What times can volunteers arrive?

Volunteer Arrival Times:
To ensure everyone receives their induction, site briefing and any equipment required before starting their role, all volunteers must arrive on site during the arrival window for their team.
Please do not arrive at the start of your shift, as you will need time to check in before beginning your duties.

Arrival Windows
Wednesday 15th July
🕙 10:00am – 4:00pm
Thursday 16th July
🕙 10:00am – 1:00pm
Friday 17th July
🕗 8:00am – 11:00am

If you are unable to arrive during your allocated arrival window, please contact the Emma on 07584 357 808  in advance.

Where do we check in?

If there is no one on the gate upon arrival, proceed the Berwick Bar (building on the left when entering gate 1) or call Emma on 07584 357 808

What are Volunteer Team Shifts?

You would've picked your team and shift upon booking. Your team number can be found on your invoice or ticket: 

Team 1
Thursday: 16:00 – 20:00
Friday: 11:00 – 15:00
Saturday: 18:00 – 22:00

Team 2
Thursday: 14:00 – 18:00
Friday: 12:00 – 18:00
Saturday: 19:00 – 23:00

Team 3
Friday: 15:00 – 19:00
Saturday: 10:00 – 14:00
Sunday: 14:00 – 18:00

Team 4

Friday: 16:00 – 20:00
Saturday: 14:00 – 18:00
Sunday: 10:00 – 14:00

Before Your Shift

Please ensure you:
  • Arrive before your allocated shift time.
  • Check in at the Volunteer Hub.
  • Collect any equipment, radios or high-visibility clothing issued to you.
  • Wear suitable clothing and footwear for the weather and your role.
  • Bring a refillable water bottle and any personal medication you may require.
Thank you for volunteering at Woodshrop Festival. Your support helps make the festival an unforgettable experience for everyone!

Do I need to attend a team briefing?

Team Briefings (Attendance Required)

Yes, all volunteers are required to attend the relevant team briefing before starting their first shift.

Thursday 16th July

📍 Berwick Bar
🕚 11:00am

Friday 17th July
📍 Berwick Bar
🕚 11:00am

These briefings will cover:
  • Team introductions
  • Health & Safety
  • Site layout
  • Radio procedures
  • Emergency procedures
  • Volunteer responsibilities
  • Questions and answers
  • Volunteer hub location and access

Will our team have a Team Leader?

Yes. Each volunteer team will have a Team Leader who will help coordinate the team throughout the festival.

The Team Leader role is entirely voluntary and will be discussed during the team briefing meeting. Anyone who would like to help is welcome to put themselves forward.

The purpose of the Team Leader is to:
  • Help coordinate shift changeovers.
  • Ensure all team members are present and ready to begin their shifts.
  • Act as the first point of contact for the team.
  • Pass on any information from Event Control or the organisers.
  • Help keep the team organised throughout the weekend.
This role allows the festival organisers to concentrate on running the event and responding to any incidents that arise, ensuring that volunteer shift changes happen smoothly and efficiently.

Your Team Leader is not responsible for managing volunteers in a supervisory capacity, but simply for helping coordinate the team and maintaining good communication. If any issues arise, they should be reported to the Volunteer Coordinator or Event Control.

What should I bring?

What should I bring?
  • Have your invoice or tickets saved to your smart phone or printed out
  • Comfortable clothing suitable for the weather
  • Sturdy footwear
  • Sun cream and a sun hat
  • Camping chair - you may be in the same area for extended periods and we do not mind you taking a pew!
  • Waterproofs and warm layers (even in summer!)
  • Refillable water bottle
  • Mobile phone and portable charger
  • Any personal medication you may need
What shouldn't I bring?
Please avoid bringing valuables. The festival cannot accept responsibility for lost or stolen items.

What roles can I expect to under take?

Volunteer Roles

Throughout the festival, volunteers will be allocated a variety of roles to help ensure the event runs safely and smoothly. You may be asked to undertake different duties across the weekend depending on operational requirements.

Camping Arrival Marshall
  • Welcome campers as they arrive.
  • Scan tickets and issue wristbands, safety info and car hangers.
  • Direct vehicles safely to the camping areas.
  • Assist with traffic flow and reduce congestion.
  • Help visitors find their allocated camping area.
  • Provide a friendly first impression of the festival.
Gate Check-In
  • Welcome visitors on arrival.
  • Scan tickets and issue / check wristbands.
  • Direct visitors to the correct entrance or campsite.
  • Answer general questions and provide information.
  • Assist with maintaining an efficient entry process.
Arena Perimeter Patrol
  • Walk designated areas around the arena.
  • Report any safety concerns or hazards.
  • Check fencing, emergency exits and public areas.
  • Provide assistance and directions to visitors.
  • Notify Security or Event Control of any issues.
Merchandise & Information Tent
  • Sell official festival merchandise.
  • Provide festival information and site maps.
  • Assist visitors with general enquiries.
  • Support the Lost Property process.
  • Help visitors locate facilities, activities and performances.
Fire Warden (Training Provided)
  • Carry out regular visual fire safety checks.
  • Ensure fire lanes and emergency exits remain clear.
  • Report potential fire hazards immediately.
  • Assist with evacuation procedures if required.
  • Work alongside Event Control and Security during any fire-related incident.
Gate One Control
  • Help manage pedestrian and vehicle movements.
  • Assist Security with directing authorised vehicles (artists).
  • Ensure emergency access routes remain unobstructed.
  • Welcome visitors and answer general enquiries.
Arena Steward
  • Provide a visible and approachable presence within the arena.
  • Help visitors locate facilities and attractions.
  • Monitor crowd movement and report concerns.
  • Assist with queue management where required.
Accessibility Support
  • Offer assistance to visitors with accessibility requirements.
  • Help direct guests to accessible facilities.
  • Report any accessibility issues to Event Control.
Litter & Site Presentation
  • Help keep public areas clean and tidy.
  • Empty or report full bins.
  • Identify trip hazards or maintenance issues.
  • Help maintain the high standards of the festival site.
General Volunteer Support

