Volunteers at Wenlock Poetry Festival

A festival is a big undertaking, and depends a lot on those who live in the area giving up their time to help. In return you get the enjoyment of being part of something exciting and the knowledge that you were one of those who made it happen!

Below are some the roles and tasks we need your help with. You can do something as simple and one-off as leafleting your own road or commit to doing something throughout the festival – it is ALL extremely useful to us! Keep checking back as we will be adding new roles all the time.

If you would like more information on any of the following or to offer your time, please send an email to buffy_wpf@hotmail.co.uk. You can also talk to Anna Dreda at Wenlock Books who will pass your information on.

Event Stewards

Event Stewards come for a morning, afternoon or evening session during the festival. They meet and greet members of the public at Festival events. They take tickets, answer queries, give directions, help with setting up the venue and help seat the audience. They may be involved in helping to organise book signings after the event. They usually sit in on the Event.

Children’s Event Stewards

They meet and greet members of the public and their children. They take tickets, answer queries, give directions and help set up at the venue if required. They sit in on the Event. Experience of dealing with children and families, as a parent, teacher, playworker, grandparent or older sibling is useful but not essential in this role. Many of our young adult stewards enjoy helping with Children’s events.

Workshop Stewards

Workshops Stewards look after the authors and participants in our workshop events. They meet and greet members of the public, take tickets, answer queries, give directions, make refreshments and are likely to be needed to help move chairs and tables in the workshop room. They sit in on and are encouraged to participate in the event. This role is fairly active.

Serving Refreshments

The Festival needs volunteers to help run the Festival Green Room, making and serving tea, coffee and biscuits or cakes. The Cafe can be hectic at busy times! Duties include making tea and coffee, serving poets and clearing up afterwards. Good personal hygiene is essential, but you do not need any catering or food hygiene qualifications.

General Administration

The Festival also needs volunteers to help with various administration duties such as help in the ticket office, putting up posters and updating display boards.

Box Office

Box Office volunteers sell WPF tickets through the Box Office located in Barrow Street, Much Wenlock. A cheery smile for callers and an ability to sell to the public in person and on the phone are a pre-requisite. No computer skills are required - just an ability to follow some simple guidelines and some basic secretarial skills. These may include selling tickets, handling post, form-filling, filing, answering the phone and responding to messages. A rota is organised in 3-hour slots throughout the Box Office opening period and Festival weekend.

This list is not exhaustive as there are many other roles to be filled. Watch this space!

Qualifications for all Volunteering Roles

No previous experience is needed but you will need to be:

• Over 16
• Punctual and reliable
• Practical and hardworking
• Have a courteous, calm approach to the public
• Enjoy dealing with people
• Supportive of the Festival in its commitment to making events accessible and welcoming
• Some volunteers need to be more active than others: pick the role which suits your needs.

Training and Rewards for Volunteers

We provide a Festival Briefing in the build up to the Festival, covering a range of issues including Health and Safety and Festival procedures, which all Stewards need to attend.

Volunteers get regular news updates on what’s happening at the Festival.

There may also be an opportunity to gain a free NVQ 2 qualification in Customer Service. Please enquire if you are interested.