Here is all the information you need to know about working as a volunteer at Shrewsbury Folk Festival
Please read the following terms and conditions before applying, even if you have stewarded with us before, as they are regularly updated:
Application Process
- We require about 500 stewards. We have 1,000+ people on the database. We give priority to returners but each year we will have vacancies especially in Car Park, Campsite, Fire Watch and Task Force among many others. Be aware that it is first come, first served and teams fill up quickly.
- If you wish to work with friends or partners, please mention this on your application, it may be possible to accommodate your request.
- Attach a recent photo of yourself to the application.
- We will communicate with you by email. Keep an eye on your junk or spam folder.
- You are applying to be a festival volunteer. We will try to match you to your preferred work team.
- In spring/early summer (if your application is accepted) your team leader will be in touch to arrange your hours and duties.
- Returning Stewards – please submit your application before March 1st. If your application is received after this date, we cannot guarantee you will be placed in your preferred team.
- If you are not selected, you will be eligible to buy a weekend ticket at the Tier 1 price, provided your application is received by March 31st. Please DO NOT BUY a festival ticket until you’ve heard from us, as refunds are not available.
Terms and Conditions
- You must be at least 18-years-old on your first day of availability.
- Your priority as a steward is to help us run Shrewsbury Folk Festival. We ask that you take pride in your stewarding duties and meet the commitment of your shifts. If you are placed on a rota, then we expect you to work the hours allocated to you. All rotas will be allocated fairly.
- Anyone who fails to honour their stewarding commitments without a valid reason will have their pass revoked and any future applications will be turned down.
- All stewards will be part of a team, with responsibility for a specific aspect of Shrewsbury Folk Festival.
- All stewards are required to act in a calm and professional manner and be vigilant, courteous, sober and health and safety conscious. Drinking alcohol and smoking whilst on duty is not permitted at any time.
- Team leaders will brief you regarding your responsibilities for your area of work. They will fully support you in your role.
- You must return your SFF tabard to your team leader after each shift, so the next person can use it. Do not take them home!
- Dogs are welcome on site but, importantly, must be looked after by someone else while you are on duty – so PLEASE don’t take your dog to work as not everyone is dog friendly. Dogs are not allowed in covered venues.
Hours and Duties
- Stewards are required to work approximately 16 hours during the four-day festival weekend; 32 hours if working non-festival days.
- Priority will be given to people who are very flexible about what hours and days they can work and with proven experience. Once you have checked in for duty, we expect you to be available for all the days and rotas you have agreed to work. Expect to work at least one morning, one afternoon and one evening shift.
- From time to time there is a need for people who would like to spend more time at the heart of the festival and become deputies or team leaders. Please tick the appropriate boxes and mention it in more detail at the bottom of the form if this is something that interests you.
- If you are anxious to see a specific artist, please tell your team leader and he/she will try and arrange your rota accordingly. You may wish to change shifts when the full programme is published but we ask that you deal with this within your own team.
- The task force team can include a variety of stewarding duties and you will be required to ‘check in’ at the steward’s desk each day for work allocation. Duties are not sent out in advance for this team. Prior to the festival you may find that you are transferred to a team in need of replacement stewards. Fourteen hours are set and two hours are to be made available in case of emergencies and high demand for jobs.
- There are NO light duties available, kindly do not ask. If you apply to steward, we assume you are fit enough to be able to stand for at least two hours on shift and the festival site is extensive so expect plenty of walking too. Most teams will require lifting of various items.
- The site covers a large area and communication is via walkie talkies. Although we have fire wardens you may find yourself needing to use fire extinguishers. If you want training on any of these ahead of the festival, please include these requirements in the additional comments field.
Steward’s Tickets, Children’s Tickets, Arrival & Departure, Camping etc
- Stewards receive a full weekend pass (bring a lanyard); free souvenir programme; free camping, free car parking
- Tickets with or without camping are NOT FREE for other members of your party, and they will NOT be given access to the site until 15:00 Thursday August 27th with a valid Thursday camping pass.
- Children in your care and dogs must be looked after by someone else while you are on duty. Dogs are not allowed in covered venues and PLEASE (again) kindly do not take them on duty with you.
- Discounted weekend and camping tickets for 5-17yrs are available for your own children, with payment to be made by BACS. SFF bank details will be supplied.
- Under 18s can arrive from 15:00 on Thursday August 27th but no earlier due to work hazards.
- Stewards have a designated camping area on campsite 1 near to gate 1 so please consider camping here. We would ask caravan owners to please remove your car from the camping area to the car park to help free up camping space. Please do not save space for friends as this causes concern for festival goers.
- Stewards will be able to access the site at gate 4 from 12:00-20:00 on Thursday August 27th unless you are allocated to a team where early arrival is required and agreed, in advance, with your team leaders.
- Do not arrive early unless you have been given permission to do so.
- The campsite closes on Tues September 1st at 12:00. Stewards who are not helping to clear up should also vacate the site by this time.
Working Teams at Shrewsbury Folk Festival
Artist Reception: check in artists, help with refreshments, keeping AR secure, clean and tidy.
Campsite Gates & set up/take down support: (pre and post festival days) approx. 32hrs.
Campsite Gates: (festival days) – most hours will be worked on Friday, Thursday arrival essential.
Car Park: (traffic control) – most hours will need to be worked on Thursday/Friday/Monday.
Catering: layout etc, pre-fest.
Dance Marquee Back Stage: supporting artists, lifting, loading / unloading instruments etc.
Fire Wardens: you must be physically fit to climb a ladder up/down the fire watch tower, drive a buggy (training given) and remain alert during your shift (no sitting or reading).
Lost/Found Child support: required all weekend. DBS certificate essential.
Merchandise: customer service skills, selling T-shirts etc, lifting boxes and standing during your shift.
Morris Team Guide: local town centre knowledge, managing street collection etc
On-site Office: mainly answering the telephone and enquires, 32hrs from August 24th to 28th .
Open Air (Severn) Stage: wristband checks & general stewarding duties including eg keeping dogs out of the mosh pit.
Pandemonium! & Refolkus: under 18s venue door management. DBS certificate desirable.
Pandemonium! Crew: helping with activities & workshops in the children’s area. Previous experience working on creative projects and with children is required. DBS certificate desirable.
Set Up/Take Down: 32hrs (minimum 4½ full days – not festival days) you must be fit enough for lots of lifting and carrying. NO light duties. Everyone works the Tuesday after the festival.
Stage Manager: supporting artists, lifting, loading and unloading instruments etc.
Stewards’ Office or Radio Room: duties include Thursday through to Monday evening.
Task Force: a variety of stewarding duties. Be prepared to undertake tasks of any of the other festival teams and / or drive the e-bus around the site. We need a flexible attitude with an ability to troubleshoot. NO light duties. Task force operates across all festival days.
Ticket Office/Information: most hours will be worked on Friday August 28th starting at 09:00 and the remaining hours during other festival days. Thursday arrival is essential for some evening work on Thursday August 27th, as directed by the team leaders.
Tidy Team: litter picking, cleaning site and food tent area.
Transit Van Drivers or E-bus Driver (under 75-years-old only): required before and after or during the festival, we will arrange insurance cover if you are nominated as a van driver.
Venue Control (Sabrina, Pengwern and workshop spaces): Concerts, checking wristbands, additional needs support, health and safety including keeping aisles clear and dogs out of the venue and mosh pit.
Volunteer Steward Application Form
Each person wishing to be a volunteer should complete and submit an application form. Please read the information and general terms and conditions before completing.