Volunteering at Cheltenham Festivals
“A totally random week — full of good experiences — a real team effort.”
Science volunteer
Working with Cheltenham Jazz, Science, Music and Literature Festivals for the duration of each festival. Every year, we have a limited number of places available to highly-motivated and enthusiastic volunteers who are committed.
Festival volunteering — what does this entail?
The working day is long but varied, and jobs can range from page-turning to stacking chairs, from publicity work to stage management and front of house. We also run education and community projects with which you might be involved. We aim to give all our volunteers experience in all areas of the festival, but it may also be possible to accommodate individuals with expertise in certain areas.
In return for this, we provide free accommodation (possibly in shared rooms), travel expenses and a contribution towards living expenses of about £10 per day.
Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions.
If you think this sounds an attractive prospect, please send us your CV together with a covering letter giving details of your experience in the relevant area.
Volunteers must be age 18 or over to apply.
Contact us
Contact our festival teams for further information: Jazz, Science, Music, Literature and don’t forget to check our blog regularly for all news about volunteering and internships.
What our volunteers say…
“The opportunity to work for one of the most renowned festival organisations is one not to be missed. If you have a passion for the world of the arts, a love of meeting new people (of both the normal and famous variety) or are simply interested in the inner workings of putting together large scale events, volunteering for the festival places you at the hub of the ideal environment.”
Jemma
“From taking on the Blue Peter style task of making the newspaper stands before the festival begins, to escorting the likes of Roger Moore to book signings, volunteers have the chance to experience every aspect of the festival in all its diversity. You have to be prepared to get stuck in, but this is a fantastic way to try things you would not normally do. The jobs range from dressing up as Kipper the Dog to being a camera man, so you never know what you may end up doing. There are definitely some quirky CV boosters!”
“As well as helping with the events, shifts on the information desk, and in places like the writers room mean you can have quite a jam packed day. It all builds up to giving you an insight into what it takes to make it all come together, and the hard work is worth it for that surreal moment when you find yourself camouflaged under a large pile of canvas Times Tea Tent bags on your way to the Everyman, and Kate Adie walks past you!”
“Like a pick ‘n’ mix there is something for everyone, and you are given every opportunity to try out different elements that contribute to making the festival the success it is. Working as part of the festival team requires initiative, stamina, and enthusiasm and in return you get to experience what it is like to work at the very heart of one of the most prestigious festival organisations around.”
