Volunteering at HebCelt is vital to the successful staging of the event. These positions have provided many opportunities for individuals whether to gain experience in a particular field, learn new skills, meet and make new friends or as a route to enjoying the event whilst contributing back into our community. The festival itself is managed by volunteers all of whom contribute to the successful running of the event when live. All volunteers are valued and respected for the hard work contributed towards making HebCelt what it is.
As a volunteer you will be expected to be available for at least 12-15 hours of work with shifts alternating between daytime / evening throughout the festival. There are a couple of teams that have longer hours and some who are involved in pre and post 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 5 to 40 people and 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.
All voluntary staff will be placed on a rota system which will be agreed with you prior to the event or at team meetings. You will be expected to cover at least 2 shifts, which vary in length between teams, alternating over daytime/evenings so please be ready and willing to be flexible.
As a volunteer you will get:
- Free access to festival arena events, so when you are off duty you are able to enjoy the festival.
- a volunteer shirt, which you wear whenever you are on shift during the festival.
- 10% discount on most official festival merchandise.
- an invitation to the volunteer reception held on the Tuesday evening before the festival.
- for those camping we have organised a discounted rate for all festival volunteers at the Laxdale Holiday Park.
- our deep gratitude.
We cannot offer travel, accommodation or expenses. We can offer something more valuable; the opportunity of being involved with one of the most exciting events of the Hebridean year and membership of the growing festival family.
Due to venue restrictions, access to events outwith the festival arena are strictly limited to ticket purchasers. If you do wish to attend any of these events then please buy your tickets early.
No Shows
We do get the odd occasion when volunteers don’t turn up to their shift without letting us know and let all the rest of our hard-working volunteers down, which is such a shame. Therefore, anyone who didn’t turn up to shifts in 2019 without letting their team leader know will not be accepted as a volunteer this year. If you apply it will be a simple no. You are more than welcome to buy a ticket and attend. We are sure you understand.
Volunteer Application Form - volunteering applications for 2023 have not yet opened. Please check back again shortly
Team Descriptions
| Technical & Prep: |
Pre-event set up of main site as required including staging, site dressing, 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, we will be splitting the teams as appropriate to cover what needs done. Key skills for prep team include stamina and some basic construction knowledge. Key skills for tech include stamina and knowledge / experience of live events.Please note that this area has availability from Monday of festival week until the Tuesday following the event if you have the time and energy to devote. |
| Green Team: |
Your assistance will be required both during the day with a strong presence on hand when the festival is live to assist with information and assistance to ensure correct disposal of waste from bars, caterers, etc. Please note that though this team is rotated during the festival, all volunteers will be required at the end of Saturday night for a final clear up. If you are available. Some help would also be useful earlier in the week to ensure that disposal areas are properly labelled and in the correct place. Or if you can help during the clear up the following week you will earn our eternal gratitude! Happy to accept applications from those aged 16 and over. |
| Ambassador: |
Ambassadors assist with the stewarding operation led by the professional security employed by the festival. A very important area to ensure the smooth running of each event and to provide a friendly welcome to patrons. Volunteers are required Thursday evening and Friday / Saturday afternoons and evenings. If available we would be really grateful if anyone would like to work a few more hours to ensure that all the hours of the festival are covered. this role requires you to be standing for periods of time. |
| Retailing: |
Assist with the selling of festival and band merchandising throughout the festival. It would be helpful if you have cash handling experience but good customer relation skills coupled with an outgoing personality are necessary. This area involves some lifting and carrying so don’t choose this if you are unable to do so. Some pre-festival preparation also required if available. |
| Token Sales: |
Assist with selling of bar drinks tokens and drinks cups. You will also be able to provide information for festival goers. This is a busy team with queues at peak times. If you are able to maintain a positive attitude with customers, understand the importance of impeccable cash handling and cash counting coupled with a "can do" attitude, going the extra mile to help your colleagues and other team members - then we'd love to have you on this team! |
| Festival Site Box Office: | You will be the first point of contact for festival patrons to collect festival arena booked tickets, and if available, for ticket sales. You should have good communication and organisational abilities, an ability to work under pressure, multi-tasking and prioritising where required. Above all be professional when dealing with enquiries and confident of operating relevant technology to support the position.
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| Driving: |
Assist with the pick-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. Good local area knowledge important. Must be over 25 years of age and have sound knowledge of local area. MIDAS certificate essential. |
| Cashier: |
Assisting with the cashing up of all monies taken by the festival on the main site. Cash handling experience together with use of financial software tools useful together with ability to work in a team. This area can become quite busy, especially in the evening, so you should be able to cope with that kind of pressure. Please note volunteers for this team should be 21 years or over. |
| Gaelic Team: |
You will be part of the team who provide festival goers with a flavour of the language and culture of the Hebrides. You will be a fluent Gaelic speaker and have a friendly outgoing nature with the ability to work as part of a team. Suitable for ages 16 and over. |
| Artist Rep / Hospitality: |
This team is one of the more demanding roles and requires a greater commitment over the festival. Artist Reps assist with ensuring the smooth running of the artist's schedules including liaising with artist management and our own tech and transport teams. Liaise with the retailing team to organise procurement / sale of band merchandise and signings in Retail Tent. Hospitality will ensure green rooms are stocked and prepared appropriately. Ideally you will have some kind of similar work experience, have the ability to react positively to pressurised situations and above all have a sunny disposition. |
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.
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 three 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.
What Happens After You Have Applied?
Your application will be acknowledged in the first instance. Unless you hear otherwise within a month (depending on when you apply) assume you have been accepted and make arrangements as required.
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.
This year's volunteer Meet n Greet event will take place at 6pm on Tuesday, 12th July to which all confirmed volunteers will be invited. We look forward to meeting you then. It is not vital you attend this, but does help with orientation and familiarisation.
Contacting Us:
Email: volunteer@hebceltfest.com
Volunteer Policy
The Hebridean Celtic Festival agrees to the following understanding with volunteers:
- Volunteers will receive a festival shirt.
- Volunteers will receive respectful treatment.
- Volunteers should not consume alcohol or recreational drugs whilst on duty.
- Volunteers working long hours will receive a free meal or snack voucher redeemable at onsite catering areas.
- Volunteers will be covered by Hebridean Celtic Festival insurance whilst on duty.
- Volunteers will have a named point of contact.
- The Hebridean Celtic Festival reserves the right not to accept applications and to request an individual stops volunteering if the relationship has broken down.
- free access to the main festival arena outwith your shifts.
- Volunteers' personal information is covered by the Volunteer Privacy Notice.
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 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 commit a minimum 12-15 hours of work with shifts alternating between daytime / evening throughout the festival. 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 and please be aware that the festival does not have the facilities to care for your children when you are working.
If you become unavailable to volunteer at all during the Festival weekend, please let us know immediately.