A festival is a big undertaking, and depends a lot our volunteer team 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 as well as the opportunity to hear some of today’s most outstanding poets.

 

Below are some of 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!

 

If you would like more information on any of the following, please send an email to hello@winchesterpoetryfestival.org

 

In Person

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.

 

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.

 

General Helpers/Runners

The festival also needs volunteers to help with various administration duties such as putting up posters, updating display boards, keeping track of whereabouts of performers, answering queries from audience members.

 

 

Volunteering remotely

There are opportunities to volunteer from the comfort of your own home in the run-up to the festival. This could include creating social media assets, digital marketing and publicity, proofreading, and assisting with various administrative tasks. 

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This list is not exhaustive as there are many ways in which volunteers can help.

Volunteering for Winchester Poetry Festival

 

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 engaging with people from all backgrounds

• Support the festival's commitment to making events welcoming

 

Training for Volunteers
We will be holding event briefings in the build up to the festival, covering a range of issues including Health & Safety and festival procedures, which all Stewards need to attend. The dates for these will be announced later in the year.

 

How to apply

If you would like to volunteer for the festival please email hello@winchesterpoetryfestival.org to register your interest or download and complete the form below.

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