Fun in the sun at Glastonbury might seem a world away at the moment, but if you want to enjoy a festival or two completely free, you need to start planning now. Being a charity volunteer will get you into the festival for nothing and you’ll only have to work a few shifts – then you can enjoy the music with everyone else!

• Working for Oxfam
• Other volunteer positions
• Camping gear bargains

Working for Oxfam

Oxfam’s presence at summer festivals is huge. They need thousands of volunteers to steward, campaign and run their shops at festivals from Glastonbury to Latitude and everything in between.

Volunteering will mean you work shifts (which vary depending on the festival – for Glastonbury it’s three shifts of eight hours during or before the five day festival) and in return you get a free ticket, hot showers, hot food and an exclusive staff camping area.

Campaigning will require you to promote and co-ordinate fun initiatives and activities, encourage people to take part, sign petitions and get involved with Oxfam’s work.

They also employ people to be stewards. Their role is to keep people safe and main duties will include checking tickets, directing people away from restricted areas and helping with car parking. As a steward, you are required to work three shifts of 8 and a quarter hours each.

One will be in the morning, one in the afternoon/evening and one overnight. You need to make sure that you’re available to work not only for the duration of the festival but also before and after, as stewards are needed for setting up and clearing away.

Make sure you check out the specified dates for stewards. If you have been a steward with Oxfam in the last three years then you are eligible for a priority application. You’ll be sent an application e-mail when this process opens at the end of February. Applications for those who haven’t stewarded before open mid-March, so keep an eye on the Oxfam website for updates.

Oxfam predict that the festivals will once again want to increase numbers of stewards, so there’s a great chance of getting a place.

You’ll only be able to apply online and applications will close as soon as all the spots are filled. Be warned, this happens quickly so you’ll need to be on the ball.

Here are a few things that you’ll need towards your application:

• A £185 deposit

This is refundable – you’ll get it back as soon as you turn up. But if you don’t turn up, Oxfam will keep the money to cover the price of your ticket. For this, you’ll need to have a credit/debit card. They don’t accept payment by cheque or American Express.

• To be over 18

You can apply whilst still 17, but you must be 18 years of age by the time of the festival itself. There is no upper age limit.

• Food and shelter

Whilst you get your own staff area, it is still a campsite, so you’ll need all your own camping gear (see below for some good deals on the essentials). You’ll get a meal ticket per shift as part of the job, however you will need your own food for the rest of the time or risk buying it of course, but be aware – it’s expensive and the queues are huge!

• Transport details

You have to provide the details of how you’re going to get to the festivals so Oxfam can send you any relevant passes. Some of the festivals will provide transport for the Oxfam team, however it’s not guaranteed. Click here to find out about transport for each individual festival.

• Training

You’ll need to attend a health and safety training course before the festival if you haven’t worked for Oxfam in the last four years. There are training sessions all over the country. They aren’t festival specific and they last about three hours.

• A photo

You’ll need to upload an up-to-date photo of yourself for your application. The photo should be a JPEG (.jpg) file type, less than 50kb in file size and no larger than 3.5 x 4.5 cm.

• A reference

If you’ve worked at less than two festivals then you’ll need a referee. You’ll need to include their contact details including an email address and telephone number.

• Emergency contact details and doctor’s information

This is needed just in case something happens to you while working at the festival. Give the details of someone who you are not at the festival with and who would be available in case of an emergency – i.e. not on holiday! The details will only be given to medical personnel.

• Shift partner’s details

Finally, if you want to be put on the same shifts as your mates, all you’ve got to do is give their details – their full name and date of birth. Then Oxfam will do its best to pair you up so you can spend your free time together.

Working at festivals isn’t just for younger people either. If you want to go to the festivals and you have children you are allowed to bring them along. This year you do need to register any children of 13, 14 or 15 years and tickets are the same price as adult tickets. However children under 12 are often admitted for free. See the individual festival website for more details. If you’ve got everything you need to apply, all you do is click here and apply online.

Other volunteer positions

Lots of festivals employ people directly too. There are loads of different jobs – but it’s mostly stewarding and/or litter picking that you’ll be doing. Here are a few of the big festivals to get you started:

• Latitude
• V Festival
• Womad
• Bestival
• Leeds
• Reading
  

You can also volunteer at festivals with Action Aid, Greenpeace and WaterAid. These positions involve campaigning in much the same way as we’ve explained above for Oxfam.

Great camping gear bargains

Once you’ve got your tickets for free, get everything you need as cheap as possible:

Make the most of the Field & Trek sale, and get your hands on this 2-man tent worth £69.99 for just £20. Not only does it have a porch area (great for keeping your stuff dry without it taking over where you sleep), it’s super easy to pitch – perfect for festivals.

You’ll also need a roll mat to make things a bit more comfortable, and stop you getting cold. Millets sell a basic one for £7.99. And of course a sleeping bag. If you want to be warm and comfy, it’s worth getting a half decent one. Luckily the Millets sale means you can get this Coleman one (worth £49.99) for just £19.99.

For a bit of luxury, a foldaway camping chair is great for those rare moments of relaxation – Field & Trek have these Campri ones on special offer – 2 for £12.

That’s your canvas home sorted out, but what about the unpredictable British weather? To contend with that you’ll need a good pair of wellies (like these unisex ones from Field & Trek – half price at £12.99), a packable rain mac (this one from Millets is perfect for the girls, while for men this will do the trick) and a lot of old clothes you don’t care about!

Useful Links:

• Oxfam
• Field & Trek
• Millets