Important Information for Volunteers

Please find below links to the documents you need to read before arriving at the Festival. When you sign-in, you are agreeing that you have read, understood and agree to abide by the:

To understand your responsibilities under Health & Safety Law, as well as our responsibilities, please see H&S_Law_Leaflet.pdf

When you get to the bar, you will be asked to sign a sheet authorising you to sell alcohol. The Licensing Act 2003 stipulates that:

  • You must never serve alcohol to anyone under 18 or to anyone you believe is obtaining it for someone under 18.
  • You must never serve alcohol to anyone who is drunk or to anyone you believe is buying for someone who is drunk.

To understand CAMRA’s new Festival Code of Conduct, please see camra.org.uk/code-of-conduct.

Please try not to bring lots of bags etc as space in the Crypt and Cloakroom areas is very limited and we are not responsible for any items that are left.

There is no access to the Halls until 9am from Monday to Saturday while the Festival is running.

Depending on the area you have volunteered to work depends on your ideal shift start time:

  • Cellar Team or Stewarding Team 60-90 minutes before opening if possible.
  • Cider Bar or Products Stand 15 minutes before opening.
  • Glasses Stand 30 minutes before opening.
  • Membership 30-60 minutes before opening.
  • Blackfriars or St Andrews Bar Staff 20-30 minutes before opening.

However, if this is your first time working at the festival on one of the bars, if you could arrive about 45 mins before we open to the public this will give the Bar Manager time to run through everything with you.

The times we are open to the public are:

  • Monday: 2pm – 10pm
    • (Set up only 9am – 2pm)
    • Trade session 2pm – 4pm
    • Members Preview 4pm -5pm
    • Evening Session 5pm – 10.00pm.
  • Tuesday – Friday Lunchtimes 11.30-3pm
  • Tuesday and Wednesday Evening 5pm-10pm
  • Thursday and Friday Evening 5pm-11pm
  • Saturday all day11.30am-9.30pm

If you ae able to, please allow a half hour after the end of the shift to help with general tidying up.

All the above are the ideal times which we would like the majority of staff to aim for. Of course if you don’t finish work till 5pm it’s going to be fairly tricky to be with us earlier, and at the end of the shift if you need to leave straight away to catch public transport that isn’t a problem. If you could let your manager know when your shift starts, so they can make a note.

If you were willing to do multiple jobs, where possible we have assigned you to your first choice, but when you arrive please check with the Staffing Team where you are working. We would ask you all to be as flexible as you can to help the festival run smoothly.

The staff entrance is in the same place as the last few years. For anyone new, head to the compound gate where you should find a steward who will point you in the direction of the correct door, located at the far right hand side of the Halls as you look at them. Make your way to the Crypt, where you will be need to sign in and collect your staff badge and lanyard, with any meal token you may be entitled to. You should take your non-Festival glass with you if you wish to taste any beers, ciders or perries, but please do so in moderation. If there is any sign of excess drinking, you will be asked to leave.

Please leave via the same door when you finish your shift and have signed out. If you wish to remain in the Halls, however, please ensure your volunteer t-shirt and badge are removed. If you’re at the festival and not working, then you must not wear your volunteer t-shirt and badge.  Please return your badge and lanyard after your final shift.

If you are new to the festival, please ensure that you make the person at the signing in desk aware, so they can arrange for you to be given a tour.

A 15-minute break is allowed during your session (lunchtime and evening), head back to the staffing area, where rolls, crisps, snacks, soft drinks and tea or coffee will be available. Please check with the manager before leaving your area. Please bring your own drinking mugs or cups for hot or cold drinks in the Staffing area. We no longer have mugs available. It will be your responsibility to label them and keep them clean.

Please read the additional staff guidelines at your working location and ensure you know where the list of allergens is located, if working on a bar.

Food and Dietary requirements
As stated above, snacks are available during the day. Hot meals will be served during the afternoon break for those working the whole day from 11am to at least 7pm. If you stated on your staffing form that you have a specific allergy or you are vegan, please make this known to a staffing member who will be able to let you know what food arrangements have been made for you. There will potentially be a separate roll made for you if needed, and when getting your hot meal the catering team will have your name and will have made you something different if the main meal is not suitable.

Taxis
If you put on your staffing form that you needed a taxi but no longer do, please make sure you let Staffing know. So whether you have pre-booked a taxi on your form, or whether you now require a taxi, you will need to confirm your booking by taking a request sheet from Staffing and completing it as soon as possible. It must be returned by 7pm at the absolute latest. Any requests after this time will not be honoured. Taxis can only be ordered by the Staffing Manager or Deputy. No money will change hands as we have an account set up. Receipts will not be accepted from any other source. The taxis are only available from 45+ minutes after we close to the public, to give them time to leave and allow any general tidying to happen. Stewards are slightly different and should check with their Team Leader before requesting one from Staffing.