
- whether they are breathing normally
- any other immediate concerns.
Stay with the casualty until First Aid arrives, unless you need to get help or make the area safe.

While waiting for First Aid

If the person is conscious and able to respond:
- Get them somewhere cooler. Move them out of direct sun and, where possible, somewhere shaded, cool and well ventilated.
- Let them rest. Encourage them to sit or lie down and stop any activity.
- Cool them down. Whilst maintaining their dignity, and with their permission, encourage them to remove unnecessary outer clothing and use cool water on their skin. Fanning them can also help. A cool, damp cloth or wrapped cold pack can be placed against the neck or armpits.
- Offer water or a rehydration/sports drink if they are fully conscious and able to drink normally. Don’t force them to drink.
- Reassure them. Stay calm, explain that First Aid has been called and that you are staying with them.
- Keep monitoring them. Notice whether they are becoming more or less alert, and tell First Aid about any changes when they arrive.
If someone has fainted

If someone has fainted, help keep them safe from further injury. If they are breathing normally and have no obvious injury, they can be laid on their back with their legs raised. Stay with them and monitor their breathing and responsiveness.

Do not give food or drink to someone who is unconscious, very drowsy or unable to swallow normally.

Be alert for heatstroke

Heatstroke is a medical emergency. Look out for someone who is becoming confused, restless, very hot, has a very high temperature, is breathing rapidly, has a seizure, or becomes unconscious.

If this happens:

Call Control on Radio Channel 1 and request First Aid immediately. If the situation appears life-threatening, ask Control about calling 999 for an ambulance.

Keep cooling the person while help is on the way. If they become unconscious but are breathing normally, put them in the recovery position and continue to monitor their breathing. If they are not breathing normally, call control again and start CPR if you are trained to do so.

Remember

Cool them. Rest them. Reassure them. Keep them with you. Get First Aid.

You don’t need to work out exactly what is wrong — if someone looks unwell in the heat, call for First Aid and stay with them.
Read More
Sensitive programming list – Greenbelt 2026
Sensitive programming list – Greenbelt 2026

There’s so much we could highlight – Palestine, economics, climate change etc. But we’ve just pulled out the specific sessions we think could be triggering.

This list has been provided so that you can be prepared as hosts to keep an eye out for sessions and content that may need support from Greenbelt Well Being. The well Being Team have this list, and will deploy team members to each session. If there is a need for the team and you can’t see them, call Control on Channel 1 and request a member of the Well Being Team to attend.

Rebel Rouser

Sunday, 14:15

WHO WILL SLAY THE ELBIT BEAST?

Clare Hinchcliffe and Joey Hinchcliffe

Clare Hinchcliffe’s daughter Joey (20) was imprisoned for 18 months on remand for direct action against an Israeli weapons factory in Bristol. Clare and Joey share their story and how prayer and poetry kept them sane.

Friday, 11:00

HOW (ON EARTH) TO PARENT?

Grace Claydon
Between nappy changes and nursery rhymes, the news brings horror and anxiety. This is a space to explore the feelings that emerge as we raise children in these times. Bring your grief, your rage, and your fragile hope.

Note – not triggering as such but maybe quite an emotive/difficult topic for people

Friday, 12:45

CREATIVE ACTIVISM
Cheer Up Luv

An empowering workshop led by feminist campaigner Eliza Hatch of Cheer Up Luv, focused on creating a visual manifesto with collage, photography and more towards your own personal creative project or change-making goal.

Note – this session is mainly focused on the audience’s own activism, but Eliza may also reference some of her own work around sexual assault

Forum

Sunday, 12:15 and 15:15

THE LIGHT HOUSE

Alys Williams

Alys Williams’ show tells of falling in love and staying in love, even when the lights go out and you’re lost in the dark. Puppetry, clowning and gently embedded audience participation; it’s a love letter to life.
60 mins / 12+ / References to suicide and hospitalisation

Pagoda

Friday, 11:00

Remembering Apartheid, Hearing Palestine

Three thoughtful Palestinian voices and a priest from South Africa ask how remembering apartheid might help us listen more attentively to Palestine, and how we seek justice with truth, dignity and reconciliation.

Friday, 15:30

PARTOFA BIGGER THING

Jordan Stephens

Musician, writer, actor and campaigner Jordan Stephens is one of the most thoughtful voices countering the manosphere with radical vulnerability.
In conversation with Guvna B.

Saturday, 14:00

A BETTER TOMORROW

Mina Smallman

In 2020, Mina Smallman’s daughters were murdered in a London park. The first woman of colour to be an Archdeacon in the Church of England, Mina campaigns for justice for them — and for a better, more equal Britain.
Mina will be in conversation with Cole Moreton.

Sunday, 14:30

NORMALLY WEIRD & WEIRDLY NORMAL

Robin Ince

After a life-long struggle with sadness and self-doubt, at 52, comedian Robin Ince was diagnosed with ADHD. Here he explores the world of neurodivergence and to ask what normal really is — and whether it even exists.

No Fly Zone

Friday, 20:15

THE GENOCIDE CONTINUES

In Gaza, the West Bank and Israeli prisons — the genocide continues. Amos Trust brings live link-ups, films from Gaza journalists and an exclusive new film from the Free Marwan Campaign.

With Amos Trust

Sunday, 20:00

NATIONAL EMERGENCY BRIEFING

The UK faces a climate and nature emergency but most people have never been briefed by experts on what it really means. This new film sets out the risks facing the nation— and the credible, positive responses available.

Hosted by Melanie Nazareth, the Churches Project Officer for Green Christian

90 mins / 16+

Shelter

Friday, 18:30

WHEN THE MUSIC FADES

Lucy Sixsmith

Unpacking evangelical culture with clarity and compassion, Author Lucy Sixsmith revisits growing up in the Soul Survivor generation, from the euphoric highs of worship tents to the quiet reckoning of adulthood.

Saturday, 18:30

OUT EUCHARIST

OUT@Greenbelt

A very special service of Holy Communion for LGBTQIA+ people and our friends, where you don’t need to hide from yourself, each other or God. Everyone is welcome.

Sunday, 14:30

LAMENT: THE SIGH OF GOD

Rev Carrie Grant and the Space Community

Is God too sometimes lost for words? In this act of worship, loosely led by Rev Carrie Grant, become part of a ‘collective spiritual soundscape’. Experience silence as protest, make noise with no words. Lament.

Hope & Anchor

Lots of the H&A programme is sensitive, but their team are there to hold that content. It’s what they do. But I’ve highlighted a few things.

Friday, 11:30

RECOVERY CHURCH

A service for people with experience of addiction. Where church and AA meet.

With Recovery Church

Daily Recovery Church drop-ins, 13:00

Friday, 14:00

WE DIDN’T START THE FIRE

A Boomer, a Gen Z and a Millennial walk into a bar… From housing crisis to climate crisis, we invite young and old to bring their stories, frustrations and hopes to the table. With The Methodist Church

Friday, 15:30

TRANS & NON- BINARY MEET-UP

OUT@Greenbelt

Get together with other trans and non-binary festivalgoers. Non- binary and trans members of the OUT@Greenbelt team will host.

Friday, 17:00

MAKE MASCULINITY GREAT AGAIN!

Guvna B

Toxic masculinity is unavoidable. How do we unpack its influence, challenge its power, and explore healthier visions of masculinity? With The Methodist Church

Sunday, 14:00

BEHIND CLOSED DOORS: NAVIGATING LOVE & LUST

Purity culture has taught many to fear desire – but desire comes in many forms. A daring conversation about kink, celibacy, polyamory, and unconventional choices, asking how Christians navigate sexuality and faith today.

With The Methodist Church and special guest Melissa Todd

Dengine

The Youth team are around to support young people generally but just adding here too.

Saturday, 16:30

PALESTINE 101
What’s it like to grow up in Palestine? In this session three Palestinians, Lamma, Daniel and Muhanad, will be discussing the everyday realities faced by young people in Palestine today. From checkpoints and curfews to resilience and resistance, this session offers a powerful introduction to the human side of the headlines. Come with questions, leave with insight.

Glade

Saturday, 16:30

Shlomo & the GOB Orchestra
Greenbelt is proud to present a slice of pure trans joy: making their festival debut, GOB (Goddexes of Beatbox) Orchestra is the world’s first trans and non-binary beatbox supergroup. Imagine seven extraordinary vocalists. They’re not gods or goddesses, they’re Goddexes: deities of sound who exist beyond expectation and category. Each Goddex’s artistry goes beyond the binary, on a soul-stirring, all-vocal journey which blends jaw-dropping beatbox gymnastics, lush harmonies, and booty-shaking bass. GOB is the brainchild of SK Shlomo, beatboxer and Greenbelt favourite, described by The Times as a “one-person music festival”.

Includes:
- Loud noises
- Sensitive subject matter around identity and mental health
- Haze
- Strong language
PALESTINE PROGRAMMING AT GREENBELT 2026

FRIDAY

09:00

NO MORE JUST WORDS

Sabeel-Kairos

Clare Thiel of Sabeel-Kairos talks about the plight of the Palestinian Christian community, their message to us, and what we simply must do to work towards a just peace.

11:00, Pagoda

REMEMBERING APARTHEID, HEARING PALESTINE

Canon Nitano Muller, Daniel Munayer, Lamma Mansour and Muhanad Al Qaisy

Three Palestinians and a South African priest ask how remembering apartheid helps us listen more attentively to Palestine, and how we seek justice with truth, dignity and reconciliation.
Embrace the Middle East session

16.30, wild Goose

HOPE IN ACTION

Lamma Mansour and Sally Foster- Fulton

Drawing on Lamma Mansour’s lived experience in Nazareth, and Christian Aid’s work in the occupied Palestinian territory, Sally and Lamma explore themes of solidarity, hope as a human right, and the de- occupation of imagination.

With Christian Aid

19:30, Wild Goose
WAVE OF PRAYER: PRAYER FOR PALESTINE
Join Sabeel-Kairos UK to pray for Palestine.

Led by Rev John Howard and friends.

20:15, No Fly Zone

THE GENOCIDE CONTINUES

In Gaza, the West Bank and Israeli prisons — the genocide continues. Amos Trust brings live link-ups, films from Gaza journalists and an exclusive new film from the Free Marwan Campaign.

With Amos Trust

SATURDAY

12:30, Pagoda

BOYCOTT, DIVESTMENT & SANCTIONS:

ENDING COMPLICITY IN ISRAEL’S GENOCIDE & APARTHEID

Omar Barghouti

Palestinian human rights defender Omar Bargouti reveals the power of boycotts, divestment and sanctions in defeating Israel’s apartheid policies and in challenging

the complicity of international corporations. Omar will be in conversation with Amos Trust’s Chris Rose.

15:45, Wild Goose
STAYING AT THE TABLE

Coventry Cathedral and Embrace the Middle East invite you to explore the practice of gracious dialogue as a way of listening well and speaking truthfully on difficult and divisive issues such as Israel and Palestine.

With Embrace the Middle East

15:45, Rebel Rouser

SPEIT

A Palestinian rapper and spoken word artist, born in the UK and rooted in resistance, Speit uses his voice to shine a light on the suffering of his family and community under occupation, bringing raw truth and freedom to the stage.

16:30, Dengine
PALESTINE 101
Daniel Munayer, Lamma Mansour and Muhanad Al Qaisy

What’s it like to grow up in Palestine? In this session three Palestinians, Lamma, Daniel and Muhanad, will be discussing the everyday realities faced by young people in Palestine today. From checkpoints and curfews to resilience and resistance, this session offers a powerful introduction to the human side of the headlines. Come with questions, leave with insight. With Embrace the Middle East

17:00, Hot House

THE UK’S MOST ARRESTED PRIEST

Sue Parfitt

Life is about radical obedience to the will of God, says Rev Sue Parfitt (84). A life-long disciple of Jesus, she talks about putting her body on the line for life and justice in Palestine and in the climate crisis. In conversation with Paul Wilson.

SUNDAY

10:00, Glade
COMMUNION GATHERING
LET IT ALL GO

Siskin Green, Testament and Lamma Mansour

Our last communion at Boughton House, our festival home since 2014. We are on the move. But what will we take with us? What should we leave behind? Let’s meet for a joyful unpacking, as we un-equip ourselves for the road ahead.

We will share bread and wine together. And like the first disciples, we will let it all go, and whisper to each other the only thing we can be sure of: “The kingdom of God is very near”. With Music from Siskin Green And rap from Testament.
Lamma Mansour speaking
Time To Act postcards in bags

13:30, No Fly Zone

TIME TO ACT
Munther Issac and Richard Sewell

Our Palestinian sisters and brothers are calling on us to act now for

a just peace. Hear directly from them about their lived reality, and learn how the Just Peace Coalition is bringing UK churches together to act.

Hosted by Pete Moorey.

With Christian Aid, Sabeel-Kairos, Amos Trust and the Methodist

16:00, Pagoda

CREATIVITY, CONNECTION, CHANGE
Charlotte Church

After singing all over the world, for presidents and popes, what made Charlotte Church focus on creating spaces so people can rediscover the deep relationship with themselves and their world? Chine McDonald finds out.

18:30, Hope & Anchor
Lamma Mansour and Dave Hardman

Palestine is more than a headline. It’s a land, song, story and a people whose steadfastness endures even in the shadow of unimaginable pain. In this session, Palestinian artists and storytellers invite us into the living heartbeat of Palestinian culture—held alongside the grief and resilience of those living through the ongoing genocide and occupation. A space to lament.

A space to celebrate. A space to stand in solidarity.
Read More

Hosting Teams – Radio Etiquette

Radio etiquette

1.	Clarity:	Your voice should be clear. Speak a little slower than normal. Speak in a normal tone, do not shout.
2.	Simplicity:	Keep your message simple enough for intended listeners to understand.
3.	Brevity:	Be precise and to the point.
4.	Security:	Do not transmit confidential / private / personal information on an open radio channel. Remember, channels are shared, you do not have exclusive use of the channel.

General Terms	Meaning
Radio Check	What is my signal strength? Can you hear me?
Go Ahead	You are ready to receive transmission.
Stand-by	You acknowledge the other party, but are unable to respond immediately.
Negative	Same as “No”.
Affirmative	Same as “Yes”. Avoid “yup” or “nope” as they are difficult to hear.
Say Again	Re-transmit your message
Over	Your message is finished.
Out	Your conversation is finished; the channel is clear for others to use. DON’T SAY “OVER AND OUT”
Emergency, Emergency	You are interrupting in the middle of communication because you have an emergency.
Copy	You understand what was said.

Call Format

First listen to ensure the channel is clear for you. Do not talk over others’ conversations! If a conversation is happening, wait for it to finish – it will end with “out”
Press the PTT (Push-To-Talk) button.
After 2 seconds:
- Say “recipient’s call sign” twice
- followed by “FROM” and “your call sign“.
Once the person replies, convey your message.

For example:

“Programming Programming from Artist Reception”
“This is Artist Reception, go ahead”
“Message / query, over”
“Response, over OR out”

IN AN INCIDENT:
If you need to speak to Control in the event of an incident remember the ETHANE model:

E – Exact Location – Where are you? Use a landmark

T – Type of Incident – What is happening?

H – Hazards Present – What makes it dangerous?

A – Access & Egress – How do they get help to you?

N – Number of People – How many are affected?

E – Engage Response – Who and what do you need right now?

Take time to plan this before you start your call.

Programming Call Signs

Teams without specific venues

Team	What they do (if it’s not obvious)	Call Sign – it is vital that these are used correctly to avoid confusion	Specific individuals / Team Leaders who may need calling within the team
Artist Drivers	Operate the drivers’ buggies, bandwagon, and manage some offsite travel. Please note that it is important to get this call sign right (referring to taxis or shuttle bus etc is referring to different teams which causes confusion)!	Artist Drivers	Dave Stuart
Artist Glamping	Artist Camping (self-siting) and Artist Glamping	Artist Glamping	Rose Nikki
Artist Reception	Artist check in – hand out pre agreed stickies for Glade & Canopy, wristbands, and pre agreed meal vouchers	Artist Reception	Emma Bethany
Green Room Catering (part of the GR team)	There’s a person from the Green Room based in the crew catering tent supporting artists with meal vouchers	Green Room Catering
Green Room	Artist space, includes the Big Friendly Helpdesk	Green Room	Catherine Julie
Hosts Team	Manage the team of hosts for each venue.	Hosts	Phil Jude Josh Dave
Hosts Tech Team	Tech Support for Hosts/Venues	Hosts Tech	Josh Megan Roaming
Jayne Cookson	Paul’s PA – often quicker & easier to get hold of her than Paul	Cookson
Jem	Deals with programming in Ta dah!, Make & Create, Art Studio, Village Hall. Also has things in Dengine & Commons – note some of these venues are on a different channel	Jem
Joanna Booth	Staff – Programme Manager	Joanna
Paul Northup	Staff – Creative Director	Paul
Programming Office	Can issue missing stickies and Green Room stickies for artist guests, also deal with programming related queries including payments	Programming	Sarah Elspeth
Programming Operations Managers	Fix all the things	POM POM	Jacqui Emma
Rachel Lewis	Staff – Programme Producer	Rachel

Venues Note: there are obviously other venues but their call signs will be confirmed and shared with the final version of this document

Venue	What they do (if it’s not obvious)	Call Sign – it is vital that these are used correctly to avoid confusion	Specific individuals / Team Leaders who may need calling within the team
Canopy	Runs front of house for venue	Canopy
Canopy Backstage	Runs Canopy Backstage	Canopy Backstage
Forum	Venue Host for Forum	Forum
Forum Backstage	Stage Manager for Forum	Forum Backstage
Glade Backstage	Runs Glade backstage	Glade Backstage	Pippa
Make & Create	Run Make & Create Venue – NOTE THEY ARE ON CHANNEL 13	Make & Create
Ta-Dah!	Run Ta-Dah! Venue – NOTE THEY ARE ON CHANNEL 13	Ta-Dah!

Venues & Call Signs

Canopy	On Channel 4	FOH / Tech
Canopy Backstage	On Channel 4	Backstage / Artist Qs
Dengine	On Channel 4
Forum	On Channel 4	Venue Host
Forum Backstage	On Channel 4	Stage Manager
Glade	On Channel 4
Glade Backstage	On Channel 4	Backstage / Artist Qs
Hope & Anchor	On Channel 4
Hot House	On Channel 4
No Fly Zone	On Channel 4
Make & Create	On Channel 13
Pagoda	On Channel 4
Rebel Rouser	On Channel 4
Shelter	On Channel 4
Studio	On Channel 4
Table	On Channel 4
Ta-Dah!	On Channel 13
Village Hall	On Channel 4
Wild Goose	On Channel 4

CHANNELS

CHANNEL	TEAM
1	General Ops
2	Production Site
3	Taxis (NOT ARTIST DRIVERS)
4	Programming
5	TBC – Programming Spare?
6	Hosts
7	Managed 2
8	Managed 3
9	Managed 4
10	Managed 5
11	Managed 6
12	Managed 7
13	Children / Safeguarding
14	Campsite
15	Site / Traffic
16	Incident (Restricted)
17	Power
18	Water, Waste, Toilets
19	Spare
20	Spare

1.	Clarity:	Your voice should be clear. Speak a little slower than normal. Speak in a normal tone, do not shout.
2.	Simplicity:	Keep your message simple enough for intended listeners to understand.
3.	Brevity:	Be precise and to the point.
4.	Security:	Do not transmit confidential / private / personal information on an open radio channel. Remember, channels are shared, you do not have exclusive use of the channel.

General Terms	Meaning
Radio Check	What is my signal strength? Can you hear me?
Go Ahead	You are ready to receive transmission.
Stand-by	You acknowledge the other party, but are unable to respond immediately.
Negative	Same as “No”.
Affirmative	Same as “Yes”. Avoid “yup” or “nope” as they are difficult to hear.
Say Again	Re-transmit your message
Over	Your message is finished.
Out	Your conversation is finished; the channel is clear for others to use. DON’T SAY “OVER AND OUT”
Emergency, Emergency	You are interrupting in the middle of communication because you have an emergency.
Copy	You understand what was said.

Call Format

First listen to ensure the channel is clear for you. Do not talk over others’ conversations! If a conversation is happening, wait for it to finish – it will end with “out”
Press the PTT (Push-To-Talk) button.
After 2 seconds:
- Say “recipient’s call sign” twice
- followed by “FROM” and “your call sign“.
Once the person replies, convey your message.

For example:

“Programming Programming from Artist Reception”
“This is Artist Reception, go ahead”
“Message / query, over”
“Response, over OR out”

Call signs

Team	What they do (if it’s not obvious)	Call Sign
Artist Drivers	Operate the drivers buggies, bandwagon, and manage some offsite travel)	Artist Drivers
Artist Glamping	Artist Camping (self siting) and Artist Glamping	Artist Glamping
Artist Reception	Artist check in – hand out pre agreed stickies for Glade & Canopy, wristbands, and pre agreed meal vouchers	Artist Reception
Green Room Catering	There’s a person from the Green Room based in the crew catering tent supporting artists with meal vouchers	Big Friendly Helpdesk
Glade Backstage		Glade Backstage
Green Room	Artist space, includes the Big Friendly Helpdesk	Green Room
Hosts Team	Manage the team of hosts for each venue	Host Team Leaders
Jayne Cookson	Paul’s PA – often quicker & easier to get hold of her than Paul	Cookson
Jem	Deals with programming in Ta dah!, Make & Create, Art Studio, Village Hall. Also has things in Dengine & Commons – note these venues are on a different channel	Jem
Joanna Booth	Staff – Programme Manager	Joanna
Paul Northup	Staff – Creative Director	Paul
Programming Office	Can issue missing stickies and Green Room stickies for artist guests, also deal with programming related queries including payments	Programming
Programming Operations Managers		POM POM or Emma POM / Jacqui POM
Rachel Lewis	Staff – Programme Producer	Rachel

Venues

Canopy	On Channel 4
Dengine	On Channel 4
Forum & Commons	On Channel 4
Glade	On Channel 4
Hope & Anchor	On Channel 4
Hot House	On Channel 4
No Fly Zone	On Channel 4
Make & Create	On Channel 13
Pagoda	On Channel 4
Rebel Rouser	On Channel 4
Shelter	On Channel 4
Studio	On Channel 4
Table	On Channel 4
Ta-Dah!	On Channel 13
Village Hall	On Channel 4
Wild Goose	On Channel 4

CHANNELS

CHANNEL	TEAM
1	General Ops
2	Production Site
3	Taxis (NOT ARTIST DRIVERS)
4	Programming
5	Production Technical
6	Hosts
7	Managed 2
8	Managed 3
9	Managed 4
10	Managed 5
11	Managed 6
12	Managed 7
13	Children / Safeguarding
14	Campsite
15	Site / Traffic
16	Incident (Restricted)
17	Power
18	Water, Waste, Toilets
19	Spare
20	Spare

Palestine sessions at Greenbelt 2026
Palestine sessions at Greenbelt 2026

The Greenbelt Festival programme this year will include its customary and intentional focus on Palestine.

That’s nothing new. We’ve been platforming and spotlighting the Palestinian struggle for justice and equal rights since the 1980s. And we will continue to do so.

What is different this year (and was last year, too) is the law proscribing Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation here in the UK. Whatever we might think of the proscription, it is the law. And, as a public event and a registered charity, we need to operate within it.

So, while we continue to be utterly outraged about what is happening in Gaza and the West Bank; and while we have had and will continue to platform activists involved in non-violent direct action in support of Palestinian equal rights; Greenbelt must abide by the law as it currently stands.

Not least, we do not want our actions at the festival to make things more difficult for our many Palestinian guests.

We are sharing this note with all artists and speakers who we are platforming at Greenbelt 2026, who we know are actively involved in campaigning and protesting for Palestinian rights, and who are involved in programming at the festival that will have a strong Palestinian focus.

We ask for your good grace and understanding in this.
Read More
ALL WEEKEND – GENERAL MESSAGES
Below you will find the general GB messages to use over the weekend. The key things are NOT to read them out as if they are the ‘Church Notices’ and Not to use them all at once. co-ordinate with your team members so they all get covered in your venue over the day and try and sound like you mean it! Its important that things don’t sound too corporate -after all we are a festival!

[THESE TWO ANGELS SECTIONS – YOU CAN GRADUALLY BUILD THIS OVER THE WEEKEND. DON’T HIT HARD TOO START WITH. GRADUALLY TURN UP THE DIAL.]

[ANGELS]

Here’s a question for you Greenbelt – did you know that around two and half thousand people support our festival all year round?

We call them Angels – the chances are you might be sitting or standing near one right now. You might even spot the little Angels badge they’re wearing.

And if we’re being completely honest, Greenbelt wouldn’t be here without them.

