Site Decor – Make Team Handbook

Make Week takes place before the full site infrastructure is installed. During this period, hot and cold running water is available in the Barn, along with portaloos. However, for the first five days there will be no shower facilities on site.

This means volunteers should expect to use basic campsite washing methods during this time, such as flannel washing or wet wipes. Please bring flannels, towels, wipes, and other personal washing essentials to support comfort and hygiene.

A clothes dryer is available for drying flannels and small items. Please ensure all items placed in the dryer are clearly labelled with your name.

A mobile shower unit with hot water will be available in the camping area by Wednesday evening.

Useful items for showering and washing include a dressing gown, flip flops, and a bag for toiletries and clothing.

As conditions on site may be dusty and working environments can be physically active, it is helpful to plan for both comfort and personal care throughout the day. Simple hygiene routines are encouraged where possible, including regular handwashing, changing clothes, and freshening up daily.

For safety and comfort, volunteers with long hair are required to keep it tied back or secured while working. This helps reduce discomfort and keeps hair safely managed in active and dusty conditions.

Dust and limited washing facilities may also affect hair care routines. Some volunteers choose to use protective styles and bring items such as leave-in conditioner, oils, wide-tooth combs, or satin/silk head coverings to support maintenance during the event.

During the working day, suitable close-fitting clothing should be worn, and long hair must be tied back and kept away from the face.

Volunteers should wear knee-length shorts or full-length trousers made from durable materials such as thick cotton twill or denim. You can purchase these inexpensively from B&Q or Screwfix for example.

Mid-thigh shorts, or those made of light fashion fabrics are not suitable.

Tops should cover the shoulders, back, and midriff to provide better protection when lifting, carrying, or using tools.

Suitable tops include T-shirts, long-sleeved shirts, or sweatshirts that you are comfortable getting dirty while working.

Vest tops are not suitable workshop clothing.

Sturdy, close-toed trainers or walking boots are essential at all times, and steel-toed safety boots are strongly recommended where available. Safety boots can be provided if you do not have your own.

Thicker socks can make boots more comfortable.

You must wear a hi-vis jacket at all times- in the barn, and everywhere on the site day or night. You are required to wear steel toed boots or very sturdy walking boots inside the barn or working outside.

All volunteer makers must wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when using workshop tools or carrying out tasks that may present a risk of injury.

This includes wearing safety glasses or goggles during woodworking, cutting, drilling, sanding, or any activity that may produce dust, debris, or flying particles. It is advisable to wear hearing protection when operating noisy machinery or power tools, or when the working area is noisy.

Volunteers are responsible for ensuring PPE is used correctly and consistently to maintain a safe working environment for everyone.

We have other Personal Protective Equipment – ear plugs, respirator or particle masks, safety specs and gloves and steel toed boots – however if you have your own PPE, please bring them you may find this more comfortable.

The designated first aiders for workshops are:

• Saga
• Peter
• Helen

A qualified first aider will be present in the Barn at all times while the workshop is open.

Minor Injuries

For minor injuries such as small cuts, grazes, splinters or minor burns, participants are encouraged to self-treat where appropriate.

Basic first aid supplies are available in the mirror cupboard in the bathroom in the Barn.

A wall-mounted first aid kit is also available in the Barn in a clearly marked green box.

Please try the mirror cupboard first. The green first aid kit should be kept fully stocked and available for emergencies and more serious incidents.

If you require assistance with minor first aid, please speak to one of the workshop first aiders, who will be happy to help.

More Serious Injuries

For injuries that require more than basic self-treatment, please contact a workshop first aider immediately.

A qualified first aider will be available in the Barn at all times during workshop activities and will assess the situation and provide appropriate assistance.

If further medical attention is required, the first aider will arrange for the participant to be referred to the appropriate medical service or, in an emergency, will coordinate contact with the emergency services.

Emergency Situations

In the event of a very serious injury, illness, or incident requiring an emergency response:

• Call 999 immediately if it is a life threatening emergency.
• Alert a workshop first aider immediately.
• Provide the casualty’s condition and precise location.
• Notify the nearest Team Leader that you have done so.

TEAM LEADERS: anything requiring medic attention let Saga know as soon as is appropriate. If there is an active and ongoing emergency please inform her immediately.

Do not move an injured person unless they are in immediate danger. Always prioritise your own safety.

Illness and Welfare Support

If you become unwell in the campsite or outside workshop hours, please contact Helen.

We will make sure you are cared for and can access appropriate support. Where necessary, a first aider will assess the situation and help determine whether further medical attention is required.

Please let someone know as soon as possible if you are feeling unwell. Early support can often prevent a minor issue from becoming more serious.

If you are seriously unwell, experiencing difficulty breathing, severe allergic reactions, chest pain, loss of consciousness, or any other medical emergency, seek immediate assistance from a first aider and call 999 if required.

Tell someone if any condition is worsening or or causes you concern, or affecting participation – you can always talk to us.

Location Information
A precise location can be provided to Emergency Services using the What3Words app.

Site Entrance: SPROUTS.WRECK.TRACTOR

Barn: PRUNE.DOWN.PILOTS

We provide three meals a day for the Site Decor Team throughout the build period.

