Festival of Tomorrow Volunteer Application form

BE PART OF THE FESTIVAL OF TOMORROW: 13-21 FEBRUARY 2026

The Festival of Tomorrow blends the creative arts with research and innovation to explore the ideas that will shape our shared future.

We work with partners from academia, industry, government, charities and the arts to create opportunities for everyone to engage with knowledge, research, innovation and creativity - and how they can shape our choices in a changing world.

We do this through cutting edge exhibitions, spectacular art installations, hands-on activities talks, shows and workshops and content that our visitors of all ages and backgrounds find surprising, entertaining, inspiring and accessible.

Making the Festival of Tomorrow happen wouldn’t be possible without the help of our volunteers. Whether it’s manning an information point, getting hands on with creative activities, helping to manage smooth running of talks and demonstrations, or providing a warm welcome for visitors, event volunteers play a vital role in making the festival happen. 

For some people it’s the excitement of event day and meeting new people. For others, it’s developing new skills and being ‘behind the scenes’ at talks and events. But most of all our volunteers are passionate about helping to inspire the next generation of scientists, researchers, engineers and creative minds. 

WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING?

We need a team of friendly, engaging people to help visitors to have a brilliant experience. As one of our volunteer team, you may be asked to:

  • Welcome visitors to events and exhibits
  • Help direct visitors between venues
  • Hand out programmes or other literature
  • Provide information for visitors - especially about what they can see, do and get involved with
  • Help with queue management and visitor flow around a venue
  • Help steward talks, shows and performances
  • Help with set up and clear down for talks and demonstrations
  • Keep a tally of the numbers of visitors in exhibition and event spaces 
  • Act as runner for assisting with queries from exhibitors and performers
  • Help with directing visitors & exhibitors to car-parking spaces
  • Assist with completing photography/videography consent forms with visitors
  • Encourage visitors to complete feedback surveys
We're also looking for volunteers who are happy to get stuck in to helping out with specific activities, such as:
  • Helping to run arts and crafts activities for families
  • Helping exhibitors with demonstrations or interactive activities
Please let us know below which tasks you would be most interested in. 

WHERE AND WHEN?

The Festival of Tomorrow takes place across multiple venues around Swindon between 9-21 February 2026.

These include Steam - The Museum of the Great Western Railway, Swindon Designer Outlet, the Carriage Works, the Brunel shopping centre, the Deanery CE Academy, among others. 

We are now particularily in need of help on Sunday 15th, Friday 20th and Saturday 21st February,  but always welcome help at our daytime activities over the half-term week 14-21 February.

We'd also welcome a few helpers to lend a hand with getting set up on Friday 13 February.

Our Volunteer Coordinator will be in touch to discuss rotas and responsibilities as soon as possible after your application. 

WHAT SKILLS, EXPERIENCE AND ATTRIBUTES DO YOU NEED?

Along with having great communication and interpersonal skills, we ask that you are:

  • Flexible and happy to get stuck in
  • Willing to become familiar with and then follow the Fire Safety Procedures and Health and Safety Procedures at all times, including supporting the evacuation of visitors in an emergency
  • Enthusiastic about research, science or the creative arts and the aims of the Festival of Tomorrow
  • Willing to work as part of a team.
  • Willing to work outside for limited periods, if needed (eg helping direct visitors in the car park at the busiest times)

If you have specific skills or experience that might be useful please let us know below.

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Email *
ABOUT YOU
Name *
First and last name
Email *
Mobile Phone number *
Please tell us why you are interested in volunteering for the Festival of Tomorrow *
Please tell us about any particular skills, interests or experience you can bring to a volunteer role
Which task(s) are you most interested in?
Tick all that apply
 *
Required
When are you available to volunteer during the Festival of Tomorrow?
We are now particularily looking for Sunday 15th, Friday 20th & Saturday 21st February
9.00 AM - 1.00 PM
11.00AM - 3PM
12.30PM - 5.30PM
ALL DAY (9.00 - 5.30PM)
Friday 13 February (helping with setup)
Saturday 14 February
Sunday 15 February
Monday 16 February
Tuesday 17 February
Wednesday 18 February
Thursday 19 February
Friday 20 February
Saturday 21 February
How much time would you be willing to volunteer for the Festival of Tomorrow?
(eg. 'Up to 4 full days')
If you have any custom shift requests or comments about your availability, please let us know here:
Please let us know if you have any health conditions or other special requirements which you would like us to take into consideration. This information is requested so that we may care for your needs. All of your details will always be kept confidential.
PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEOGRAPHY CONSENT 

During our events, workshops and projects, we will sometimes take photographs and videos to share the event’s vibe and activities.  Some photographs or videos may capture your participation, directly or indirectly.

These photos and videos may be published through our website, social media pages, email news bulletins, posters and printed marketing materials, press releases, evaluations and funding applications.

The photos and videos may be shared with third party organisations in order to fulfil these purposes e.g. providing images to design /print agencies, media outlets or to funders.

The Festival of Tomorrow will always use any images in line with UK Data Protection Laws. You have a number of rights in relation to how we use your image and you can withdraw your consent at any time. To do this you can contact the Festival by emailing us at rodhebden@newelements.uk if you change your mind (note: this will not apply to material already published).

I grant Festival of Tomorrow or those authorised on behalf of the Festival permission to take photographs and / or video of me in my capacity as a volunteer during the event(s) and to use the images resulting for marketing, fundraising, publicity or other purposes to help achieve the group’s aims. This might include (but is not limited to), the right to use them in their printed and online publicity, social media, press releases and funding applications, and the right to share the images resulting from the photography/ videography with third party organisations third party organisations in order to fulfil these purposes e.g. providing images to design/ print agencies, media outlets or to funders.

Emergency Contact Details

Who would you like us to contact in the unlikely event of an emergency while you are volunteering with us?

First and Last name:


 *
Relationship to you: *
Telephone number: *
Thank you for your interest in volunteering with us

Festival of Tomorrow reserves the right to accept or reject applications for its volunteer opportunities at its own discretion.

By completing this form you agree to your information being held by the organisation for the purpose of processing applications, managing volunteers and monitoring volunteer activity. 

A copy of your responses will be emailed to the address you provided.
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