VOLUNTEER AT READING BEER FESTIVAL

staff serving customers at the reading beer festival bar

Why Volunteer?

Everything you see at the festival is built in the week before we open including; the marquee, roads, bars and stillaging. Thankfully, we have contractors to build these which is quicker and safer. Everything else is built by volunteers.

While we have a dedicated team of volunteers who turn up year after year, we always need more people to help.

If you think you would like to volunteer, join our Facebook group and chat to us. We’re a sociable bunch and whatever your skills and abilities, we’re sure to find a job that you can enjoy.

Volunteers are needed for:

Setup, Monday 4th May – Thursday 7th May.

Open Days, 7th May – 10th May.

Takedown, Monday 11th May, plus Tuesday and Wednesday.

Who can volunteer?

Usually, volunteers must be members of CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale. If you are not a member but wish to volunteer, please consider joining. However, we do sometimes have a few volunteers who are not CAMRA members, but only if they are personally known by one of the festival organisers.

What sort of jobs are there?

The work at the Festival falls into two main areas: Setup/Takedown jobs and Open jobs. The jobs whilst the Festival is open to the public are more varied, so there’s a wide choice of areas to work in.

Reading Beer and Cider Festival staff at the bar
Pouring a pint at the Reading Beer and Cider Festival

Open Jobs

Serving at the bars – beer, cider, foreign beer, wine

Entrance – selling entry tickets, glasses, programmes.

Stewarding – although we need some stewards who are officially qualified, not all of them need be. Stewarding isn’t all security.
If you are interested in gaining your SIA qualification as a member of our Stewarding Team, we may be able to fund your training.

Behind the scenes – the jobs which are not directly customer facing. This could involve help with barrels (some heavy lifting), or some lighter duties such as litter picking.

Where appropriate, tools and safety gear is provided.

…and more besides…

Setup and Take-down Jobs

For some of Setup and Take-down, we require volunteers who are physically fit as the work can be demanding with heavy lifting. There is also a limited number of stewarding jobs such as traffic control and gate keeper.
Reading Beer Festival offers generous benefits to volunteers:

Volunteer Benefits

  • Free food and drink – beers, ciders wines, soft drinks and food from the food traders.
  • Unlimited free entry to the Festival even on days you are not working.
  • A friendly community – a very good way to make new friends.
  • Staff party after closing on Sunday night – Any left over beer is free for volunteers.
  • Helpers’ Trip – We usually offer a brewery visit to thank our volunteers later in the year.
Reading Beer and Cider Festival volunteer at the 2019 site
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