Malorie Perry talks festival stewarding with Oxfam…

Fancy doing something different this summer?

Oxfam recruit over 5000 volunteers a year to support the UK’s best festivals.

We spoke to Malorie Perry, 23 about how she got hooked on stewarding at festivals with Oxfam…

‘I first stumbled across festival stewarding 4 years ago when I was browsing the Oxfam website looking for volunteering opportunities. Being a penniless student at the time, an avid gig go-er and looking to do something for charity, this seemed perfect.

My first festival was Glastonbury, where Oxfam provide some 2000-plus stewards. I thought I would go by myself in an attempt to build my confidence and meet new people, I soon learnt that there are actually a lot of lone stewards, but you are certainly not lone for very long. It is so easy to get involved and everyone is so welcoming. At my first festival I met a lovely group of people and we have stewarded together every year since.

People of all background and ages

Volunteering-wise, all roles I have done involve the public, from checking tickets at the VIP vehicle gate at Glastonbury to wrist-banding at Download. Alongside loving the voluntary stuff, at every festival there is such a variety of stewards, experienced, new, young, old, children are even welcome to come along with their parents. My Mum is even hooked on Womad!

Admittedly the thought of three eight hour shifts in the rain did not exactly sound like a ball but I soon learnt that the shifts are loads of fun and add to the overall festival experience. Oxfam are always on hand with cups of tea in the pouring rain, sun cream when the sun decides to make an appearance or anything else you might need…. like crowns if there happens to be a Jubilee party… they really have thought of everything!

Making a difference has never been so much fun

The Oxfam campsite has excellent facilities, showers (with shorter queues), loos (with a much higher toilet to person ratio), you feel safe leaving your things in your tent and I have never been disappointed with the catering they provide. In fact, Nuts catering at Glastonbury is something I look forward to all year round.

At the end of the day you are making friends, having loads of fun whilst having the self satisfaction that you are helping raise money for an amazing charity. By yourself or with a group of friends I would recommend stewarding with Oxfam this summer and every summer’.

To sign up as an Oxfam steward visit www.oxfam.org.uk/stewarding to get access to amazing entertainment whilst getting hands on with fundraising for humanitarian projects.

You can also check out latest opportunities from the Oxfam festivals team and other top festival recruiters on vinspired.com.