A shared kitchen and dining space is set up in the barn, which everyone is expected to help keep clean, tidy, and welcoming for others.

We aim to accommodate dietary requirements wherever possible, provided these have been shared with us in advance via the questionnaire/Google form.
You don’t need to bring any camping catering equipment

We believe that sustainability is not only about the materials we use, but also about how long those materials remain in use, how carefully they are maintained, and how responsibly they are disposed of at the end of their life.

Across all workshop activities, we aim to minimise waste, extend the life of materials through repair and reuse, and reduce our impact on the environment. We encourage everyone working in the workshop to make thoughtful decisions about material use and disposal.

Materials and Waste

Materials should be used carefully and efficiently. We aim to reuse materials wherever possible and encourage thoughtful planning and cutting to minimise waste.

WORKSHOP WASTE
must be separated into the correct waste streams:

• Fabric
• Paper
• Cardboard (boxes)
• Wood (small offcuts and short lengths)
• Sheet materials (plastic, metal, wood)
• Spray cans and paint tins.
• Metal waste (damaged screws etc)
• Floor sweepings
• General workshop waste

Food waste, drinks containers, wrappers, and other kitchen waste must not be placed in workshop bins.

When bins are full, bags should not be overfilled. Full bags should be securely tied, clearly labelled with their contents, and placed in the outside waste store.

KITCHEN WASTE
Additional recycling facilities are available in the kitchen upstairs:

• Food waste
• Soft plastics
• Fabric
• Paper and cardboard
• General non-recyclable waste

Please use the appropriate waste stream wherever possible.

Paint Use and Disposal

We aim to minimise the amount of paint entering the water system. Although acrylic paint is water-based, it contains plastics, pigments, and other materials that can contribute to environmental pollution if washed into drains.

When using paint, only take the amount required for the task and avoid unnecessary waste.

Before cleaning brushes, rollers, trays, or other equipment, remove as much excess paint as possible. Usable paint should be returned to the container where appropriate.

Where practical, small amounts of leftover acrylic paint should be allowed to dry in paint trays. Once fully dry, the paint can be peeled out and disposed of through the appropriate solid waste stream. Liquid paint should never be poured into sinks or drains.

Brushes, rollers, and painting equipment should be cleaned in the designated paint-cleaning buckets rather than directly under running water. These buckets collect paint residues and contaminated wash water throughout the day.

At the end of the working day, the team leader will coordinate the cleaning process and direct the management of the paint-cleaning buckets. Paint solids should be allowed to settle or dry where appropriate, and paint waste should be disposed of through the correct waste stream.

By following these procedures, we can significantly reduce the amount of paint and microplastics entering the water system.

Fabric, Flags, and Material Stewardship

Our festival flags and bunting are part of a long-term, living creative practice built on care, continuity, and reuse.

Some of the flags in use today were first sewn in 2008 and have returned to the festival site every year since. Rather than treating materials as disposable, we prioritise repair, maintenance, and long-term use.

Each season, volunteers sew, mend, repair, and reinstall the flags and bunting by hand. This ongoing care allows materials to remain in active use for many years, reducing the need for replacement and minimising waste.

When damage occurs, we repair wherever possible. When repair is no longer practical, materials are repurposed into new projects. Fabric offcuts and remnants are collected and stored for future creative use, ensuring that materials remain in circulation for as long as possible.

We recognise that one of the most effective ways to reduce environmental impact is to extend the useful life of materials. By keeping fabrics in use for many years, repairing rather than replacing, and finding new uses for damaged materials, we reduce waste while preserving the history and character of the festival.

Our flags are more than decorative objects. They are living materials that carry the story of the festival through time, shaped by the collective care amd creativity of the people who make and maintain them.

Living and working in a field for a week brings a unique set of challenges, including managing periods. The guidance below is designed to help you stay comfortable while also supporting sustainable site management.

We recommend bringing your preferred sanitary supplies with you. However, if you need additional products during the event, a small emergency supply is available in the Mirror Cabinet in the Barn Loo.

During the festival, support is also available from First Aid and the Information Point if required.

Disposal of Sanitary Products
Across the site there are different types of toilets, and disposal options vary.

Portaloo toilets (plastic units)

Sanitary towels may be disposed of in portaloo bins. While tampons and pads can technically be flushed in these systems, we strongly encourage you not to do so. Flushing increases water processing demand after the event and has a greater environmental impact.

Where possible, please wrap sanitary products in toilet paper and dispose of them in the nearest general waste bin.

However, we recognise this may not always be practical, and individual choice should be respected.

Compost toilets (long drops)

Sanitary products must not be placed in compost toilets under any circumstances.

Please wrap products in toilet paper and dispose of them in the nearest general waste bin.

Menstrual Cups (Moon Cups)

For menstrual cup users during Make and Build Week, the Barn has access to plumbed toilets with running water, which can be used for washing and rinsing.

A flask of hot water may also be useful for comfort or cleaning while on site or at camp.

During the festival, there are accessible toilets with running water available on site, which can be used if needed for rinsing.

Please be mindful that these facilities are primarily intended for people with disabilities and access needs, who may not have alternative options. Where possible, use these facilities considerately and avoid unnecessary delay.