Angels make a small donation to us every month – or once a year – because they believe in Greenbelt, and in keeping this space that we all love – alive for years to come.

Somewhere to believe in, and belong to – for all of us here, and all the Greenbelters to come.

Together, our Angels provide an incredible fifth of Greenbelt’s annual income.

That helps us protect what matters, plan for the future and keep the festival going – even in the years like next year – when we can’t put on the full festival.

And the best news is that there’s always room for more Angels.

So if you love this space we make together, and you’d like to make sure it’s still going well into the future, perhaps you’d like to join them?

You can find out more and sign up at the Angels Lounge. As an Angel, you’ll receive our Wing & A Prayer emails, giving you the inside track on what’s happening at Greenbelt.

You’ll also be invited to Angels-only events and online sessions. And here at the festival, you can spend time in the Angels Lounge and find out more about what your support helps us do.

There’s even a bell that rings every time somebody becomes an Angel during the festival.

So if you hear it, you’ll know that someone else has just decided to help us out with a regular donation and their ongoing love and support.

Why not let the next ring be for you?

Visit the Angels Lounge to find out more.

[ANGELS GIVING]

Hopefully you’ve heard about our Angels. They are those generous Greenbelters who make a small regular donation to the festival, because they want to help us keep this space – that we all love – alive.

Right now, we’re facing our very own festival gap-year. We’re having to take a breather while we make sure to find the best possible site for our next festival home.

It means that our Angel giving is all-the-more precious.

Last year we ran a Spread Your Wings campaign, to ask if those of you who’d been Angels for a long time, might consider giving a little more.

An amazing 300 of you did. Thank you so much if you were one of them!

And thanks to those increases and new Angels joining, this year’s donations will be worth over half a million pounds, from about two and half thousand generous Greenbelters.

Can we just give our Angels a round of applause please? Let’s hear it for these amazing people!

Now if you’re not currently an Angel, but you would like to be clapped by a venue full of people, then you know what to do!

Pop into our Angels’ Lounge over the weekend and find out more about helping us out.

[G-STORE]

If you love nothing more than some Greenbelt merch, and you want something to remember Boughton by, then don’t forget to pop into the g-store for all your festival clobber.

From tee-shirts to teatowels, hoodies to hats, we’ve got you covered.

So get yourselves to the g-store (just to the left of the main stage) and remember – every single penny of profit goes straight back to the festival.

[G-TALKS]

If you’ve missed a talk or two this year, do not worry!

Our volunteer talks team are hard at work recording (almost) all of the talks at this year’s festival.

So if there’s something you miss in the Pagoda or elsewhere, never fear.

ANNND… this year we’re making every single recorded talk from this year’s festival available for free online.

It’s a small gift from us to you after the festival, and hopefully plenty to remind you of Greenbelt while we take a breather next year.

For those of you who love your ’All Talks’ bundle on a USB stick – you can still order yours in the G-Store, but there is a small charge for this physical format that just covers the cost of producing it.

[SUSTAINABILITY]

For the last few years we’ve run our Greenerbelter initiative, rewarding folks who didn’t drive here, with a free drink on us for travelling here that little bit greener.

So if you came by foot, bike, bus, or train – head to the Green Fairies tent in the Glade Arena with proof of your travel – and they’ll give you some vouchers to show our appreciation.

[LOST PROPERTY]

Lots of us lose stuff over the course of the weekend, but we have a team dedicated to reuniting you with it.

So if you’ve lost something, then don’t forget to head to the info booth to reclaim your lost property, and our crack lost property crew will do their best to reunite you.

But if you do lose something, then don’t hang about. We’ll only be holding onto valuable lost property items after the festival.

So all the usual suspects – water bottles and the rest – will be donated to a local charity shop if they’re not claimed by noon on Monday.

You can reclaim your belongings from the Info Booth until Sunday night, after which you can find them in the Orange Carpark (near Wristband exchange) on Monday.

[TREASURE IN A FIELD]

Did you know, that to mark our final year at Boughton House, Greenbelt have put together everything we’ve learned from a decade of Sunday Communions?

It’s a brand new book called Treasure in a Field, and it’s a collection of thinking, ideas and resources from the last 10 Communion gatherings we’ve celebrated right here.

It’s yours to use, share and adapt however you’d like.

(Or perhaps just the perfect gift for any clergy in your life!)

You can buy Treasure in a Field from the G-Store all weekend for just £10.

FRIDAY — GENERAL MESSAGES

Welcome to Greenbelt Festival 2026! We hope you have a properly smashing weekend. If you haven’t got your festival programme yet, you can buy one from the g-store for £12.

SATURDAY — GENERAL MESSAGES

n/a

SUNDAY — GENERAL MESSAGES

[COMMUNION GIVING]

Your generous giving at today’s Communion Gathering will be split 50/50.

Half of your donations will help us safeguard the future of the festival and make a huge difference to what we do.

The other half will go to relief and restoration projects in Gaza, through our friends at Christian Aid. You will be supporting life-changing work done by two of Christian Aid’s Palestinian charity partners.

If you’ve not donated yet but would like to, you can still make a gift by putting cash or a cheque into the white buckets.

Make the cheque out to Greenbelt Festivals Limited, or you can make your donation online by credit or debit card. And don’t forget to gift aid it, if you can!

You can also visit the Jesus Arms, The Hope and Anchor or the G-Store any time over the weekend and say you want to contribute to the communion offering.

You can also make a donation online by visiting Greenbelt’s website, or just use the QR code in the Guide.

Whatever you choose to do, THANK YOU for supporting Greenbelt AND the people of Gaza through this offering.

[FOOD DONATIONS]

If you’ve ended up bringing food you’ve not eaten, did you know you can donate any dry or tinned food, rather than take it home with you?

Just drop it off at the Parent Support Venue in the campsite on Monday morning, and our friends at Trussell will make sure it gets to local food banks.

[BETWEEN THE FIELDS]

Next year is going to be an unusual one for Greenbelt. That’s because there isn’t going to be one!

As you’ll know, we decided to take just a little while longer to find the perfect new home, before we come back in 2028.

Along with finding that new location, there’s still going to be plenty of Greenbelt goodness for all of us to hang onto next year.

We’ve even got a name for everything that’s planned for 2027. We’re calling it Between the Fields – because that’s where we’ll all be once this weekend is over.

You can read all about what’s planned in this year’s festival guide, as well as on Greenbelt’s website. There will be plenty of opportunities to join us in real life – and virtually – wherever you are.

For the Greenbelt team, it’s going to be a really valuable chance to start thinking about the kind of festival we’re going to make in our new home, as well as – of course – deciding where that will be.

It’s going to be a really exciting time for Greenbelt so make sure you go to the website and sign up for our regular Dispatches email, where you’ll get all the latest news.

TABLE – VENUE MESSAGES

Venue Partners

We’d like to say a big thank you to Trussell and United Reformed Church, who have joined forces again this year to host our Table venue.

Together, they’re hosting a great space for affordable food and proper conversations.

One in seven people in the UK face hunger and Trussell supports a network of more than 1,200 food bank centres, giving emergency food and support to people in crisis across the UK.

They’re also running a food collection here at Greenbelt, for local food banks. So as you’re packing up and heading home on Monday morning, stop by and drop your unwanted goods at the Parent Support Venue.

United Reformed Church is a family of Christians worshipping in about 1500 local churches. From Orkney to Cornwall, they run their churches in ways that take everyone’s insights and contributions seriously.

HOT HOUSE – VENUE MESSAGES

Venue Partner

We’d like to say a massive thank you to our venue partners for the Hot House, the Pickwell Foundation.

In the Hot House we like to be thought-provoking by day and hitting the dancefloor by night – and we can only do that thanks to Pickwell’s passion for people and planet.

The Pickwell Foundation collaborates with charities working with displaced people as well as those combating climate change.

It’s also heavily involved in the new ‘Named Community Sponsorship’ programme and the future of refugee protection in the UK.

‘Named Community Sponsorship’ is the route the Government has chosen as the main means of offering protection for refugees – but its success will depend on communities being ready to say “yes”.

For over a decade, communities across the UK have welcomed refugees through Community Sponsorship – but always with families they didn’t already know.

For the first time, community groups will be able to identify and name the person or family they want to welcome – perhaps a family member of someone already here, a friend, a former colleague, or anyone with a connection to their community.

This new scheme and way of working is expected to open for applications this autumn 2026 – and you can help. The Pickwell Foundation is building a list of groups and individuals who want to be ready when the scheme opens.

It could be a church, book group, community group, university group or sports clubs: anyone with a connection to someone who needs protection.

If you’d like to find out more, you’re in the right place. Come and find one of the Pickwell Team and find out how you could be involved.

PAGODA – VENUE MESSAGES

Venue Partner
Welcome to the Pagoda everyone! It’s the place for big thinking and big ideas. It’s good thinking all ways round, thanks to the generous support of CCLA Investment Management.

CCLA is the UK’s leading ethical fund manager for charities, faith and the public sector, with a long history of looking after the assets of Christian organisations. CCLA also runs the ‘Better World’ Global Equity Fund for individuals.

CCLA helps to run the Church Investors Group too. They bring together Christian investors from different denominations, and help them invest in ways that reflect their faith and make a real difference to people and the planet.

NO FLY ZONE – VENUE MESSAGES

[Venue Partner]

After more than 30 years of partnership, it’s hard to think of Greenbelt without Christian Aid, our main festival partner. They continue to try and offer lasting hope, while helping people build a life free from poverty.

The No Fly Zone has been a dream of Greenbelt’s for a while now. But we can only do it because of the generous support of Christian Aid.

You can sign up to their campaigns, and continue to build hope long after the weekend ends. Find Christian Aid in the No Fly Zone and the Glade this year.

General Christian Aid

Find Christian Aid in the Glade or No Fly Zone and add your voice to calls to end the debt and climate crises. Together we can smash colonialism and help restore a broken world.

Or

Greenbelt is a place of imagination: for dreaming up a better world and a glimpse of what that life together can be like. But where do we all take our energy once we leave the site?

Head to the No Fly Zone or find one of Christian Aid’s volunteers on the Glade to learn about how you can keep putting hope into action – beyond the festival.

Or

We’ve got a new Prime Minister in the UK, and that means a big new opportunity. While the world is pulling away from its commitments to ending poverty and justice, Christian Aid wants us to step up and show solidarity. Let’s use this moment to put hope back on the agenda. Head to the No Fly Zone, or spot one of Christian Aid’s volunteers on the Glade to find out more.

Or

The G20 is coming to the UK and Christian Aid wants to show the strength of support for international solidarity and cooperation. Find one of their team in the red t-shirts to learn more about how you can get involved.

Hotline of Hope

If you’d like a dose of hope – and who doesn’t? – then head over to the No Fly Zone to find Christian Aid’s Hotline of Hope, and listen to messages sent by activists from around the world.

Or

If you’re enjoying feeling hopeful this weekend, then join Christian Aid in the No Fly Zone this weekend where you can listen to their activists’ stories on the Hotline of Hope and add your own hope-filled messages.

Or

Do you have a message for your fellow Greenbelters? Join in with Christian Aid’s audio exhibition alongside activists from around the world. You can listen, reflect, and record your own message of what hope means to you. Head over to the No Fly Zone and look for the red phones to find the Hotline of Hope.

Or

Greenbelt and Christian Aid have come together again this year to create the No Fly Zone venue. It’s where we platform activists, artists, academics and theologians from all over the world. This year, you can hear their stories outside of the sessions in the Hotline of Hope over at the No Fly Zone. Grab a red phone and have a listen. Then leave your own message of hope.

Temporary Tattoos

Has anyone had a tattoo done this weekend? I’m talking about the temporary kind of course – Christian Aid have got the perfect inky souvenir to remember your time at Greenbelt. Find anyone in the red t-shirts to get yours, and wear some hope and solidarity with your fellow Greenbelters!

Or

If you’ve ever fancied getting a tattoo, this weekend could be your time. You can get inked with Christian Aid – don’t worry it will wash off – just look for the red t-shirts on the Glade or around the site. It’s your chance to wear your activism with pride, look good doing it, and maybe work out if you’re ready for the real thing.

Whirlwind Game

We all know that sometimes it can be tough to hold onto hope, but it’s much easier when we do it together. Jump into Christian Aid’s Whirlwind game in the No Fly Zone to see how much hope you can hang onto. There’s a prize every time, but we also love a bit of friendly competition, so the daily winners will win their own mystery prize.

