Volunteer on the Big Team
Be part of the Big Team in 2012…
The BigChurchDayOut is all about people coming together, so why not volunteer for The Big Team? You’ll join hundreds of like-minded people who between them form the backbone of the event and experience BigChurchDayOut by serving and making the festival happen.
You’ll be the friendly face of BigChurchDayOut, whether you’re selling programmes, marshalling cars or helping people find their way around the site. It’s a great way to be a special part of this wonderful weekend.
You’ll work for one day and get a free ticket for the other day, meaning you’ll get to experience BigChurchDayOut from two perspectives! You’ll even be able to camp in the new Big Team Campsite for free if you like, so that you can stay on site and soak up the atmosphere.
“We had an AMAZING time!! We enjoyed the fellowship shared with everyone we met, we enjoyed the performances and the opportunity to just praise God. We also enjoyed volunteering in the childrens tent to give back to others so they could have a good experience too. All in all it was a brilliant weekend, and although we were physically exhausted on the Monday, we were renewed spiritually. We want to come again/volunteer next year and there are a whole lot of people we are bringing with us as we believe they will enjoy and be touched by it. So all in all we just wanted to say a big THANK YOU to you, and everyone who was involved in pulling off such a spectacular weekend. God bless, Lukeki”
“I had an unforgettable experience volunteering, learning new skills and meeting new people. I definitely hope to see you again next year. Phoebe”
What will I do?
There are all sorts of roles available and many of them don’t require any special skills or training. If you’re enthusiastic, reliable and a team player, you’ll be a great asset! You’ll be able to tell us in your application if you have any skills or experience that you’d like to use. You can also tell us if you have a heart for a particular role and we’ll do our best to match you. All our volunteers will be busy for similar lengths of time, but shift patterns do vary from team to team. Unsure what you might want to do? Just read on to find out more about each area:
Stewards – You’ll be part of the biggest volunteer team at BigChurchDayOut. You’ll set the tone with your friendly, helpful manner and contribute to the smooth running of the event. Stewards have several sub-teams:
Site Stewards – the smooth flow of people around the event helps to create the right atmosphere. Your job will be to manage these flows, helping to keep people safe and the emergency exit routes clear. You will be given training on site, which you will need to attend. You will be standing for much of the day and need to be friendly and confident in dealing with the public.
Attractions Stewards – everybody loves the Big Church Day Out attractions. You’ll be there to make sure that people have a good time and stay safe. You’ll cover areas such as the fairground rides and the Village Fete. You will be given training on site, which you will need to attend. You will be standing for much of the day and need to be friendly and confident in dealing with the public.
Pre-event Stewards - the event may not start until Saturday but we’re busy before then! You will be available to steward on Friday 1st June, helping arrivals and keeping people in safe locations. You will be given training on site, which you will need to attend. You will be standing for much of the day and need to be friendly and confident in dealing with the public.
Shuttle Bus Stewards - you’ll be the first person that people meet when they arrive at the train station so you’ll need to be friendly, passionate about the event, and happy to travel to/from the site on a bus for a few hours at the beginning and end of the day. You also need to be comfortable handling money.
Steward Section Leaders –these experienced stewards are present in all our sub teams. If you think it could be the role for you then make sure you tell us about your previous team leading experience in your application. You will be given training on site, which you will need to attend. You will be standing for much of the day, and need to be friendly and confident in dealing with the public as well as comfortable giving instructions to team members and staying calm in challenging situations.
Car Park - you’re the first face that most guests will see when they arrive. Your friendly confidence will be invaluable as you guide lots of cars in to well managed ranks. You’ll be there at the end to help people leave the event safely and efficiently. Being a driver yourself will help, but common sense is the main requirement. If you’re experienced in moving traffic around an event, you might want to apply for a Team Leader role. Anyone with Chapter 8 experience would be valuable. This is a physically active role.
Retail – if you enjoy serving people and have experience in handling cash, this could be the team for you. We’ll have a number of lively and busy retail points at the event, selling programmes, BCDO and artist merchandise. Being good with numbers is an advantage.
Campsite – this is all about making the Big Church Campsite a stress-free place. You’ll be on hand to help people find their way to a pitch or to a pre-booked tent and to answer questions about things like shower block opening times. If you know a thing or two about guy ropes then great, but by far the most important is a friendly disposition. The Campsite opens on Friday 1st June and closes on Monday 4th June so we also need team who can be available then; if that is you, tick the Pre or Post Event box in your application.
Café‘s and Cold Drinks – you might be asked to supplement our specialist Oasis Tea Tent team, selling hot drinks, clearing café tables and so on. Or you may be out and about on site, selling cold drinks to thirsty guests. Whatever you’re doing, you’ll have a passion for service with a smile, and experience in handling cash. You will be standing for much of your shift.
Volunteer Support – experienced in volunteering at events, you have a passion to look after those serving on teams and are good at administration. You’ll help with volunteer welcome and registration, question answering and generally being supportive. You’ll be based both in the new Big Team Welcome tent and the Big Team hospitality tent.
Crafts – we’re looking for creative people who have a flair for paint, fabrics, beads and other materials. If you also have a passion for sharing your love of crafts with young people, then this is the team for you. You need to be good at explaining things, friendly, and confident handling small amounts of cash.
Where and When?
Saturday 2nd & Sunday 3rd June 2012 at Wiston House, near Steyning, West Sussex, BN44 3DZ.
If you’re willing to be flexible and volunteer for either day, please let us know. We’ll then have the best chance of fitting you in to the team of your choice, or of filling teams where we need support. We’ll give you a free ticket for the day when you’re not serving the event, free camping in the Big Team Campsite, and access to the Big Team hospitality tent.
Pre- and Post-Event roles?
We have some roles that are before and after the weekend to help us with the set up and set down and keeping people safe during that. If you are interested then please tick the Pre and Post-Event option and someone will be in touch to explain how your shift would work.
Can I volunteer with my friends?
Yes, you can come to the BigChurchDayOut and volunteer with your friends. Please tell us when you apply and we will do our best to find you places in the same team.
FAQ’s
Please click here to read the Volunteer Frequently Asked Questions.
How do I apply?
Just click on the button below and tell us a bit about yourself!
You can apply to be a volunteer at the BigChurchDayOut by clicking on the link below and completing the application form. By applying you are confirming that:
- The information you will give on the application will be true and accurate.
- You consent to the submitted information being retained by the BigChurchDayOut.
- You consent to the submitted information being disclosed to your nominated referee.
- You consent to further references and checks being made with the relevant authorities if necessary.
Most of our volunteers are over 18 years old; though we do have roles for 16 and 17 year olds (volunteers who are under 18 will have to get a consent form signed by their parents/legal guardians). There is no upper age limit.
All volunteer roles at the BigChurchDayOut will require the applicant to provide one referee (so please have their email address and telephone number to hand before you start your application). Your nominated referee should meet the following criteria:
- Have known you well and for at least 1 year.
- See you at least once a month.
- Be over 18 years old.
- Not be related to you.
Some roles may require the applicant to obtain a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure check from the Criminal Records Bureau. Please click the appropriate link to view copies of the BigChurchDayOut’s policies on:
2012 BCDO Recruitment of Ex-offenders policy.
2012 BCDO Secure Storage policy.