Being a Charity Concierge: FAQ

Can I choose which festival I want to volunteer at?

Yes. Once the registrations open, there will be a link to register as a Concierge on each event page, via the menu. 

We have limited spaces at each festival so remember to sign up quick to avoid disappointment.

Will I be interviewed?

For the majority of our volunteering roles, we do not interview. When you register and pay your deposit, you are automatically added to the list for that festival. We reserve the right to remove you from the list in certain circumstances, though. Please see our Volunteer Code of Conduct for more details.

For our assistant manager roles (new this year), there will be an interview process. If you email us to say that you’re interested in these roles, we’ll contact you with the recruitment process.

Can I choose what I do on the day?

You will do the role that you signed up for across the entire festival period. Your shift days and times will depend on which team you’re in.

When and for how long do I need to be at the festival?

You must be on site and ready for our volunteer briefing from 2pm onwards on Wednesday afternoon - the day before before the public arrive (please check individual event pages for specific dates and days). You can leave the site any time after your last shift finishes. 

When will I know if have been successful?

For the majority of our volunteering roles, you will automatically be accepted to the festival when you pay your deposit, so unless you hear otherwise, your registration is automatically successful.

For our assistant manager roles (new in 2024), there will be an ongoing interview process. We will contact you within 5-10 working days of you registering interest to tell you more!

When will I learn what my shifts are?

We will aim to let you know this a few weeks before the festival, however the shifts are subject to change at any time.

Can I work with my friends if they register for the same event?

When you register, there is a space for you to enter the names of other people you'd like to be on shift with. We can't guarantee that you will be with everyone you sign up with, but will do our best to accommodate all requests.

Do I need the right to volunteer?

It is a legal requirement that all volunteers are eligible to work in the UK. You must be prepared to provide evidence that you are eligible to work e.g., passport or driving licence. For more information about proving your eligibility to work, get in touch with us at hello@charityconcierge.org.

How does the deposit system work?

We charge a deposit of £80 for each festival as a newcomer. This has two purposes - first to protect us from cancellations by volunteers before the festival, then to protect us against people coming for a free ticket without attending their shifts. 

Provided you have attended all your shifts on site, the deposit will be fully refunded 2 weeks after the festival. Please see our Terms & Conditions for more information about the deposit and in what circumstances it will not be returned (i.e. not turning up to shifts without a valid reason).

Why must I pay a deposit for the festival?

For festival volunteering work, it is very common for people to register to volunteer as a free way into the festival. This isn't fair on the charity nor the people who work hard on site. That's why we charge a deposit. If you can no longer volunteer at the festival, let us know as soon as possible.

What happens if I miss a shift?

If you miss any shifts without a good reason, you will not get your deposit back. You may also be removed from the festival site (we'll circulate your photo to security and remember, we know where you're camping!).

You'll also have to face us when you pick up your passport and explain why you didn't show up. Your space at the festival is worth more than £400 to the charity, so you'll have a lot of explaining to do. 

How do you judge whether a reason for missing a shift is valid?

This will be on a case by case basis. If you miss a shift because you are ill, and you have given us notice of this and provided evidence from the medical team on site, you will not lose your deposit. If for any reason you are evicted from the site or otherwise in trouble with security, you will lose your deposit. Please see our Terms & Conditions for more information.

Cancellations

Once you have paid your deposit, your place is guaranteed and Child.org reserve your place, plan your shifts and apply to the festival to issue your festival ticket. Your deposit is designed to insure your attendance at the festival and at your shifts and you should consider it a commitment to attend. It will be returned to you in full after the festival, provided you have turned up to work all your agreed shifts and followed our Volunteer Code of Conduct. Please do not pay the deposit and sign up unless you are committed to volunteering at the festival.

If you have mitigating circumstances that mean you are unable to attend the festival, and you let us know at least 3 weeks (21 days) before the festival date, we may be able to recover most of the charity's costs and issue you with a deposit refund. However this will be decided on a case-by-case basis, entirely at the discretion of Child.org staff. If you find you are unable to attend a festival you have committed to, please get in touch with us as soon as possible.

Where do Concierges camp?

At each festival we will have a dedicated area, with showers and toilets, which is away from the public areas therefore quieter and safer. We do require that all Concierges stay with us in this area, so that we can contact you if necessary. You will still have access to the public camping areas though if your friends are staying there.

Can I camp with my friends in the public area?

It's important that Charity Concierges all camp with us in the secure staff area. In the past, a number of volunteers who have been allowed to move into general camping have failed to attend shifts, letting the rest of the team down. For this reason we no longer allow Concierges to leave our space and camp with friends elsewhere on site.

Can my friends come into our campsite?

We will be camping in the secure staff area at all festivals, so only other staff will have access. This increases the security of our campsite, but does mean that friends and family members who have public tickets will not be allowed in.

Do Charity Concierge provide meals?

Volunteers are responsible for providing their own meals throughout the weekend; you can bring a camping stove or buy food from festival vendors. However, Charity Concierge do provide snacks for volunteers whilst they are on shift.

How do I get to the festival and back?

This will largely be your own responsibility, however we will provide information to help you plan your way there and back. Please note that most event transport starts on the first official festival day, so you may not be able to use this.