Or

If you need an energy booster today then Christian Aid invites you to grab hope with both hands! Or elbows. Or feet. We’re not fussy. Join Christian Aid in the No Fly Zone to take on the challenge and play their Whirlwind game. It’s you, and a wind tunnel, and whole lot of hope flying about for you to hang onto.

———

Special note for No Fly Zone hosts for the TIME TO ACT session on Sunday at 1330

It’s time for a shout out – we’d like to say a big thank you to our friends at Embrace, who are a key partner supporting the Just Peace Coalition behind our Time to Act session at 1.30pm today. We somehow missed them out of the printed Guide but we couldn’t do this without their support.
Read More
Greenbelt Festival Tone of Voice – A Guide
Greenbelt Festival Tone of Voice – A Guide

Who we are

We’re a friendly, approachable, passionate bunch at Greenbelt, and hopefully that should come across in how we communicate with our fellow festivalgoers.

Let’s get some of the obvious (but useful) stuff out of the way first.

Whether you’re typing or talking, our tone should be informal, friendly and welcoming. Just like the festival. So always use ‘we’ when talking about Greenbelt, for example.

Equally, if someone asks you a question don’t feel like you have to speak for the festival. It’s perfectly OK to not know something – just politely explain, “That’s a great question – I don’t know the answer but I’ll find out for you.”

Abbreviate how you write just like you would if writing to a friend on whatsapp (for example, we’re not we are) but please write, spell and talk in full sentences wherever possible. Relaxed chat rather than text speak.

In the same way, feel free to use a light touch in what you say or write. A little wit can be a handy way to get a message across. But we shouldn’t ever mock, or make light of serious topics. We shouldn’t take ourselves seriously but we should absolutely take the issues Greenbelters care about seriously.

The best way to think about how we talk (or type) is to reflect it through who we are as a festival. Our ethos is that we’re somewhere to believe in and belong to (probably worth a read if you’ve never seen them before).

Our tone of voice should try to echo what’s in these. In fact, we thought the best way of explaining how we talk to one another is through some of the ideas of what’s in our twin manifestos.
- We were founded a long time ago by a bunch of misfits in a field
We’ve always been a space for people who don’t always feel like they fit in in conventional spaces. So our tone should be super-welcoming and friendly. We’re the space you’ve been waiting to find.

On-screen example:

“Hello! Welcome to the chat. Everyone is welcome and we’d love to know what you think of this livestreamed session.”

In the field:

“We’ve bumped into Joe Bloggs, who’s back for his tenth Greenbelt. Joe, can you tell us a bit about what being here means to you?”

On stage:

“Welcome back Greenbelters of all ages! Do we have a festival weekend for you.”
- We’re somewhere to be amazed and inspired
If we’re not excited by what’s on at the festival, why would anyone else be? People come here to get fired up and then take ideas and inspiration home with them. We should tap into that excitement.

On-screen:

“The next session on No Fly Zone is going to be an absolute treat for fans of poet and Greenbelt favourite Harry Baker – see you there!”

In the field:

“Can we ask you the question we’ve been asking everyone this weekend – what’s the best thing you’ve enjoyed this year? Could be a talk or a show or a prayer or an onion bhaji!”

On stage:

“Greenbelters can I ask you to raise the roof for what you’ve just seen? That was, and I don’t say this lightly, flipping amazing! Can we show our appreciation please?”
- We’re part festival part family
Greenbelt’s been going for more than 50 years. As you’d expect, that means for lots of people this is their umpteenth Greenbelt and they know – or think they know – everything about the festival.

But… there will be plenty of people for whom this might be their very first Greenbelt. So while we want to welcome back experienced Greenbelters like it’s a big party they stepped out of just 51 weeks ago, let’s never take new Greenbelters for granted, or make them feel like this is a private club they’ve stumbled on by mistake.

So instead of:

“Beer and Hymns everyone – do we really need to say any more? The singing – and drinking – starts in just 15 minutes over at the Jesus Arms”

…we make sure that our old traditions are still invitational to new Greenbelters.

“If it’s your first time at Greenbelt, and you like either a) singing hymns or b) drinking beer, then we heartily recommend a trip to the Jesus Arms at 11am for Beer and Hymns. Alcohol is absolutely voluntary, whereas singing is more of a must. Everyone is welcome, and every single song is a banger.”
- We’re somewhere it’s OK to ask questions, because we think that’s where all the interesting stuff happens.
Like we say above, it’s perfectly OK to not know something – just politely explain, “That’s a great question – I don’t know the answer but I’ll find out for you.”

Elsewhere, if you’re on screen or on stage asking questions, make sure they’re open questions that prompt full answers rather than short ‘yes/no’ answers.

“What’s been the highlight of your day so far?”

“Where are you off to next?”

“How did you first hear about Greenbelt?”

“What made you choose this session?”

“What’s one thing you’re hoping to experience here?”
- We’re a festival for the trad and the rad.
We’re a festival made up of different views and perspectives. It can be overwhelming. We’d recommend trying not to overlay your own thoughts and feelings unless it’s being specifically required of you. Your own idea of what’s ‘out there’ might be someone else’s day-to-day. Your ‘rad’, their ‘trad’. By all means express curiosity and ask questions, but let people decide for themselves what they’re seeing or experiencing.

So don’t feel the need to label or judge the content yourself. Instead, hand the interpretive work back to the audience.

“What stood out to you in that session?”

“How did that performance make you feel?”

“What connections are you making with what you’ve just seen?”

“Was anything surprising or unexpected for you?”

“What questions does this raise for you?”

“What feels challenging or affirming in what you’ve just seen?”
- Four days spent together that we remember long after summer has faded.
This final point is just to gently point out something that it’s easy to take for granted these days: how quietly miraculous small, creative, independent festivals like ours are. You have a crucial part to play in how people feel about the time they spend in the fields. So keep the tone light, invitational and reflective. The aim isn’t to tell people ‘this is miraculous’ but to help them discover it for themselves.

“What’s been a special moment for you today?”

“What do you think you’ll carry home from this weekend?”

“Who or what has surprised you here?”

“What feels different about being at a festival like this?”

“If you could bottle one feeling from today, what would it be?”

“What’s one thing you’ll remember from today’s session?”

“When you look around, what makes this feel special?”

“What small detail has caught your eye this weekend?”

“What moment reminded you why you came?”

“How would you describe the spirit of Greenbelt in your own words?”

Let us know if you have questions…

Thanks for reading. Thanks for volunteering. Have an amazing Greenbelt.
Read More
Key Contacts & Communications
Communication at the Festival during the event is generally best by radio. Some Mobile Phone networks have poor coverage at Boughton, and often the mobile phone masts get overloaded. Each of our venues has a dedicated Walkie Talkie Radio.

Our Walkie Talkie radios have repeaters and cover the whole site. Your first port of call for live issues will be Control and Front Desk (on Radio Channel 1). For contributor or show issues, please contact the Programming Office (on Radio Channel 4). As part of the Programming stream of Festival Operations, we normally keep our walkie talkie on Radio Channel 4.

For team related issues or to escalate any other issues, contact the Hosting Team Leaders, by radio (on Radio Channel 4). The WhatsApp Group can be used for slow questions.

For issues related to the Audio and Visuals in your venue, please call Host Tech, by radio (on radio (Channel 4).

We have a further allocated channel – Channel 6, which we will use for longer conversations. The protocol would be to call the person you want a conversation with (eg Hosting Team Leaders or Host Tech) and once communication has been established ask if they can move to Channel 6. Once they have agreed to move to channel 6, turn the channel selector to 6, pause to ensure there is no conversations already happening on that channel, and then carry on your conversation. Don’t forget when you have finished your conversation to move back to Channel 4. (NB: In the unlikely event that there is a problem with the Radio Repeaters, Channel 6 becomes the backup for Channel 1 (Ops) and then we won’t be able to use this option, go back to Channel 4)

If you are operating the venue as a one hander, then please keep your radio on during the gaps between the shows, in case the Programming Team need to inform you about another show, or a late contributor. During the show, please turn your radio off. If there is a message for your venue when your radio is off the Team Leaders or Host Tech will pick up the message and pass it on.

If you are operating the venue as a two (or three) hander, then during the time when your venue is open to the public please ensure that one member of the host team has the radio on and is wearing an earpiece.

Please try not make announcements and introduce contributors from the stage wearing your radio or with your radio on – this is not good festival etiquette as there can be a lot of chatter and you can easily become distracted – which then in turn is distracting for the Greenbelters.

If you need to make a call Wait for free airspace before transmitting. Your Team Leaders and Programming will likely be on Channel 4, Control and Front Desk are on Channel 1.

As we are an essential team in the programming of the festival, you will be given access to the site Wi-Fi. Please do not share the password with anyone outside of our team, as there is only a small bucketful of internet available at the site, and this bucketful already has to go around lots of operational teams, and thinning it out further makes it more difficult for all our operational and programming teams. We are one of only a few teams that get’s access to the Wi-Fi.
Read More

Who to contact

	Who	Via
Generally	Control	Radio #1
Emergency (Fire, injured person)	Control	Radio #1
Lost or Found Child	Control	Radio #1
Advice/Support/other Host related issue	Host Team Leaders	Radio #4
Stewarding issue	Zone Co-ordinators	Radio #1
Problems with the venue structure or equipment	Production	Control (Radio #1) or Front Desk (Walk in)
Artist/Contributor issue	Programming office	Radio #4
Noise issues	Noise team	Control Radio #1
Safety Problem	H&S Team	Control Radio #1

Host
Host
[hōst]

noun
a person who receives or entertains other people as guests

verb
act as host at (an event) or for (a television or radio program).
Read More
Venue Folder
Each of our venues will have a Venue Folder, These will be made available to the Venue Hosting Teams at our briefing sessions.

In the Folder you will find (if appropriate):
- A copy of this guide.
- Venue Technical Specification and requests from Contributors/Artists
- Information on the Contributors that will be appearing in your venue, including their preferred pronoun.
- Paper Show Reports forms (for those who can’t access the online version, or if there is a problem).
- Host Shift Handover Form
- PRS forms
- Safe festival Reporting Card
- Venue Checklist
- Found and Lost Children Card
- Hosts Feedback Form
Every performance in your venue needs a Show Report. It’s how the office learns what worked and what didn’t, and it’s the record we lean on if a contributor or Greenbelter later raises a complaint about a show or venue — we can check back and see whether the issue was flagged at the time.

Show reports have moved online this year. Volunteers file them from their own phones through the Programming app while on the festival WiFi. In each Venue Folder you’ll find a printed cheat sheet with the app URL and a QR code. The full guide will be available on the WhatsApp group.

Paper forms are a backup only — use them if the online version isn’t working. A few are kept in the folder for that reason. Any paper reports go to the Hosting Team Leaders Office once a day, at 9am or 6pm.

Deadlines

The online form stays open past the show, but not indefinitely:
- Shows scheduled before 9pm — reportable until midnight the same day
- Shows scheduled after 9pm — reportable until midday the following day
The app works offline

If the festival WiFi drops, reports queue on the volunteer’s phone and sync automatically when they reconnect. Audience photos are the only exception — they need WiFi to upload, but can be added later from the My Reports tab once you’re back on site.

What to write

Include both positive and negative feedback, and anything worth noting overheard from the audience. Context matters here — if one vocal complainer claims the audience didn’t enjoy a set but the wider comments were positive, the report puts the complaint in perspective.

Comperes, Host Techs, Stage Managers and Steward Team Leaders can all add comments on a performance — technical issues, audience reaction, anything relevant. But it’s the Host’s responsibility to make sure something gets recorded for every show.

What NOT to use it for

The Show Report isn’t the place to raise an operational problem in real time. Anything that needs sorting on the ground — sound going down, missing crew, a medical issue — should be radioed to Front Desk for the Production team, the Programming Office, the Host Tech team, or the team leaders, in that order.

Once you’ve done that, note it on the report so the office has the trail: what happened, who you contacted, and whether it was resolved.

And a general rule: don’t just log a problem. If it’s something you can act on, try to resolve it first, then record what you did and how it landed. The report is stronger for it, and the office can see the whole picture.

PRS Forms

PRS forms are available for contributors and artists to log their performances of songs. The Hosts will complete the remainder of the form.

Please:
- Look through the folder
- Show it to the other Venue Hosts in your team
- Keep it in the venue at all times
- Use the info sheets to check each contributor has what has been agreed for them (contact programming if there is anything missing, remembering often there is a balance of some equipment arriving “just in time” as they are used elsewhere on site)
- Complete checklists and forms
- Return it to front desk at the end of the festival.
Read More
Duty Venue Host
There should always be a Venue Host in the venue when it is open to the public. Whoever is acting as the Duty Venue Host in the venue must wear the Venue Host identification lanyard at all times. This ensures swift identification of the Host during an emergency. It helps the Duty FOM, or Incident Commander find you.

Do not take Venue Host identification lanyard out of the venue when you are not on duty.

You also do not need to wear your hi-vis on show days when you are off duty.
Read More
Meeting up with your Team Leaders
In previous years we have offered Daily Meetings during show times at specific times.

As Hosting Teams have grown more confident in resolving their own issues this has become largely unnecessary, so we dropped it in 2025.

However, the Hosting Team Leaders are available during the day, and can be called on the Radio on Channel 4, and either come to your venue for a meeting or arrange a one-one meeting with a team member at the Hosting Base.

The Hosting Base is on the Greenbelt Map at 44a, just behind the Programming Office at the top of the Hurried Over.

The What3Words is ///whizzing.tell.dressings
Read More
Complaints
In many cases the Venue Host will be the face of Greenbelt in that space and accordingly from time to time may be required to handle, in the first instance, public relations issues that arise.

In these cases, the Host should not give opinion on the contents of the programme or any other comments but should take note of any concerns, state politely that they will be passed on and if further comments are required direct the member of the public to the Info Booth/Festival Reception. (See also the Volunteers Handbook).

Remember, someone complaining about the content may be a member of the press looking for an ‘Official Greenbelt Management comment’ and an unguarded sympathetic agreement could be turned into something else!
Read More
Facilitating the Programme
Venues host (most of) the Programme at Greenbelt and are the place where contributors and Greenbelters get to share the joy of the festival through talks, music and much more. Venue Hosts have a key role in making that happen.

Key Points:
- If there is a change to the programme, contact the Programming Office urgently and Event Control who can help publicise the change.
- Be polite and helpful to all contributors, even when telling them they have overrun and must stop! Most Greenbelters come to the festival to see and hear the contributors and we want to make the experience the best for everyone.
- Welcome contributors make sure that they are comfortable and have the things they need – check with the Programming Office if there are any questions.
- Contributors have been given every opportunity to advise Greenbelt of their technical needs, and Greenbelt will have advised if their technical need will be provided.
- If a contributor requests something that they have not previously requested or been advised that is available, please do not make any promises. Call in this request to the programming office via Channel 4 on the radio, who will advise if there is a possibility of this being provided. Our Host Tech team may also be able to help with this.
- Your contributor will have been given a Greenbelt water bottle in the Green Room on arrival, we are not able to provide water in every venue. (Refreshments for volunteers are available from the Volunteers Lounges. The closest one to us is Volunteer Lounge 2, behind No Fly Zone)
- In previous years some venues have had ‘comperes’. This year only The Glade Stage, and the Canopy and have Comperes. In your venue you will be responsible for helping the audience get in, passing on key Greenbelt messages and introducing the contributor(s). There are some key events when you may have someone to introduce or handle Q&A, especially for contributors that we might be expecting awkward questions for.
- Greenbelt aims to keep everyone up to date on all the latest information. This will usually be done by the Venue Host, who will be required to make announcements from the stage. The Host Team Leaders will keep you informed of any key messages that need to be delivered.
Read More
Introducing
How to make an introduction

Greenbelt describes itself on its website as ‘somewhere that welcomes absolutely anyone and everyone. Particularly those of us who sometimes feel like we don’t belong anywhere else.’

Our job as hosts is to be the embodiment of that, the face of the festival the people who welcome everyone. We hold the responsibility to welcome and introduce our guests/ artists/speakers to our Greenbelt audience.

Greenbelt audiences are like no other they are often extremely committed both to the festival and to the people they have come to see, they are wonderful, passionate, and diverse. They are not always seasoned ‘festival’ people, some have been coming for years and some are brand new this year. Our job is to welcome all.

So here are a few guidelines – forgive us if you know all this.

Identity

Firstly some notes about identity.

Try not to make any assumptions about people’s gender. You can’t tell someone’s gender or if they identify as non-binary simply by looking at them.

If you’re not sure what pronouns someone uses, ask. Greenbelt asks all our contributors which pronoun they would like us to use- so you will find this in the venue guide notes- but if in doubt ASK. Different non-binary people may use different pronouns. Many non-binary people use “they” while others use “he” or “she,” but they might have another form they wish you to use- a gender neutral or gender inclusive pronoun. Some languages, such as English, do not have a gender neutral or third gender pronoun available, and this is a source of frustration to the transgender and gender queer communities.

Asking whether someone should be referred to as “he,” “she,” “they,” or another pronoun may feel awkward at first, but is one of the simplest and most important ways to show respect for someone’s identity. Just to note although you will occasionally hear the term “preferred pronouns,” it’s not always the best term to use because it implies that a person’s gender is just a preference. So, try not to say, ‘what’s your preferred pronoun?’ but rather, ‘what pronoun should I use to introduce you?’

Non-Binary Defined

Most people – including most transgender people – are either male or female. But some people don’t neatly fit into the categories of “man” or “woman,” or “male” or “female.” For example, some people have a gender that blends elements of being a man or a woman, or a gender that is different than either male or female. Some people don’t identify with any gender. Some people’s gender changes over time. People whose gender is not male, or female use many different terms to describe themselves, with non-binary being one of the most common. Other terms include genderqueer, agender, bigender, and more. None of these terms mean exactly the same thing – but all speak to an experience of gender that is not simply male or female.

You don’t have to understand what it means for someone to be non-binary to respect them. Some people haven’t heard a lot about non-binary genders or have trouble understanding them, and that’s okay. But identities that some people don’t understand still deserve respect.

Non-binary people are nothing new. Non-binary people aren’t confused about their gender identity or following a new fad. Some, but not all, non-binary people undergo medical procedures to make their bodies more congruent with their gender identity.

Most transgender people are not non-binary. While some transgender people are non-binary, most transgender people have a gender identity that is either male or female and should be treated like any other man or woman.

Being non-binary is not the same thing as being intersex. Intersex people have anatomy or genes that don’t fit typical definitions of male and female. Most intersex people identify as either men or women. Non-binary people are usually not intersex: they’re usually born with bodies that may fit typical definitions of male and female, but their innate gender identity is something other than male or female.

How to say hello to your crowd/ audience

When greeting or making first ‘contact’ with those in your venue please do not use “Ladies and Gentlemen”. Find something that feels comfortable to you, The London Underground recently changed all its announcements that used to start, Ladies and Gentlemen to ‘Everyone’. But you could try, ‘friends’ or ‘greenbelters’ or my favourite, ‘hello lovely people who have found their way into (insert name of venue) tonight. Or ‘welcome, hello fabulous (insert name of venue) folks’.

You could try Y’all– but if you aren’t from the Southern States of the USA you might sound odd. Practice with your family or friends and see what works for you!

I know some people use ‘ guys’ but that is still gendered so try not to.

If you are in a venue where things are recorded, don’t stress we will cover how to do this well in training.

Making an Introduction

Always check before making an introduction if there is anything in particular the person wants you to say, or not say. Always say what a privilege/joy/honour/great opportunity/blessing etc etc it is to have the person/act at the Festival. Remember that the festival is curated with great care and the person/act has been chosen and sought out for a reason, if you can’t work out what that is, please ask your Team leaders ahead of time and we will get you more details.

Remember you might be being recorded and will be at the start of this input out in the world wide web speaking as Greenbelt.

Hosting a Q&A

Remember that on hosting a Q&A and identifying people to ask a question you shouldn’t assume. So, don’t say. ‘The lady at the back in the pink sweater has a question’ because you don’t know they are happy to be identified that way. Instead use ‘person’ or ‘Greenbelter’.

Remember too that Greenbelt is a festival that promotes justice, your job is to ensure a fair representation of voices. To that end, be mindful of the balance of questions, aim to hear from a variety of voices, even if that means prioritising those who raise their hands after others or asking if there are people who haven’t spoken yet to speak.

Phrases like, ‘is there anyone with an opposing view who might like to ask a question?’ or ‘is there any younger Greenbelter who might like to ask a question? Or ‘just to remind folks that this a time for questions rather than comments, does anyone have a question they would like to ask?

Use your eyes and wisdom and search out those usually under heard in our society, look for a variety of ethnic and racial heritage, a variety of cognitive and physical abilities, a variety of age and ‘churchpersonship’.

Your job is to keep the Greenbelt artist, and the Greenbelt audience ‘safe’ while also allowing deep debate and conversation between those with contradictory convictions. If at any time you feel things are getting unsafe stop the conversation. You can take a note of the contact details of people and promise them you will refer them to the Greenbelt Staff through Phil or Jude and someone will get in touch with them.
Read More
Health & Safety
As volunteers at a festival we all hold some responsibility for Health & Safety and for ensuring that the venue runs safely for all to enjoy. To this end we are partly responsible for identifying and managing risks. As part of Greenbelt’s legal responsibilities and licence conditions, a risk assessment will have been prepared prior to the festival and as the Venue Host you must help manage risks in the venue. Help is available on this from the Safety Team who were involved in preparing the Assessments.

At any festival, fire is always a very specific area of risk especially with the use of candles and such like. The Venue Host is responsible with the stewards on site for checking fire safety is always fully considered including keeping fire exits visible and unobstructed and overseeing the venue capacity limits (stewards will manage this in most venues with capacities). Noise management is important to ensure noise levels are not dangerous for volunteers and festivalgoers. Noise levels will be checked by the noise team throughout the weekend. They are there to help you and provide advice.
Read More
Your Venue Risk Assessment
Your venue will have been subject to a risk assessment as part of the overall site risk assessment process. There will not be the venue specific risk assessments. Members of the safety team will risk assess the structures, visit and inspect the venues and set capacities in venues that need them. Each contributor booked by the Programming Team, will have submitted a risk assessment which will highlight to the Safety Team any hazardous issues. They will ensure these have been addressed and the Safety Team will attend if they still have any concerns.

In the Venue Folder is a safety checklist. Use it to check your venue each day, ticking each item as Yes, No or Not applicable. If there is anything that needs resolving, write it down on the back of the form and contact whoever is most appropriate to sort it out. If help or advice is needed contact the Safety Team.

The first Host in each venue, each day should check the venue to ensure nothing is missing and there are no signs of anything being tampered with. Review the venue – are there any hazards that were not foreseen? If so, please inform the Safety Team (either directly, or bring it to the Venue Host Briefing on Thursday) before your venue opens.

Before the Festival starts, a member of the Safety Team will visit or will have visited your venue to ensure that there are no unexpected hazards or issues. This is part of the overall site checklist, so don’t worry if you have not seen them.

Remain vigilant and always look out for further hazards that may develop over the weekend. Make sure contributors comply with agreements (e.g. no use of candles/smoke machines etc, unless previously agreed and method and scope of use to be as per approval).

There will always be one of the Safety Team available to give advice, they can be contacted on radio, via Control or through Front Desk (Channel 1). If you have any questions or are in doubt, please ask – the Safety Team is there to support you.

The stability of the tented structures often depends on the side panels. If you want to take down a side panel to get better ventilation or change an entrance, please request this with Production (via Control – Channel 1).
Read More
Stopping A Show
Hosting Handbook – Stopping a Show Policy: Venue Host Overview

At Greenbelt, stopping a show is a rare but necessary action that can be taken to protect people’s safety, uphold individual rights, and safeguard the festival’s values. This policy is in place to guide you, as a venue host, through such situations with clarity, compassion, and confidence.

When Can a Show Be Stopped?

There are three main categories where a show stop might be needed:
1. Performer-Led Requests – A performer may ask for a show to pause or stop if they experience a conflict of privacy, ethics, or values—especially in live-streamed or recorded settings. These requests should always be taken seriously. Pause recordings immediately, escalate the concern to senior staff, and avoid continuing unless the issue is resolved.
2. Safety and Wellbeing Risks – Shows must stop immediately in case of serious risks such as fire, extreme weather, medical emergencies, or unsafe audience behaviour. This aligns with the wider Event Safety Plan and takes precedence over all other concerns. See our section on Initiating Emergency Action for an Emergency Show stop and Evacuation – https://www.greenbelt.org.uk/hosting-handbook/#!initiating-emergency-action
3. Reputational or Ethical Breaches – If a performance breaches safeguarding expectations, promotes hate speech, or clearly undermines Greenbelt’s values, a show stop may be justified. Hosts are not expected to make these judgement calls alone—always involve Programming or Operations Managers.
Who Can Stop a Show?

Only authorised personnel (POMs, FOMs, Noise Team, and designated Greenbelt staff) carry Show Stop cards to formally halt a performance. To initiate a stop, they will present their card to the Venue Host to coordinate a safe shutdown as described in the policy.

However, Venue Hosts retain full authority to stop a show immediately in an emergency or for urgent safety concerns without needing a card.

What to Do If a Show Stop Is Needed
1. Give a Warning – If there’s time, issue a calm, clear verbal warning to crew or stage teams.
2. Initiate the Stop – Use the Show Stop Card or relay authorisation from Control. Tech teams should mute microphones, halt any recording, and keep safety lighting active.
3. Care for the Artist – Discreetly escort them offstage and explain the situation privately.
4. Communicate with the Audience – Use the “What happened / Why / What you need to do / What happens next” format to explain the pause or stop. This may be done onstage or from the sound desk.
After the Show Stop

Any show stop should be followed by a review to capture learnings. As a host, report what happened to the relevant staff team so it can be logged and discussed. It might be that a staff member has been involved in making the show stop call with the host – in which case, a joint note of the incident should be captured.

This policy ensures shows are paused only when absolutely necessary—and that any pause or stop is handled with respect, professionalism, and a shared commitment to care and justice.
Read More
Fire Safety
Please note the following:
- Fire Exits must be easily openable and free from obstruction.
- Fire Exit Signs must be visible and where appropriate remain illuminated.
- Fire Extinguishers must be kept in the correct location (never used to prop open doors) and visible.
- Fire Blankets must be positioned/hung in the correct manner so that the pull cord is easily accessible.
- Hangings (banners, drapes etc.), must be correctly fire rated or treated with Fire Retardant. If you are unsure, please contact the Safety Team.
The Host has responsibilities within the evacuation procedure and hence it’s crucial that you’re fully aware of your role. In the event of an emergency (unless a FOM or the Fire Crew are in attendance) the Host is responsible for stopping any performance, facilitating a swift and safe evacuation and ensuring Event Control have been notified. (See the Section – “Initiating Emergency Actions”)

Following an evacuation, the Host must be aware of the strict procedures regarding who is authorised to give the all-clear and allow re-entry to the venue. You must only allow people back in when given the go ahead by the Greenbelt Fire team.

Whether evacuated for a fire or any other reason Event Control must be informed and told when the venue is open again.

Smoking and vaping are not allowed in any enclosed venue.

The Venue Host and their team must ensure that all rubbish is collected and disposed of at the end of each performance. In the case of venues that are continuously open, this task must be carried out on a regular basis to avoid creating a fire hazard.

Use of Candles and Tea lights

Before candles are used in your venue details of what is planned will have been sent via the Programming Team to the Safety Team to get their approval pre-festival. They will be added to a list that the Fire Safety Team will monitor on site.

Extreme care is always required when using candles or anything hot enough to cause a fire at a festival. As Venue Host, you (and any deputies) need to ensure that contributors in the venue stay within the general or specific usage that has been agreed by the Safety Team.

The guidance from the Safety Team is that candles need to be on a level, non-flammable base that will contain any wax run-off, not near any hangings (fireproof or otherwise), attended at all times they are lit and that means to extinguish them are nearby (e.g. extinguisher or bucket of water etc.). If using a candle stand you will need to ensure that should the stand get knocked over the candle will not come into contact with anything considered to be flammable i.e. the side wall to a tent/marquee – drapes – furnishings – posters etc. Extra care must be taken if using night/tea lights. The surface must be of a non-combustible material i.e. metal tray – marble – stone etc. Never place on wood or plastic

Maximum Capacities

Not all venues will have fixed capacities and the Safety Team will be focusing on optimising venue use. If set, the capacity of a venue, i.e. the number of people allowed in a venue at any one time, is calculated by our Safety Team. This calculation takes into account several factors including the use, amount of floor space available to people inside the venue and the number and width of the fire exits. Please ensure you are aware of the capacity of your venue if it has one. If anything changes in the venue that may affect the calculation, please contact the Safety Team, who are the only people who can advise of a change. If your venue is one of the stewarded venues (or the Zone Co-ordinators tell you that an event will be stewarded) do not start letting people in until the stewards are there.
Read More
Noise
Greenbelt, as part of its licence requirement and duty of care to employees (and volunteers), must ensure noise is managed in two ways:
- That we do not breach the noise levels set down by the council in our licence
- That Noise at Work guidance is followed to ensure safety of staff and volunteers on site.
To make sure that we do not breach our licence we have a Noise team (part of the Safety Team) who spend the weekend measuring noise levels on and off site. The Noise team have to work very closely with the local Environmental Health Officers who patrol to check that Greenbelt is not breaching its licence. If a Noise Team member asks you to turn the volume down or reposition yourself away from a speaker, please do it – the festival is at risk if you do not.

Noise levels – Licence conditions

We have a limit of decibels that we are allowed to reach, and the council sets down the condition that we should measure these levels at regular intervals. Therefore, the combined noise from drums, PAs, mainstage music etc. on the festival site is measured by the Noise Team every 15 minutes. To ensure we stay within our licence please keep the programme in your venue running to time and finished as per the programme.

As Venue Host (unless there is a Stage Manager) you are responsible for ensuring this is enforced. If you need any assistance in this or advice contact the Noise Team via Event Control.

Noise Problems On site

If there are noise issues within programmed venues, please contact the Programming Office and Control. Someone from the Programming office or Noise Team will come and check it out and liaise with Production on the appropriate next steps.

Noise levels – Health & Safety of employees/volunteers

The law changed a couple of years ago and it specifically relates to the entertainment industry. In some venues ear defenders must be worn. The Council can be checking we are complying with the law. The law says the event organisers must designate areas over a certain decibel reading will be voluntary ear protection zones, where ear protection is provided and people on duty are advised to use them, and mandatory ear protection zones where the ear protection must be worn and action must be taken to reduce the exposure of those on duty. The Noise Team will be advising on the zones and actions that can be taken to reduce exposure without spoiling people’s experience of Greenbelt.
Read More
Vomit
If someone vomits in your venue, or just outside, call Control (on Channel 1) and let them know the location. We will have clean up kits and a few volunteers trained to use them to clear up.

Do what you can to keep people away from the affected area to prevent anyone slipping over or spreading it. If you have absorbent material, such as paper towels, to cover it to make it less unpleasant and to stop it spreading, please do so, however the kits have more efficient absorbent material.
Read More
First Aid Treatment and Accidents
It is very important that an accurate record of all accidents is kept, whether involving workers or members of the public, so that we can;
- treat anybody that needs it
- spot trends and improve problem areas
- have details should any future liability arise
If an accident occurs in your venue please ensure that you provide the details to Event Control (via Channel 1) on the radio, even if the injured party does not require further first aid or medical assistance.

After the incident has been resolved, please complete a Safe Festival Campaign Reporting Card for all accidents, incidents and near misses. Copies of the form are held in your Venue Folder.
Read More
Venue Clearance
Greenbelt operates a Free-Flowing Venue Policy now. This means, unless specifically stated, festivalgoers are free to enter and leave venues as they desire, and we do not clear the venues between sessions.

An assessment will have been made at a discussion between the Programming Team, Venue Hosts Team Leaders and the Village Team Leaders before the festival starts. Any decision to clear the venue will be communicated to relevant teams before the event.

If there are concerns just before or during an event the Venue Host (Host) and the Venue Steward Team Leader at the venue should agree that the venue needs to be cleared when one or more of the following criteria is met. This should be communicated immediately to Control and the Host team leaders and if there is any doubt a decision can be made then by the Duty Ops Manager (DM) in consultation with Programming.

The criteria are:
- If what appears to be two popular events, follow one another closely in the same venue. (This will have been identified pre-festival and indicated in your venue Folder)
- If there is a need by the artist to have a clear space to get in or get out. (This will have been identified pre-festival and indicated in your venue Folder)
- If a venue becomes too hot or not enough ventilation to cool it down between events.
- If there is a lot of equipment in the venue and no-one available as security to keep an eye on it.
- Other emergency extenuating circumstances decided by the Duty Manager.
In this unusual circumstance, it would be preferable to make the decision prior to an event starting when an announcement can be made to warn those in the venue that it will be cleared before the next event. The Hosts/Stewards should then inform any latecomers that the venue is being cleared at the end of the current event.

If it becomes apparent during an event for safety reasons that the venue will need to be cleared once that event is finished and the Host, Stage Manager and Village Team Leader (Venue Stewards) agree then it should be announced quickly and clearly at the end of the event with an apology that it is unavoidable.

Venue Hosts are asked to keep a record of when they have had to clear venues and why so that the process and criteria can be reviewed after the festival. All other venues should run their programmes without clearing between acts/events, except in emergency or other extenuating circumstances.
Read More
Host Show Photos
Like last year, Venue Hosts are asked to take photos of every speaker and talk in their venues.

Because Greenbelt puts on so many talks, our photography team can’t cover them all. With your help, we can make sure the whole talks programme is represented. Your photos will ensure smaller speakers aren’t missed, and they’ll also help the programming team — who can’t always be in the venues — reflect on audience size and popularity.

Please take photos even if an official photographer is present. The photography team has produced a short guide on what to capture (orientation, quantity and quality) and will also give an in-person briefing before the festival.

There are two ways to upload your photos this year:-

Show Report System – in the new Show Report System, there is an upload photo section that allows you to upload a photo alongside the show report.

However, if you have taken multiple photos, then it will be easier to upload your photos here: https://www.dropbox.com/request/9xy6t0x14z9j92uy18bb

Please upload all photos by Tuesday 15 September.

Read More
ETHANE Messaging
ETHANE Messaging

When messaging about an incident to Control, you are likely to be asked to change to a different channel to give the details.

We are now using the ETHANE protocol, and you will be guided through the information required using the table below.

Read More
AAA, Trustees & Backstage Passes
Access All Area (AAA) ID badges have been distributed to a small number of staff, contractors and team leaders. Please allow these people swift entry into your venue as they will have a good reason to require access.

Festival Trustees need to be able to access venues (even busy ones) so that they can experience the festival content and be best placed to help guide and direct for the future. So, please ensure that if a lanyard badge says TRUSTEE on it, they are to be permitted access into the venue.
Read More
Considering accessibility
We are constantly trying to improve the accessibility of the festival and Venue Hosts play an important role in ensuring that we keep venues and events as accessible as possible. This involves considering the layout, avoiding trip hazards, providing good sight lines, assisting persons with specific needs and so forth.

What do we mean by disability?

The popular perception that people with disabilities (disabled people) always use wheelchairs is inaccurate. Disabilities include:
- Sight impairments including blindness
- Hearing impairments and Deaf people
- Physical / mobility impairments
- Asperger’s or other Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Autistic Spectrum Conditions (ASC)
- Learning disabilities
- Mental ill health
- Medical conditions
What does the Disability Discrimination Act mean for Greenbelt venues?

Where a physical feature makes it impossible or unreasonably difficult for disabled customers to make use of a service offered to the public, service providers (which includes Greenbelt) have to take measures, where reasonable, to
- Remove the feature, or
- Alter it so that it no longer has that effect, or
- Provide a reasonable means of avoiding the feature, or
- Provide a reasonable alternative method of making the service available to disabled people.
Physical features are defined as ”anything on the premises arising from a building’s design or construction or the approach to, exit from or access to such a building; fixtures, fittings, furnishings, equipment or materials and any other physical element or quality of land in the premises – whether temporary or permanent”.

Things for you to look out for:

Trip Hazards

All access routes within the venue should be kept clear and uncluttered. In particular, be aware of trailing cables to microphones, power supplies etc. Ensure that all guy ropes, pegs, poles, stages and microphone stands etc., are clearly marked and clearly visible/ detectable by someone using an assistance dog / white cane / mobility aid. If you are concerned about the safety of anything, e.g. if several people seem to trip in the same place and you can’t sort it yourself, contact Control or Front Desk (radio Channel 1) straight away and ask them to get a member of the Safety Team to get in contact with you. Please make use of the Handover Sheet in the Venue Folder (Folder) to pass on any initial concerns, so that small problems are not allowed to escalate.

Sightlines

Sightlines are important to everyone and particularly people with visual impairments; wheelchair users; and Deaf people who will need to be able to see the Sign Language Interpreter clearly as well as the speaker / presentation / …

Please be aware that people with Visual Impairments may need differing sightline requirements depending on the nature of the impairment.

Lighting

Please be aware of flickering lights and talk to Front Desk (radio Channel 1) to have them sorted – flickering lights can adversely affect a number of people – people with epilepsy, people with an ASC, people with a visual impairment.