At times, volunteers may be asked to assist with additional tasks, including:
  • Delivering messages or equipment around the site.
  • Assisting traders or entertainers where appropriate.
  • Supporting Event Control with operational tasks.
  • Helping during busy arrival and departure periods.
  • Assisting with opening and closing public areas.
  • Supporting the organisers with any reasonable task required to ensure the festival runs safely and efficiently.
Remember

No two shifts are exactly the same. Flexibility is one of the most valuable qualities of a festival volunteer. While your primary role will be explained before each shift, you may occasionally be asked to assist in another area if operational needs require it. Full support and guidance will always be provided by your Team Leader, Volunteer Coordinator or Event Control.

Will food and drinks be provided during shifts?

Yes. Every volunteer will receive one food token for each shift worked, which can be exchanged for one hot food item from the designated catering outlets.

Please note that each token covers one menu item only (for example, one burger, one portion of chips or another single food item).

In addition, a Volunteer Refreshment area will be available exclusively for volunteers throughout the festival in the Volunteer Hub. Here you'll find a selection of:
  • Soft drinks
  • Tea and coffee
  • Snacks
  • A place to take a break between or after shifts
Food tokens will be issued to your Team Leader during the team briefing and distributed to volunteers at the start of each shift.

The Volunteer Hub has been introduced following feedback from our volunteers after last year's festival, where some people found it difficult to access food while on shift. We hope this dedicated space makes volunteering more enjoyable and ensures everyone has easy access to refreshments during the weekend.

Please note: The Volunteer Refreshment Area / Hub is for volunteers only, and we kindly ask that this space is respected so it remains available for all members of the volunteer team throughout their shifts.

Will I be given a radio?

Yes. Most volunteer roles require the use of a radio, and one will be issued where necessary.

As volunteers will generally be working in teams of two, one member of each team will be issued with a radio. This ensures every team has a direct line of communication with Event Control while keeping radio traffic to a minimum.

Volunteers working independently, such as Fire Marshals, will always be issued with their own radio.

Before your first shift, you'll receive a brief demonstration on how to use the radio correctly.

Radio Use

Radios are for operational communication only. Please keep all transmissions:
  • Short
  • Clear
  • Professional
  • Relevant to the operation of the festival
Radio Channels
Volunteer radios operate on the Roadrunner Events operational channel 13, which is monitored by Event Control throughout the festival.

The Security Team operates on a separate radio channel. If Security assistance is required, contact Event Control, who will immediately relay the information to the Security Team. This keeps both channels clear and ensures emergency messages can be communicated without unnecessary delays.

Report the Following to Event Control
Please contact Event Control immediately if you become aware of:
  • Medical emergencies or anyone requiring first aid.
  • Fire, smoke or the smell of burning.
  • Aggressive, abusive or suspicious behaviour.
  • Lost children or vulnerable persons.
  • Missing persons.
  • Accidents or injuries.
  • Damaged fencing, trip hazards or other safety concerns.
  • Unauthorised vehicles.
  • Severe weather concerns.
  • Any situation that could affect the safety of visitors, volunteers or staff.
If you're ever unsure whether something needs reporting, report it. It is always better for Event Control to assess a situation than for something important to go unreported.

Radio Etiquette
  • Listen before transmitting.
  • Press the transmit button, pause briefly, then speak clearly.
  • Keep messages short and concise.
  • Avoid talking over other radio users.
  • Never use radios for personal conversations.
  • Wait for Event Control to acknowledge your message before ending the transmission.
  • Always end messages with over and always ensure the receiver is aware of the incoming message.
An example of a good clear message is as follows: 

Volunteer "Event control receiving over"
Event Control "Event control, go ahead over"
Volunteer "Even control for your information, we have unauthorised vehicle movement by gate one over"
Event Control "Event control received over and out"

Good radio discipline is essential to ensure emergency communications can be passed quickly and efficiently throughout the festival. A message such as that allows, the issue to be transmitted quickly and effectively so security / medics etc can be deployed.