Volunteer
Volunteering is an exciting way to be involved with the Festival.
As a volunteer you will be expected to be available for 12-15 hours of work throughout the 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 20 people. There is at least one Leader and often other co-Leaders as well. The teams carry out a myriad of activities.
VOLUNTEERS MUST BE AGED 16 OR OVER AT THE TIME OF THE FESTIVAL.
Team Descriptions
| 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. 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 and children's events. Ideally you should be good at dealing with people. |
| Van and Minibus drivers: |
Volunteer drivers are required both during the week in and around the town for deliveries and pick ups of equipment for the main site and also to assist with the picking up and transportation of band personnel, collecting equipment for delivery to venues throughout the island and transferring staff and others involved with the organisation of the event. For Insurance purposes volunteers must be over 25 years of age, and to use our Minibuses must have a current MIDAS certificate. |
| Technical: | 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 teams; you must be fit and aware of safety issues. |
| Site & Venue Team: | Pre-event set up of mainstage and other venues, site maintenance and post event de-rig, another demanding area - essential and rewarding. You will need to be fit, well organised and motivated. |
After you have submitted an application, whether you have been assigned to a team and contacted by a Team Leader, if your scheduling requirements or restrictions change in any way, please contact us.
If you become unavailable to volunteer at all during the Festival weekend, please let us know as soon as possible.
As a volunteer you will get:
- access to main festival activities, 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 Festival week
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.
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.
Contacting Us:
PO BOX 9909
Stornoway
Isle of Lewis
HS2 9DW Phone/Fax: 01851 621 234
Email: info@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.
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 policies of the Hebridean Celtic Festival.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
To qualify for the full volunteer benefits, a volunteer is expected to be available for 12-15 hours of work throughout the week.
A volunteer will ordinarily be a person 16 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 as soon as possible.