Participation

Please talk to contributors to determine whether there will be any audience participation, and either announce / ask the contributor to announce that involvement is voluntary – many with an ASC have problems with ad-hoc involvement (such as shaking hands / sharing the peace)

Gangways – Minimum Clear Width for Single Wheelchair

The minimum clear passage width for a single wheelchair passage is 32 inches (815 mm) at a point for a maximum depth of 24 inches (610 mm).

Vulnerability and Risk Awareness

People with mobility, sensory or learning disabilities are especially at risk in the event of an emergency requiring evacuation. Try to ensure that you and the stewards have an overall awareness of ‘who is where’ in your venue, while still treating individuals with respect and dignity at all times. Don’t assume that all people can follow your spoken instructions or that they understand the seriousness of what is happening.

Queuing and Priority Access to Venues

If your venue / event has a queue forming, ensure that anyone who clearly has difficulty walking / standing / pushing a wheelchair etc., is not forced to snake endlessly as part of the queue. If they are beyond the likely capacity of the venue advise them early on that they are too late. If they are within the capacity, please allow them into the venue without queuing.

People with disabilities

Disabled people may have companions with them at Greenbelt who help them get about etc. Whilst the individual may be quite confident and OK in the event on their own, they may have arranged for their companion to find them again at a certain time. Accordingly, a companion may ask for entry into your venue to meet back up with their associate. Please work with the Venue Stewards in accommodating this. Remember to always speak directly to the disabled person about how they can be assisted, not automatically their companion.
Read More
Security
Greenbelt Festival has detailed procedures and protocols for dealing with minor and major incidents, and threats to public security.

The responsibilities of Venue Hosts are

1) to make Control aware of any dangers, emergencies, threats or suspect packages and
2) stopping the performance and evacuating the venue if requested, or the safety of Greenbelters demands it. (The Emergency Teams or Festival Operations Managers take charge if they are present).

The Venue Host is also responsible for the security of the venue and its contents, ensuring that out-of-hours it is closed as appropriate and that valuable items are secured.

The night security stewards do make sporadic checks out of hours, but we’d recommend you don’t leave valuable/easily portable items lying around. The night stewards tell us that it is amazing how often marquees are found with one or more of the entrances left partially or fully unsecured, flapping in the night breeze inviting anyone to enter. If you have trouble closing your venue, please contact Front Desk and they will send a member of Production to secure it.

Please note that the Festival Licence does not allow persons to sleep in any venue. If you have any specific concerns regarding security, please contact the Venue Hosts Team Leaders. We do everything that we can to ensure that the Festival is as crime free as possible, but we do need your support and assistance to do this. Should you become aware of any thefts please inform Event Control.
Read More
Initiating Emergency Action
The HOST has responsibilities within the evacuation procedure and hence it’s crucial that you’re fully aware of your role. In the event of an emergency the Host is responsible for stopping any performance, facilitating a swift and safe evacuation and ensuring Event Control have been notified. (The Emergency Teams or Festival Operations Managers take charge if they are present)

Work with Stage Managers and Stewards in your venue to make the area safe, evacuate if necessary and contact Event Control.

Make yourself familiar with your exit routes and where they lead to before you open. Direct the public away from the emergency otherwise they will tend to go out the way they came in.

If trained and it is safe to do so use one of the fire extinguishers in the venue to extinguish small fires, once the immediate area has been evacuated.

Many stewards are also trained to use extinguishers.

All extinguishers are red but have a coloured label on them:
- CO2 (black) – electrical.
- Powder (blue) – petrol, solvent, paint.
- Water (red) – paper, fabric.
- Foam (cream) – petrol, oil, paints, gases.
Whether evacuated for a fire or any other reason, or if the fire has been put out locally, Event Control must be informed and told when the venue is open again.

Evacuation Announcements

The following list of suggested announcements is not intended to be a definitive list and any announcement should therefore be tailored to the specific incident concerned. However, best practice, in the event of an evacuation being necessary, is to ensure that any announcement is clear and concise and is delivered in a calm and authoritative manner.

Any evacuation announcement should be made using any available means whether that is the Public Address (PA) system within a venue or megaphone in an open area. It is best delivered by someone used to public speaking such as the Compere or Venue Host as appropriate. Below is a list of suggested announcements: –‐
- In the event of a pending evacuation of a discreet area of the site, the following message might be appropriate: —
  Attention please, attention please. We are investigating a situation. It may be necessary to evacuate the area. Please await further announcements
- In the event of a full evacuation of an area of the event site, or venue within the site, this is a typical message that may be broadcast: —
  this is a safety message. In the interests of audience safety, you are required to leave the area/venue immediately. Please leave via the nearest exits
- In the event that the venue/area is unlikely to restart the following message may be broadcast: —
  this is a safety message, due to circumstances beyond our control we are sorry to announce that it will not be possible to proceed with the planned entertainment. Please follow the instructions issued by the event stewards.
Following an evacuation, the Host must be aware of the strict procedures in regard to who is authorised to give the all-clear and allow re-entry to the venue. You must only allow people back in when given the go ahead by the Greenbelt Fire team.
Read More
End of Shift/Day
At the end of each shift, please:-
- Ensure show reports have been completed on the Show Reports App, (or on paper if not accessible).
- Ensure checklists in the Venue Folder (Folder) are complete
- Complete Handover with the next Host – Either by filling in the hand over sheet or verbally.
At the end of the day in your venue, please:-
- Leave the lanyard clipped into the Venue Folder.
- Secure your venue (some venues may need assistance in closing – if help is needed call Control).
- Advise Programming Office that your venue is closed.
- Return your radio to Front Desk.
Read More
End of Festival
At the end of the festival the Venue Hosts are responsible for ensuring the venue is cleared up, rubbish disposed of, kit returned. If you cannot do this, find someone who can!

To prevent things going missing after the festival:
- Return your Venue folder to Front Desk
- put all rubbish in bin bags and leave in one corner clearly labelled ‘rubbish to be thrown away’.
- anything that has to go back to the GB office in London, should also be clearly labelled, and taken to Front Desk on site.
- anything that is to be collected by courier should be clearly labelled and addressed and taken to Festival Reception.
Read More
Your important feedback
Venue Hosts are in a unique position to provide feedback on both the physical/operational side of the festival and the programming. Accordingly, Venue Hosts are encouraged to integrate with wider Greenbelt structures and facilitate communication in all directions.

Please fill in the Hosts Feedback form in the Folder and also keep a record of how full the venue is each event using the Show Report System, or on the Show Report form, also in the Folder. This year the Show Report can be used to record feedback from Comperes, Steward Team Leaders and Hosts so make sure they all know where the Venue Folder is.

If you are the last Host on shift in your Venue at the end of the Festival, please make sure the Folder is returned to Front Desk before you leave. Specific feedback about venues and venue management can also be emailed to the Hosting Team Leaders.

Feedback is also needed after the festival on general issues so we can make the operation smoother year on year, and on attendance at events to help the programming group plan for next year.
Read More
Introduction
Greenbelt has a variety of venues open to the public. To ensure that the programme is running smoothly and compliant with health and safety requirements, we designate in our venues a person as Host to look after a venue, when the venue is open.

This role requires you to be the face and voice of Greenbelt in a venue. You will be working with contributors and with Greenbelters to ensure that both feel valued and have an excellent Greenbelt experience. You will be putting across the messages of the festival with more than your words – but your words are vital. You may be introducing contributors, making announcements, liaising with Zone Coordinators and stewards all with an eye to making Greenbelt as safe, as accessible to navigate, and as enriching for everyone on site as it can possibly be. Your team leaders will make sure you have all the information you need and update you as necessary. You will also be responsible for providing vital feedback on sessions to the programming team

As the person responsible for the venue, you will be helping coordinate all these elements, making sure the Greenbelters enjoy the experience of being in your venue, ensuring the programme runs smoothly and that everyone is safe.

Things don’t always run smoothly but the Host is also there to help get things back on track. There are teams there to help you do all this and this guide should let you know who they are and how to prepare for the weekend.

The following guide should be read in conjunction with the Greenbelt Volunteer Handbook.
Read More
Hosting Team
Each of our venues will have its own hosting team. Also part of the hosting team will be the Host Tech a roving team of technical experts on hand to sort out all those tricky technical bits and pieces. Some venues will also have Stewards allocated for each show, some will have stewards at busy periods, and some won’t need stewarding. Some venues will also have people recording the events happening in them. Treat everyone in the venue as part of Greenbelt and part of the Hosting Team.
Read More
Hosting Team Leaders
The Hosting. Host Tech and Compering Teams are managed by the Hosting Team Leaders.

The Hosting team leaders for 2026 are:
- Jude Levermore Co-Leader – Hosting Team Comperes & GB Messaging
- Phil Warrey Co-Leader – Hosting Team Host teams & Admin
- Dave Hardman Co-Leader – Hosting Team First Time Hosts
- Joshua Cullum Co-Leader – Hosting Team Host Tech
- Megan Rock – Host Tech Deputy Team Leader
Read More
First Time Hosts
Following on from our successes in recruiting and training new hosts in the past couple of years we have again recruited a number of First Time Hosts. Dave Hardman will be supporting and mentoring the first-time hosts. Each of our first-time hosts will be allocated to a Venue, but we also plan to allow them to take some turns in other venues to increase their experience. Dave will arrange these opportunities.
Read More
Host Tech Team
The Host Tech is led by Josh Cullum, with Megan Rock as Deputy Team Leader.

This team will assist with the PA & tech equipment in our venues both by being rota’ d into some venues to sit at PA working with the Host Teams and Recorded Talks and being on standby to help with Tech and issues in venues that don’t have a rota’d PA person.

Host tech will be available on the radio to come to your assistance for instance when you are faced with…..How do I plug in this electric harp? Can I have another microphone?
Read More
Your Team
One of the lessons learnt from previous years is that we want to ensure that we build positive teams in each of our venues. Most team members will be allocated to one venue and will be in that same venue all weekend. Some of our venues also have Tech Crew, some paid, most volunteers (part of our Host Tech Team), some of our venues will have stewards, some will even have stage managers, some venues have their own contributors team.

One of our venues will even have a dry bar, and another is serving food. What we want to do is to have a positive team ethos, so that all in each venue can work together to make the best positive experience for our Greenbelters and our Artists/Contributors, and especially for our team. We are sure we can all do this; the biggest challenge will be ensuring our stewards (who you may only see for one or half a shift) are welcomed into the team.

There may be several people you are working with as Venue Hosts, including those who may be on shift when you are on a break. Please look out for each other, and if anyone is overwhelmed the Hosting Team Leaders are there to support you, as well as the Volunteer Support Team located in the Volunteers Lounge.

Share work out between the Venue Hosts, so you all get time to:
- Eat
- Sleep
- See some of the festival
If you are worried someone is overdoing it, or not pulling their weight, offer to help them in the first instance but use the Hosting Team Leaders and Volunteer Support if further help is needed.
Read More
Before the festival
Before the Festival
- Complete the Mandatory Greenbelt Training before coming to site, and save the certificate to your phone, or bring a print out to show at Volunteers Reception. (See volunteers email from Caroline)
  
  Order a free parking pass or live in vehicle pass. (See volunteers email from Caroline)
  
  Watch our training videos. (See one of our Hosting Team emails)
  
  Attend the Volunteers Welcome, the Hosts briefing and training. (Check Emails for timings/venues, but generally Wednesday – 4pm Volunteers Welcome, 5pm Hosts Briefing. 8pm Hosting Teams Bring and Share, Thursday 10am Hosts Training )
  
  Collect your venue folder and familiarise yourself with it’s contents.
  
  Get to know the other hosts on your team and create a rota together. Consider holding a zoom call together, your Hosting Teams can help facilitate this.)
  
  Orient yourself with festival locations, Volunteers Lounge, your venue etc. There is an orientation team this year to help you.
  
  Check your venue only when it has been signed off as safe to enter and raise with appropriate people anything missing or not safe. Complete our H&S form in the venue pack.
  
  Ensure you are aware of capacity numbers (if your venue has a specific capacity figure) and evacuation procedures.
Read More
During the festival
During Festival
- Build a positive Team Ethos in your venue.
  
  A Host is to be in venue at all times public are present. First one on shift picks up radio from Front Desk, last one leaving drops radio off to front desk.
  
  Wear the host lanyard, and a burgundy Hi-Vis.
  
  Maintain a Shift/Handover Log to communicate with your fellow hosts.
  
