Volunteering at Woodford Folk Festival

BUILD Volunteers

The festival site comes to life during a two week period in December that we call the ‘Build.’ Roughly two weeks before Christmas, over 400 volunteers arrive at the Woodford Folk Festival site and help to layout, build, beautify and prepare the festival parkland for the upcoming event. Build volunteers then take the 6 days of the festival off to enjoy the fruits of their labour. On the 2nd of January, they join us again, this time as pack-down crew, staying for a few days or up to a week (it is much quicker to pull it all down!) before returning to the real world, ready for the new year. Build roles are project orientated and require a bigger time commitment than Festival volunteer roles – most build volunteers will find themselves working for at least 14 days across the two-week build and pack down period.

During the Build period there is an evening programme of entertainment put together by the people, for the people. There are often performances in the evening, music jams around the fire and friends to make over a drink at the Workers Bar. Build volunteers are fed three healthy meals a day during the build and pack up periods (while working).

FESTIVAL Volunteers

Roughly 2000 volunteers arrive around Christmas (between the 24th & 27th of December) to help to create the magic of the festival itself. Festival volunteers work to keep us all comfortable, happy and well-fed during the 6-day festival; from our Intergalactic S-Bend Warriors who keep our amenities clean, to our Department of First Impressions who welcome the patrons with a smile and the Baristas, Bartenders and Bakers who keep us well fed there are hundreds of different volunteer roles during the Woodford Folk Festival.

Festival Volunteers are required to work 30-35 hours across the festival days (between 24th December and 2nd January, depending on the role requirements).

We are often asked for a list of roles available. The best way to find this is by clicking on ‘Apply Now’ and looking at the different positions listed – you can sort the page to show you every role available at the same time (this is best if you have time to sit and read through it all). We would love to help you find the volunteering role that makes your heart happy – which is why we have a detailed application process. We want to match your skills to the right position. Check out our FAQs for more info.