Working 9 to 5 with festivals inbetween

by Annie Leisma

For many cash-ridden students the beginning of the festival season is a time of tough decisions; to pay the rent or invest in a ticket.

If you just can’t find the money but are eager to go, volunteering to work at a festival could be the solution.

Staging a festival is expensive and organisers frequently rely on volunteers to run the practical side of the event in exchange for free entry.

Unfortunately, this doesn’t mean hanging out with the bands in the VIP area.

Instead, there are showers to be cleaned, alcohol enthusiasts to be controlled, not to mention picking up rubbish after the event.

As the summer draws near, most positions may have already been filled, especially those for the biggest and most expensive events.

Glastonbury for instance has become popular because its renewed ticketing system makes it harder to resell tickets, so if you didn’t manage to get one in advance volunteering may well be the best option.

One of the most well-known charities in festivals is Oxfam.

Like most charities, they are offering different ways to volunteer.

Stewarding covers pretty much everything from checking wristbands to basic campsite security.

Staff are also needed to promote the charity’s message by handing out information packages at the festival site as well as selling festival goods.

Working hard

Of course, the main reason for going to a festival is to see your favourite bands and the volunteers are usually guaranteed the opportunity to see their preferred artists.

In exchange for this, they need to work hard – shifts as long as 12 hours are not uncommon.

Matt, (who doesn’t wish to reveal his surname) 24, volunteered as car park staff at Reading last summer.

“I was really skint at the time and I really wanted to go. I had read about volunteering on the internet. It was great on the first day, but in the end I got really tired and struggled to stay awake.”

He enjoyed the festival but is planning to take it easy this summer.

“It was a bit hard last year, because I was partying just as much as my mates, but when they finally got to crash in their tents I had to go and start my shift.”

Matt would still recommend volunteering to other students, just as long as you know what to expect.

“It is not easy, watching other people enjoy themselves while you work. Still, I saw most of the bands I wanted and the atmosphere amongst staff was really good.

Apply quickly

Many charities and festivals have made it easy to apply using online forms found on their websites.

You should also let the organisers know if you have any relevant skills, for example medical training, because there may be better positions available.

However, volunteering has a catch.

While the festival entry and the use of the staff campsite are free, to guarantee that the volunteers show up, most of the charities require a deposit (usually the price of the festival ticket) upfront.

The deposit is refunded after the festival duties have been fulfilled.

There are still some opportunities to volunteer this summer, and you should apply as soon as possible as places are limited.

Before you apply, bear in mind that even though working at the festival site can be lots of fun, it is still a real job.

The employer, as well as your co-workers, will expect you to be attentive while working, because you are not only there to have a good weekend but also to be part of the festival experience of thousands of others -regardless if you are just cleaning toilets or handing out leaflets about global warning.