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 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 with be placed on a rota system which will be agreed with you prior to the event or at team meetings.

As a volunteer you will get:

• access to festival activities within the main arena where possible, so when you are not working you are free to enjoy the festival, the music, your friends, etc.
• a volunteer 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.

Due to venue restrictions access to the festival club is strictly limited to ticket purchasers so if you do wish to go then buy your tickets early.

You must be 18 years or older at the time of the festival to be accepted as a volunteer.

Team Descriptions

Technical & Prep: NOW FULL	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:	Your mission should you choose to take it is to ensure that as much waste as possible generated onsite is recycled or composted 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 (bars, caterers, etc.). Please note that though this team is rotaed 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!
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 and to provide a friendly, helpful service. 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. Please note volunteers must be 18 years or over for this team.
Retailing: NOW FULL	Assist with the selling of festival and band merchandising throughout the festival. 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: NOW FULL	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: NOW FULL	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. Good local knowledge necessary. 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 applied

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.

This year's volunteer Meet n Greet event will take place on the evening of Tuesday, 16th July. We look forward to meeting you then.

Contacting Us:

Phone: 01851 621 234
Email: office@hebceltfest.com

Volunteer Policy

The Hebridean Celtic Festival agrees to the following understanding with volunteers:

Volunteers will receive a festival T-shirt or polo shirt.
Volunteers will receive respectful treatment.
Volunteers should not consume alcohol 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.
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.

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 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.

If you become unavailable to volunteer at all during the Festival weekend, please let us know immediately.

VOLUNTEER NOW!