Festival Volunteer

• Orkney Folk Festival

• VO102225

Volunteering details

Our festival is entirely run by volunteers. It is planned by a volunteer committee, overseen by a board of trustees. Additional volunteers are taken onboard for the week of the festival to help us set up, run events, then clear down the venues again. A small number of volunteers are also involved in running our shop, and driving our artist minibuses.

Volunteers get to be at the heart of the action, and generally get many chances to listen to great music. During events, volunteers need to be quite flexible to help out where required, so might not be able to watch entire concerts. We gather a list of interested volunteers, then in March once our programme is finalised, we email out volunteer availability forms where you can indicate as much or as little availability as you like and note any preferences/requirements.

Key activities include:
• Greeting customers and managing queues;
• Checking tickets (digital ticket scanners);
• Directing customers to seats, toilets etc;
• Assisting committee with small general tasks;
• Tidying after events.

What could a volunteer gain from the experience?
• Customer service experience;
• Experience being involved in the running of a music festival;
• Experience being involved in the running of a community event, which is on an international scale.

Experience required

• Positive attitude towards customers;
• An interest in music or community events;
• Local knowledge is desirable, but not essential, and a small number of our volunteers do visit from elsewhere;
• Team player willing to take guidance from the festival representative running your event.

• About
• Location
• Notes

Date

21 May 2025

Support

Training details

We offer an optional in-person induction close to the festival week, and also email out a PDF of instructions and festival policies prior to the festival. Attending the induction is optional, but reading the instructions and policies is essential. During volunteer shifts, a festival representative is always present to guide the volunteer team, no volunteer is left in charge without support. The representative is either a committee member, board member, or a highly trained volunteer with access to committee communications in case extra help is required.

Restrictions

Only some venues and roles would be suitable for those needing wheelchair access.

Volunteers (aged 12-25) taking part in this opportunity are eligible to claim Saltire Awards hours for their activity.
Find out more

This volunteering opportunity is also advertised across Orkney.

With a My Volunteer Account you can write private notes on opportunities you are interested in. Sign in or sign up for a My Volunteer Account.