SAFEGUARDING TEAM

There’s a range of volunteer roles to suit everyone! Some positions call for specific skills and experience, while others just need your energy and enthusiasm. What all Big Church volunteers share is a passion for serving, the ability to follow directions, and a desire to help make the festival run smoothly.

Volunteering with Big Church Festival is more than just getting a free pass (though you’ll get to experience plenty of the event!). We’re looking for dedicated individuals who are excited to help bring this incredible festival to life. Come join us in making Big Church an unforgettable experience for everyone!

We would love to have you volunteer with us! More information regarding applying can be found here. 

No, you won’t need to make any payment upfront to volunteer, but we do ask for card details to secure your spot.

In past years, up to 20% of volunteers each year either didn’t turn up or cancelled last-minute, putting additional strain on the rest of the volunteer team – while also costing Big Church Festival over £10,000! Big Church Festival is a charity, and this was a major problem we needed to address. 

To be fair to our volunteers and to keep things running smoothly, we introduced a card-hold policy, which has dramatically reduced last minute cancellations and no shows. 

The result? A smoother, more enjoyable experience for everyone involved!

This year, we’re continuing with this approach. Your card will only be charged if you cancel without a valid reason (such as illness or family emergency), don’t show up, or do not complete your shifts.

We understand that plans can change, so here’s how it works if you do need to cancel:

• Cancel up to midnight on 14th July 2025: No charge
• Cancel between the 15th to 28th July 2025: 25% of full ticket price = £36
• Cancel between 29th July to 15th August: 50% of full ticket price = £72
• Cancel after 15th August or don’t complete shifts: 100% of ticket price = £144

We’ll notify you before any charge is made, and no money will be taken when you apply. Your card details are securely stored by our payment provider and are not accessible to our team.

Once you’ve completed your application form and provided two references, we’ll review it and reach out to your referees within five working days. As soon as we receive a response from your referees, and providing everything is in order, we’ll be delighted to confirm your spot!

Please keep in mind that the timeline for acceptance can depend on how quickly your referees respond. If things are moving slower than expected, feel free to give them a gentle reminder.

Placements are confirmed on a first-come, first-served basis, and we’ll do our best to assign you to your preferred role. However, if your top choice is already filled or we believe another role might be a better fit, we may need to adjust.

Generally, we only decline applications if:

• The applicant doesn’t meet the criteria listed in our Terms and Conditions (available during the application).
• You’ve previously missed shifts without providing a suitable reason.
• Your referee has advised it may not be suitable for you to serve.
• You apply too late or leave parts of the form incomplete.

If you haven’t heard back in 6 weeks, please reach out to us on [email protected]

You’ll have scheduled breaks for lunch and dinner, with timing tailored to your role. Your Team Leader will ensure you have time to recharge! If you have any special requirements or concerns, just reach out to us at [email protected] ahead of the festival – we’re here to help.

Absolutely! You’re welcome to request one friend to volunteer alongside you. Just be sure you both list each other’s names on your applications, apply at the same time, and select the same team. We’ll do our best to make it work! (And remember, placements are first come, first served!)

The minimum age to volunteer is 16. If you’re 16 or 17, we will require written permission from your parent or guardian before we can confirm your place on the team. Unfortunately, we aren’t able to accept volunteers under 16. There’s no upper age limit – everyone is welcome, and there’s a role for everyone!

To volunteer in the UK, you must meet one of the following criteria:

• Citizenship in the UK, Republic of Ireland, Isle of Man, or Channel Islands (Common Travel Area)
• EU/EEA citizenship with Settled or Pre-Settled Status in the UK
• A valid Working Holiday Visa

If you hold a different visa or immigration status, please ensure you have the right to volunteer in the UK before applying. You’ll be asked to confirm any restrictions or limitations on your application form.

Please note, we’re unable to support volunteer visas or provide invitation letters for visa applications. For further details on visa requirements, please visit www.gov.uk.

On average it takes about 6 weeks from the time you submit your application, this should allow time for your referees to respond to us, although it can take longer. If it’s been over six weeks since you applied, we recommend reaching out to your referees to ensure they’ve received and completed the form. It’s also important to check you submitted their email addresses correctly when you completed your application. If needed, we can resend the referee forms or change your referees – just email us on [email protected].

We have the amazing Georgia who manages all our lovely volunteers! Please email her on [email protected] and she will be happy to answer any questions you may have!