  Using the Checklist in the venue pack, perform visual check of the venue at the start of each day. Report any issues to Front Desk for resolution.
  
  You are responsible with the contributors to maintain the ‘feel’ of the venue and a Welcoming Presence. Welcoming contributors, artists and Greenbelters. You will be the face of Greenbelt in that venue.
  
  Meet & Greet and look after contributor or liaising with Artist Liaison until the show starts.
  
  Liaise with contributors, programming, host tech, comperes, control, production, etc. to ensure event runs smoothly, to time and safely.
  
  Contacting Programming if contributor is late/missing. Notify Programming Team if programme is likely to be delayed.
  
  Liaise with Zone Co-ordinators and stewards, where allocated, who ensure capacity is not exceeded and crowd is managed safely.
  
  Dealing calmly and confidently with issues & incidents during show and if necessary, calling on the Stewards, Zone Co-ordinators or programming team as necessary
  
  In an emergency, stopping the show and assisting with evacuation announcements if necessary.
  
  Liaising with the Zone Co-ordinators & Stewards, assisting with “get in” eg “There’s lots more space in the front”. “Move up a bit closer…” –as normal Perform a “greenbelt shuffle” as necessary.
  
  Welcoming the Audience and Introductions to shows & Greenbelt Announcements and Facilitating Q&A. Thanking Contributor and adverts for book signing, What’s on next etc.
  
  Working with Host Tech, Technicians, Zone Co-ordinators & Stewards to complete the content section of the “Show Report”. Keep record of numbers attending events, notes on each performance and feedback via Hosts Team Leaders. Making PRS forms available from the Venue Folder to artists who have played music.
  
  Liaising with Zone Co-ordinators & Stewards over any clear up.
  
  Seek assistance from Hosting Team Leaders, and Zone Co-Ordinators if problems need escalation.
Read More
Liaison with Greenbelt Teams
Venue Hosts are required to liaise effectively with many other Greenbelt teams including:
1. Event Control
2. Programming Office
3. Front Desk
4. Event Director, Duty Manager & Festival Ops Managers (FOM)
5. Zone Co-ordinators
6. Stewards
7. Safety Team, including Noise
Read More
Programming
The Hosting Team is part of the Programming arm of the festival. The Programming Office is the central hub for all things programme-related at the festival. Any questions relating to Contributors should come to the Programming Office – these may include technical questions, payment queries from contributors, scheduling questions etc. The Programme Office deals with all cash payments for contributors and any questions that the Info Desk needs assistance with.

The Programming Office must be notified of any issues in your venue relating to the smooth running of the programme (i.e., delays in start times, sessions over-running) or contributor experience (missing tech in a venue, any complaints). The office will have answers to any questions you have relating to the programme as they spend all year bringing it together.

The Greenbelt programming staff members are Paul Northup (Creative Director), Joanna Booth (Programming Manager) and freelancer Rachel Lewis (coming into support on programme production in the run-up and on show days) and they work with a small team to keep the office running throughout the festival. The staff are available 24/7 during the festival on the Programming Office radio channel. (Normally on Channel 4 – but check on-site). The Programming Office is based in a portacabin located at the top of the hurried over. The route to the office, will be advised on-site).

Paul Northup

Joanna Booth

Rachel Lewis

In addition, Joanna, as Programming Manager, and the programme office, work closely with two volunteer ‘POMs’ (Programme Operations Managers) – Emma Edwards and Jacqui Short – and they are two more key figures in the mix available to support and troubleshoot for / with you.

Emma Edwards

Jacqui Lawton

Read More
Head of Festival Operations, Duty Manager & Festival Operations Managers
Jess Jones

The member of staff responsible for delivery of the festival and many of the teams, is Jess Jones (Head of Festival Operations). She is a very busy but wonderful person and if she comes into your venue and asks you to do something please do it.

Acting on Jess’s behalf there are six Festival Operations Managers (FOMs) who take turns as the Duty Manager:

Jo Rule

Karen Radcliffe

Nick Singleton

Stuart Radcliffe

Liz Chapman

Ed Walden

They work on a duty system and through the main running hours of the festival at least two will generally be available at any time.

Each one also has areas of specialism and responsibility. The Festival Operations Managers will deal with issues that arise and take control on behalf of the festival, if required.

The Duty Manager has an overall coordination and decision-making role and acts to ensure the various requirements of the festival are met. Again, Control is the best way of getting in touch, as they will know which Operations Managers are currently available and best able to assist you.
Read More
Event Control
If you have a live problem in your venue when it is open to the public that you cannot resolve, e.g. sudden power failure, not enough stewards, etc. please inform Event Control immediately. Also inform Event Control if there is an issue that affects Greenbelt beyond the doors of your venue, e.g. change in location or overspill of crowd.

They will record the problem and pass it on to whoever needs to know e.g. Production, Venue Stewards team etc.

When the problem is resolved, don’t forget to let them know so resources can be directed elsewhere, and we will know things are running smoothly again.

Event Control is operational 24 hours a day from Wednesday at 12pm until Monday morning (outside this time, please contact Production as below).
Read More
Front Desk
Hannah Compton

Front Desk is the reception point for many of the operational teams and has a link to the production office. It is located just outside the Lower Orchard at the back of the Glade Stage. Front Desk is managed by Hannah Compton and her excellent team is there to offer help from lunchtime Tuesday before the festival to early afternoon on Monday as everyone goes home. They open from early morning until late night each day. Make sure you familiarise yourself with where the Front Desk is located and how to get to it.

The team can log any infrastructure/furniture/technical matters you have in your venue, e.g. marquee requires closing at 8pm etc. They know the answers to an amazing range of questions and can also put you in touch with the right people. They are on the site radio network.

This is where you pick up your radio if you are first on shift, and drop off your radio if you are last on shift.
Read More
Zone Co-ordinators

The Zone Co-ordinators will look after the area, health & safety of people in the venues, stewards, and crowds. They will come and introduce themselves to you and you should be able to spot them easily as they wear pink hi-vis.

Read More
Stewards
The primary role of the stewards is crowd management, which includes getting the audience in and out of the venue (including the clicking in and out where necessary for capacity control), dealing with queries from members of the audience and assisting in the event of any problem (e.g. if we need to evacuate the venue for any reason). Most venues are free flowing, to reduce queues, but they will still be busy facilitating the flow of Greenbelters in and out.

The need for a dedicated presence of Stewards will depend on the type of venue and/or event. Even if you do not have stewards permanently designated to your venue, if you think you need them for an event, or see a large queue developing contact the Programming Office we will arrange to provide stewarding for you.

All main and performance style venues will require a stewarding presence whenever they are running. Smaller venues and more laid-back events may not require stewards in permanent attendance throughout. If you are not sure whether a venue or event requires stewarding then please contact the Zone Co-ordinators.

Every now and again something will occur on site that puts a crumple in even the best laid plans and stewards can be delayed in getting to your venue. For venues/events that require stewards in attendance, you absolutely must not commence without stewards present. If they are late arriving either contact your Zone Co-Ordinator or contact Control.
Read More
Safety Team
The Safety Team deals with a variety of issues:
- Fire Safety
- Noise
- Food Hygiene
- Health & Safety
Members of the team will risk assess the structures, visit and inspect the venues and set capacities in venues that need them. Each contributor booked by the Programming Team, will have submitted a risk assessment and the Safety Team will attend if they still have any concerns. If you have any safety concerns the team, although smaller this year, are always happy to visit and discuss with Venue Hosts.
Read More
Hosting Teams Briefing Sessions
To ensure that you are fully aware of your responsibilities, any key changes and vital information, it is essential that all Hosts for programmed venues attend the briefing session on the Wednesday/Thursday before the festival starts.

Prior to coming to site, there is some mandatory greenbelt training that needs to be done, and your certificate saved to your phone or printed, so you can show that you have done this

More information on the Mandatory Training can be found in the Volunteer Handbook here.

At the briefing session, you will be able to meet other Venue Hosts and where you can pick up your Venue Host Lanyard, Venue Folder, Wrist Band, Meal & Drinks Vouchers.

Attending the Host’s briefing is an obligatory part of the Venue Host role. Failure to attend creates an immense amount of extra work for those who then have to catch up with you individually and in the worst case it can result in the delayed opening of your venue. If you absolutely cannot attend personally, please contact the Hosting team leaders.

2026 Briefing Sessions:

Wednesday 26th August – 5pm – Shelter (In the Walled Garden) and
Thursday 27th August – 10am – Shelter (In the Walled Garden)

(See https://www.greenbelt.org.uk/volunteer-handbook/#training-and-support+ )

2026 Social

We are holding a Bring and Share social in the Shelter (in the walled garden) after the training on Wednesday evening. Unfortunately this is only for our team, as access to the site cannot be given to non-volunteers.

Please if you can bring some foods and or drinks to share. (Nothing too messy please, as we have to clean up the space afterwards. Also please bring your own plates, cups, cutlery etc. We have no budget for this.

Briefing Session Programme

The programme for our Briefing Sessions is set out below. Host Tech will be in for some of the sessions, and in their own orientation and training for the remainder of the time.

Wednesday (5:00pm) – Session 1
- Welcome and Venue Team Introductions
- Meet the Team Leaders and Host Tech Team
- Team Icebreaker
- Meet the Programming Team
- Primary Purpose of Hosting
- Working with Host Tech
- Host Tech Breakaway Session
- Greenbelt Messaging
- Working with First Time Hosts
- Making Good Introductions
- End of Day Procedures and Reminders
- Tomorrow’s Briefing and Q&A
- Distribution of Envelopes
Thursday (10:00am) – Session 2
- Welcome Back and Key Reminders
- Rotas Update and Check-in
- Host Tech Session and Questions
- Welfare and Looking After Each Other
- Show Stop Procedures
- ETHANE and Radio Communications Exercise
- Sensitive issues
- Duty Venue Host Responsibilities
- Meet the Programming Operations Managers (POMs)
- Venue Folders
- Show Reports
- Emergency Messaging
- Photography Guidance
- Managing Everyday Venue Issues
- Dealing with Complaints and Media Enquiries
- Questions and Discussion
- Thank You and Festival Preparation
- Site Orientation Walk
- Host Tech Venue Walkthrough
- Venue Checks and Final Preparations
Read More

Jo Rule	Karen Radcliffe	Nick Singleton
Stuart Radcliffe	Liz Chapman	Ed Walden

CONTENTS

Greenbelt’s move and 2027: a quick Q&A briefing for volunteers

Show Reports App

What this is (and what it isn’t)

Getting in

First time — enter your name

Filing a report

Step 1 — pick your venue

Step 2 — pick the show

Step 3 — fill in the form

Step 4 — audience photo (optional)

Multiple reports for one show

My Reports — going back to add photos or comments

Being offline

The buttons on the home screen — what they do

Common questions

The Programming office side

Questions or issues

Heat Exhaustion, Overheating and Fainting

Sensitive programming list – Greenbelt 2026

Hosting Teams – Radio Etiquette

Radio etiquette

Palestine sessions at Greenbelt 2026

ALL WEEKEND – GENERAL MESSAGES

Greenbelt Festival Tone of Voice – A Guide

Greenbelt Festival Tone of Voice – A Guide

Key Contacts & Communications

Who to contact

Host

Venue Folder

Deadlines

The app works offline

What to write

What NOT to use it for

Duty Venue Host

Meeting up with your Team Leaders

Complaints

Facilitating the Programme

Key Points:

Introducing

How to make an introduction

Identity

Non-Binary Defined

How to say hello to your crowd/ audience

Making an Introduction

Hosting a Q&A

Health & Safety

Your Venue Risk Assessment

Stopping A Show

Hosting Handbook – Stopping a Show Policy: Venue Host Overview

When Can a Show Be Stopped?

Who Can Stop a Show?

What to Do If a Show Stop Is Needed

After the Show Stop

Fire Safety

Use of Candles and Tea lights

Maximum Capacities

Noise

Noise levels – Licence conditions

Noise Problems On site

Noise levels – Health & Safety of employees/volunteers

Vomit

First Aid Treatment and Accidents

Venue Clearance

Host Show Photos

ETHANE Messaging

AAA, Trustees & Backstage Passes

Considering accessibility

What do we mean by disability?

What does the Disability Discrimination Act mean for Greenbelt venues?

Trip Hazards

Sightlines

Lighting

Participation

Gangways – Minimum Clear Width for Single Wheelchair

Vulnerability and Risk Awareness

Queuing and Priority Access to Venues

People with disabilities

Security

Initiating Emergency Action