Whitby Stewarding FAQ & T&C

Sat 16th - Fri 23rd August 2024

Whitby Folk Week Stewarding - FAQ and T&Cs

Why would I want to be a volunteer steward?

Be an ambassador, learn new skills, make new friends - and it’s great fun!
Be part of the team, without whom the festival wouldn’t be possible
Become the eyes and ears of the festival
Make a big difference to everyone’s week
You get a free week long season ticket and free camping. This is worth over £200.

Am I eligible to apply?

You must be aged over 16 by the 15th Aug 2024.

If you are under 18 we will need written consent from your parent or guardian, and the roles you can volunteer for may be limited to the bigger venue teams. We will contact you separately regarding the written consent.

You must be committed to being part of a team.
You are able to volunteer for an average of 4 hrs per day.

How do I apply?

Please complete the online application as soon as possible. The earlier you apply, the more likely you are to get your preferred role.
You will get an automatic email response when you fill in your application - this includes a summary of your application. If you don’t get this email please let us know using the email address below, the most likely explanation is a typo in your email address so please don’t just apply again.
Please fill in the whole application form even if you steward regularly. Filling in the form really helps us with admin and ensures we have up to date contact information for you.
If your circumstances change, please let us know immediately via the email address below.
In spring we will confirm if your application has been successful. Then in early August we will confirm teams and send out rotas as soon as we can.

Other things you should know …

Applications are reviewed and will place you in the most suitable team. We try our best to take your preferences into account but some roles and times of day are always more popular than others. We want all our volunteers to have the best festival possible but can give no guarantees that you will get your first choice of venue.
You are expected to work the hours allocated to you. Anyone who fails to honor their stewarding commitments without a valid reason will have their ticket revoked and future applications may be turned down.
Please prioritise your stewarding duties even if they clash with events you want to attend. It may be possible to swap shifts by letting us or your team leader know well in advance.
Drinking alcohol whilst on shift is not allowed and you must be below the legal drink-drive limit at the start of your shift.
The campsite will be open from mid afternoon on Fri 16th August. The exact time will be confirmed nearer the time.
Dogs are not allowed on the festival campsite or in many of the venues.

Job roles include:

Campsites:

Working on the festival campsite(s). Jobs include directing people as they arrive and looking after the site facilities. Stewards to help with campsite set up and take down are also needed - see below.

Set up/Take down:

Working in the week before the festival setting up the campsites and infrastructure required. Lifting, shifting, problem solving, plumbing, basic electrical are all skills that we need. Help taking down the festival is also needed.

Logistics:

Working from the lead up though to the ‘knock down’, the festival’s army of doers who work in shifts to provide all of the support, running around, saving of the day that’s required to keep the festival operating. Everything from van driving, chair moving, venue dressing etc.

We also need a selection of technically biased and problem solving people to work with this taskforce throughout the week.

Children's Events:

We need stewards with valid enhanced DBS (formerly CRB) clearance to help out with the children’s festival, checking and selling tickets, keeping registers of parents’ details and helping out wherever necessary.

Concerts:

Selling and checking tickets on the doors of concerts, arranging rooms and looking after the safe running of the venues and events etc,.

Venues include:

Coliseum - concerts and workshops - daytime and evening

Conservative Club - concerts and workshops - daytime and evening

Metropole - concerts and workshops - daytime and evening

Mission Hall - workshops and family events - day time and evening

Rifle Club - concerts and workshops - daytime and evening

Flowergate Hall - concerts and workshops - daytime and evening.

Unitarian Chapel - concerts and workshops - daytime and evening.

There are other small venues used for occasional events

Collections:

A team of engaging and outgoing people to charm the crowds and collect money at dance spots, parades and in sessions.

Merchandise:

Working on one of the merchandise stalls selling t-shirts, programmes and other fine wares.

Parades:

Marshalling the dance parades (dancers, public and traffic!) and collecting through the town on the opening Saturday and final Friday. Yes, you do get to wear a hi-viz jacket.

Spa (Pavilion and Theatre):

This is the Festival’s biggest venue, using the exhibition hall, main hall, theatre, bar and foyer areas for concerts, ceilidhs and workshops. It requires a dedicated team of stewards (mainly working afternoons, evenings and late nights) to sell and check tickets, arrange the rooms where necessary and staff the numerous entrances to the venue.

Workshops:

Collecting and selling tickets at workshops that are not in the main concert venues eg in pubs and smaller venues. This may involve some walking between venues during your shift.