Volunteer FAQ's

When do I need to be available to volunteer?

Your confirmation email will tell you when your briefing/training is, and it’s important that you attend, as you will be unable to volunteer without it.

All volunteers need to be on site, registered and briefed before your shift starts. Stewards also need to have attended a training session.

Most volunteer shifts take place just on one day, either the Saturday or Sunday, but your training may happen earlier in the weekend. Make sure you read your confirmation email carefully. If you are unsure of anything contact us in advance, don’t leave it until the event!

How do I register on site?

You need to be on site and registered before your briefing session. Make sure you bring your confirmation email with you! You need to register in the Welcome Tent, in the Big Team Campsite, where you will also be given your camping wristband. We’ll send you an email before the event with directions to find the Welcome Tent on arrival.

If you are a local volunteer and so not camping, you still need to register in the same place. All steward training sessions will also happen in the Welcome Tent.

We open the Big Team campsite earlier than the main campsite. Volunteers can arrive from Thursday afternoon (those on ‘early’ teams will be contacted about special provision for them).

What accommodation is available for volunteers?

The new Big Team Campsite has been created specially for volunteers and other team members to stay in. You can stay in it for free, but you do need to bring your own tent or caravan. The Big Team Campsite has toilets and showers (you can book these on site), as well as free tea and coffee in the Big Team Welcome Tent. It is closer than the main campsite too!

There is local accommodation available but it sells out quickly.

How do I get to the event?

There is plenty of free parking available at the event. We run a shuttle bus service from the nearest train station during the main event itself and on Monday morning.

We will be running a couple of shuttles on the Friday afternoon/evening. If you are thinking of coming by train on Friday please contact us before booking your train tickets.

What do I need to bring with me?

Most volunteer roles involve standing up for large parts of the day, so make sure you bring some comfortable, waterproof footwear with you. Remember that in England it can still be cold and/or rainy in June, so bring warm clothes and a waterproof coat as well as sun cream!

We will give you bottled water during your shift, but you may want to bring a bag to carry it and other items in. If you have an insulated mug bring that too, as it will keep your free hot drinks warm for longer!

If you’re camping remember your tent, sleeping bag, airbed, toothbrush and torch. It can be a bit blustery at the event so cheap pop-up tents are best avoided. Don’t forget to bring some cash with you, as there are no cash points on site.

We will also provide a limited supply of plug sockets in the Welcome Tent which you are welcome to use to charge your mobile phones.

Will I get food provided while I’m volunteering?

All Big Team volunteers have access to free tea and coffee in the Big Team Campsite, and to free hot drinks and bottled water whilst they are on shift. Whilst there may be some biscuits on offer, we are not able to provide meals.

You will need to bring your own food with you, or money to buy some. There is a great range of food vendors at the BigChurchDayOut but there are no cash points, so go to the bank before you get to site.

Is there an age-limit for volunteering?

Most volunteer roles are open to applicants who will be 18 years old at the time of the event, though we do have some opportunities for volunteers aged 16 and 17.  Please contact us for more details on info@bigchurchdayout.com

There is no upper age limit for volunteers.

Do I have to provide a reference?

All volunteering roles require a reference to be taken, as you will be part of the public face of the BigChurchDayOut.

If I have a criminal record am I excluded from volunteering?

Having a criminal record does not necessarily bar you from volunteering at the event.  This will depend on the nature of the voluntary position and the circumstances and background of the offences.

Can I volunteer with my friends?

Yes, volunteers can come along to the festival and volunteer with their friends, or in a group.  Please tell us when you apply that you’d like to volunteer at the same time as your friend and we will try our best to help you. The earlier you apply the easier this will be for us to do.

If you’re already a volunteer and you have a group you’d like to bring along with you, please contact us on info@bigchurchdayout.com

Do I have to stay in the same team as last year?

No, you’re welcome to try out different teams if you like, although some roles require previous event experience.  Get in touch if you’d like more information about roles that might suit you.

Can I volunteer if I bring my children to the festival with me?

You are able to volunteer if you bring children with you to the event, but for legal and safety reasons children must not accompany volunteers at any time while they are on duty.

Your children remain your responsibility during the event. Many volunteers arrange to share childcare with their partner or friends during the event on an informal basis. Some request to be on different shifts to their partner to enable childcare, please let us know when you apply if you wish to do this.

Will I need to complete a Criminal Records Bureau check?

Volunteers in key roles where direct contact with children and young people is required will need to complete an enhanced CRB check before being permitted to take part in the Festival.  If you apply for one of these roles you will be notified.

BigChurchDayOut takes safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults at the event very seriously and has a Child Protection Officer on duty at all times during the event.

BigChurchDayOut is registered with the Churches Child Protection Advisory Service (CCPAS) for advice and support in relation to child protection and good working practice with children, young people and vulnerable adults.

Will I get more information about volunteering before the festival?

We will send you all the information you need about your volunteering role. There will also be a briefing or training session that you will need to attend for your team before the festival begins, you will be told when that is. You will be issued with things like a map of the event at your briefing session.

Don’t forget to let us know if you change your email, address or phone number in the time between sending in your application and the event. You can email us on info@bigchurchdayout.com

Apply here now: