Oxfam Stewarding – Leeds Festival 2012

Each summer Oxfam provides a professional stewarding service to some of the UK’s biggest music festivals. In return, they receive a donation from the festival organisers. In 2010, Oxfam provided 5,000 stewards to 14 major festivals and raised £1 million. As a steward, you represent Oxfam. And the money generated from your time goes towards our life-changing work around the world.

This year Manchester RAG have 30 places for Oxfam stewards at one of the most well loved festivals in the UK, Leeds Festival. In return for your work as a steward as well as your £100 fundraising target for Oxfam (which Manchester RAG will assist you in raising), you’ll get free entry to the festival, top notch camping facilities and the chance to work with hundreds of other like minded students over the course of the festival!

To sign up, scroll down to the form, or read on for more details!

What is involved?

The primary purpose of stewarding is to protect public safety and provide information and advice to festival-goers.Ninety-nine percent of stewarding is answering questions, giving advice and keeping an eye on your area, however one percent may involve helping to save lives in an emergency. As a steward you need to plan for every eventuality and be prepared to respond as and when required.

Being a steward means you could be asked to take on a variety of roles, from checking tickets to monitoring crowds at stages to staffing a festival gate. Above all, it means being the eyes and ears of the festival – being alert, friendly and attentive, and able to report any safety issues that occur.

Oxfam festival stewards always work alongside dedicated security firms at all of our festivals and do not get involved in any security duties.

Find out more about stewarding roles.

How many shifts will I need to do?

As an Oxfam steward you will be required to complete three shifts (eight hours 15 mins each shift) over the duration of the festival, normally across a 24-hour shift system. During your shifts you will be expected to fulfil a specific duty, but in between and at the end of all your shifts you will be free to enjoy the festival.

Find out more about stewarding shifts.

What makes a good steward?

A good steward should be friendly and approachable, able to maintain good humour when tired, comfortable speaking with the public, willing to be vocal, flexible about tasks requested of them, punctual and honest and reliable.

We welcome applicants from all age ranges and backgrounds. No prior experience is needed and training will be provided for all stewards.

What is required of a steward?

All stewards will need to:

• attend training every four years
• provide a reference
• apply online and pay a deposit
• attend the festival(s) for the full onsite dates
• be elegible to volunteer in the UK
• be 18 or over on the arrival day of the festival (there is no upper age limit!)
• have an excellent level of spoken English
• adhere to our standards of behaviour

Find out more about who is eligible to steward.