Volunteer
Long time volunteer, Andreas, profiled...
Volunteering is an exciting way to be involved with the Festival. You get to meet new people, make new friends, learn new skills and generally become involved in one of the most exciting events in the Hebrides. In addition your activity can be included on your CV demonstrating your willingness and ability to try new and exciting experiences.
As a volunteer you will be expected to be available for at least 12-15 hours of work throughout the festival week. There are a couple of teams that have longer hours and some who are involved in pre-Festival work but you will not be placed on these teams without your agreement in advance.
A team is a group of people who operate in a specific area during the Festival. A team can range in size from 2 to 40 people. There is at least one Team Leader and often other co-Leaders as well. The teams carry out a myriad of activities as detailed in the Team Descriptions below.
As a volunteer you will get:
- access to festival activities where possible, so when you are not working you are free to enjoy the festival, the music, your friends, etc.
- a volunteer T-shirt, which you wear whenever you are working during the festival
- latest news from the festival
- an invitation to volunteer events outwith the festival
- for those travelling here, the Laxdale Holiday Park offer a discounted rate for all festival volunteers
We cannot offer travel, accommodation or expenses but we can offer you the opportunity of being involved with one of the most exciting events of the Hebridean year and membership of the growing festival family.
You must be 18 years or older at the time of the festival to be accepted as a volunteer.
Team Descriptions
| Technical & Prep: | Pre-event set up of main site and additional venues as required including staging, set, seating and ancillary items and post event de-rig. Assist the sound and lighting company with the preparation of technical areas, load in and get out of band equipment. One of the most demanding areas, you must be fit, well organised and aware of safety issues and have good availability and a willingness to do just what it takes to make it all happen. Please note that this area has availability from Tuesday of festival week until the Tuesday following the festival if you have the time and stamina to stick with us! |
| Green Team: NEW! |
Your mission should you choose to take it is to ensure that as much waste as possible generated onsite is disposed of in the correct way to minimise waste to landfill. Your assistance will be required both during the day with a strong presence on hand during the times the site is open to the general public to assist with helpful information and assistance to ensure correct disposal of waste from all concessionaires. If you are available, some help would also be useful earlier in the week to ensure that all the bins, etc. are properly labelled and in the correct place. |
| Stewarding: |
Assist with the stewarding operation led by the professional security company employed by the Festival. A very important area to ensure the smooth running of each event. Volunteers are required Thursday to Saturday evenings and during the day if available. Please note volunteers must be 18 years or over for this team. |
| Retailing: |
Assist with the selling of festival and band merchandising and tuck during main evening events. You should be a real people person with an outgoing personality. An interest in the music the festival promotes would be useful. This area involves some lifting and carrying and input throughout the day/evening. Some pre-festival preparation also required if available. |
| Token/Ticket Selling: |
Assist with gate sales and bar token stalls. We are looking for a mature attitude to customer relations, good interpersonal skills and ability to interact positively under pressure. Cash handling experience necessary. |
| Driving: | Assist with the picking up and transportation of band personnel, collecting equipment for delivery to venues, transferring staff and others involved with the organisation of the event. One of the most popular teams with our long-standing volunteers so the most difficult to get into. Availability all day/night is required including early morning/late night ferry/airport runs, runs to rural events and indeed outwith the festival. Must be over 25 years of age, MIDAS certificate preferrable. |
After you have submitted an application, whether you have been assigned to a team and contacted by a Team Leader, if your availability changes in any way, please contact us.
I WANT TO VOLUNTEER. SO, WHAT DO I DO NOW?
Please fill in and submit the Volunteer Form.
All volunteers should complete this form. Details change from year to year; so regardless if you have helped before, please complete the registration. If you have volunteered at the festival in the past please detail when and in which area you helped.
After we have placed the regular volunteers we will be able to start accepting and placing new volunteers.
Please make 3 team choices as that will make it easier to place you. We will look at your choices, consider your skills and interests, and place you accordingly.
If you have any questions or concerns at all about the Volunteer Application form or any issue covered by the Volunteer Policy, please contact the festival team immediately.
After you have appiled
Your application will be acknowledged in the first instance.
Team selections will begin during May and you will be contacted in due course to confirm your selection. Please bear with us and be patient.
Thereafter your team leader will take over communication and supply any details you require.
Contacting Us:
PO BOX 9909, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, HS2 9DW Phone: 01851 621 234
Email: office@hebceltfest.com
Volunteer Policy
The Hebridean Celtic Festival agrees to the following understanding with volunteers:
Volunteers will receive access to Festival main events when not on duty.
Volunteers will receive a 100% cotton T-shirt.
Volunteers will receive respectful treatment.
Volunteers should not consume alcohol whilst on duty.
Volunteers working long hours will receive a free meal voucher redeemable at onsite catering areas.
Volunteers will be covered by Hebridean Celtic Festival insurance.
Volunteers will have a named point of contact.
The Hebridean Celtic Festival reserve the right to request an individual stops volunteering if the relationship has broken down.
The Volunteer agrees to the following understanding with the Hebridean Celtic Festival:
I will complete and submit a Volunteer Application Form.
I will attend meetings/training as required.
I will complete my Festival volunteer assignment in a satisfactory way (showing up on time for shifts, staying for the required duration, wearing volunteer T-shirt while on shift, respectful treatment of other volunteers, staff, performers, and especially patrons of the Festival).
I will abide by the aforementioned policies of the Hebridean Celtic Festival.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
To qualify for the full volunteer benefits, a volunteer is expected to be available for a minimum 12-15 hours of work throughout the week. Some teams require a greater commitment so please ensure that you are aware of the demands of that particular area.
A volunteer will ordinarily be a person 18 years old and older at the time of the festival. Some team requirements do vary so please check these conditions.
Volunteers will NOT bring their children to their work shifts. Arrangements where necessary may be made through the volunteer co-ordinator.
If you become unavailable to volunteer at all during the Festival weekend, please let us know immediately.
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