Stewarding: Frequently Asked Questions

Questions about working at a festival:

• Q65. Do I get fed?
• You will be given one meal ticket per shift you work, i.e 3 meal tickets. (Except at Glastonbury you get 1 per day i.e 5 meal tickets). These will be redeemable at a specific caterer, generally crew catering provided by either the festival or Oxfam.
  
  The caterers are required to provide both meat and vegetarian options, and we also notify them of vegan numbers. At some festivals, meals are supplied as part of the contract, and at others we pay for stewards meals.
  
  We have learnt by experience that you can never keep everyone happy when it comes to food, so we do our best to get caterers who can supply good, healthy, sustainable meals with variety. If you want to recommend a caterer, please email details to jpennock@oxfam.org.uk.
  
  
• Q66. What if my favourite band is playing and I'm supposed to be working?
• There will be an opportunity to change your shifts with other people at the beginning of the festival before the shifts begin. At Glastonbury you will have to change all your shifts, not just the one you are unhappy with. At other festivals you can swap just the one shift.
  
  
• Q67. I've heard that I might be able to work the early shift, what is involved with this, and how can I get on it? (Stewarding only)
• Glastonbury - See specific festivals FAQs for information about the Glastonbury Early Shift
  
  Non-Glastonbury - Generally, the early shift involves arriving on the same day as everyone else You will be asked to work your first shift on that day, either working on early bird gates for the festival, or registering the other stewards as they arrive. You can request to work this shift by ticking the relevant box on the on-line application form for the specific festival.
  
  There are a very small number of early shift places. If you have been allocated one of these places you will be contacted directly by the stewarding team.
  
  See specific festivals FAQs for more details about the Early Shifts.
  
  
• Q68. What is the late shift?
• At the festivals where we work on the campsites, we are expected to stay in position until all the campers have left, so we must cover the Sunday night and Monday up to about 4pm. We understand that a lot of people need to go back to work on Monday mornings, which is why we ask you to let us know if you are available to work on Sunday evening or Monday.
  
  If you have been allocated a late shift, you will find this out when you are given your shifts on site.
  
  
• Q69. Can I be a shift leader / deputy / gate organiser / team leader / biker?
• If you are interested in supervising, please fill out the supervisor page of the application form. There are job profiles available to read which tell you which positions you can apply for and what is involved.
  
  Please read these carefully, and only choose a role at a level of responsibility you are confident with. We generally select shift leaders/deputy shift leaders from people who have had significant stewarding and supervisory experience, however we are always happy to give people a try at this.
  
  The driving positions are very popular, and again we prefer to select these from people who have had a lot of stewarding experience and therefore have a good understanding of the importance of their job to cold, wet stewards desperate for a cup of tea. Drivers need to be over 21, have a good knowledge of a festival site and ideally have experience of off-road driving.
  
  All supervisors will be working 3 eight-hour shifts.
  
  
• Q70. When can I find out when my shifts are?
• Shift allocations tend to be carried out in last two weeks before a festival, therefore you will be told what shifts you are working when you arrive on site to register. This information will not be available via the phone line, or by emailing us!
  
  
• Q71. When will we have to register?
• This is announced in your pre-festival email (or letter for Glastonbury) sent two weeks before the festival. It is usually the Wednesday or Thursday prior to the festival beginning.
  
  Please see specific festival FAQ’s over the next few months.
  
  
• Q72. Does working as a steward entitle me to a back stage pass?
• No, sorry!
  
  
• Q73. Can I do my shifts with my friends?
• Stewards:
  You can let us know who you would like as your shift partners, including their date of birth. When we arrange shifts, we try to make sure you are always working at the same times as your shift partners, though we can't guarantee you will be working at the same location.
  
  Campaigners:
  We will try to ensure that you are working at the same times as your friends, but we will probably ask you to work in a team with someone you don't know.
  
  
• Q74. Will I always be working in the position allocated to me?
• Not necessarily. A good supervisor will rotate positions to give variety and relieve boredom, or to cover breaks. Supervisors also get requests to send stewards to support other positions, so if you start your shift in a position you like, working with your friends, please be prepared that you might be asked to move during the shift.
  
  

Arrivals and transport

• Q75. Do you provide transport to the festivals?
• See specific festivals for details
  
  
• Q76. I find it hard to get time off work, why do I have to be on site so early?
• The day/evening before you are due to go on shift, you need to be registered, to be briefed on your specific role, and to orientate yourself before you can start answering the festival goers questions about directions, facilities etc.
  
  If you arrive on site to register and your first shift doesn't start until Friday morning you are not obliged to stay on site. If you leave site, please take into account how long it will take you to get back on site in time for your first shift. And don't lose your wristband!!!
  
  

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