Volunteer at festivals

This year, the Oxfam campaigners asked every single one of you to ‘Demand action until you’re blue in the face’. By agreeing to have your face painted blue – following the lead of Fatboy Slim, Jarvis, Little Boots and VV Brown – you can join the growing global movement of people determined to take action on climate change.

This is a selection of famous blue paint jobs photographed by Rankin. The film below was premiered on the big screen at Glastonbury.

Thumbnail image of Fatboy Slim with his face painted blue [Photo credit: Rankin]

"I love the idea of people painting their faces blue for climate change at festivals this summer. It's a fun way to get people engaged in a more serious issue. Even Woody will get a blue paintjob for the occassion! I'm sure people will have a great time being inventive about what they should paint. Hopefully it won't rain and we'll have fields of blue paint and maybe even blue cows!"
Fatboy Slim
Photo credit: Rankin

Thumbnail image of Little Boots with his face painted blue [Photo credit: Rankin]

"Doing nothing is not the answer to fighting climate change. Go blue, demand Gordon Brown takes the lead in protecting the people of this beautiful planet and kiss goodbye to climate change. If everyone does their bit we can save the planet."
Little Boots
Photo credit: Rankin

Thumbnail image of Jarvis Cocker with his face painted blue [Photo credit: Rankin]

Jarvis Cocker
Photo credit: Rankin

Thumbnail image of VV Brown with his face painted blue [Photo credit: Rankin]

"Cover yourself in blue paint, scream till you're blue in the face, talk to your MP, talk to your mum, recycle, walk more, sign a petition. Festivals are about reminding yourself what it means to be a human being and there are millions of people out there who are already up against it in the face of climate change. I can't stand people telling me what to do so if you don't want to cover yourself in blue paint then don't- but do something else instead to put an end to this madness now."
VV Brown
Photo credit: Rankin

Thumbnail image of The View with his face painted blue [Photo credit: Rankin]

"Climate change affects us all, and if we, me and you both don't do something about it now it will effect generations to come. Do something now and demand an end to climate change."
Kyle Falconer for The View
Photo credit: Rankin

Thumbnail image of Luke from The Kooks with his face painted blue [Photo credit: Rankin]

"Most of us are lucky enough to not notice the effects of climate change yet. But it is already becoming real for people in less fortunate places in this world. You can do something like me, paint yourself and stick two fingers up to those standing in the way of change."
Luke from The Kooks
Photo credit: Rankin

Thumbnail image of Tom Smith from the Editors with his face painted blue [Photo credit: Rankin]

Tom Smith from the Editors
Photo credit: Rankin

Thumbnail image of Sam Duckworth from Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly. with his face painted blue [Photo credit: Rankin]

"This is the choice: either one: world leaders protect us all from climate change and we cheer or two: they don't, we feel a little bit stupid having hung out in blue paint - but then we get the chance to vent our disgust at the ballot box."
Sam Duckworth from Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly.
Photo credit: Rankin

Climate change is affecting poor people around the world today. This December, world leaders are meeting in Copenhagen to negotiate a new global climate deal. It’s up to all of us to make sure the deal is fair and safe for people living in poverty.

So whether you’re a steward, campaigner, volunteer or festival goer, get your blue paint job at the Oxfam tent. The campaigners will help you take a snapshot and your photo will be added to a massive petition; you’ll be making sure the PM gets the message that it’s time for bold and genuine action on climate change. As the numbers grow, we'll be updating a bigger gallery of blue faces, and you'll be able to find your own photo.

Campaigning at festivals for Oxfam

Campaigning at festivals involves helping co-ordinate and promote a variety of fun, interactive Oxfam initiatives, aimed at encouraging festivalgoers to get involved with our campaigning work.

As a campaigner, you may be asked to inform festivalgoers about Oxfam's campaigning work and encourage them to sign petitions, upload photos to our festival gallery or simply visit our festival marquee and get involved with Oxfam.

Find out more about campaigning for Oxfam at festivals

Stewarding at festivals for Oxfam

In brief, a steward acts as the eyes and ears of the festival. As a steward, you must be aware of what is happening around the festival site. People will approach stewards for guidence and information about the festival, so your primary role is to keep people safe and informed.

General stewarding roles may include staffing gates, checking tickets and passes, patroling campsites and keeping an eye out for overcrowding and safety in the arena.

Stewarding at festivals does not involve cleaning loos, security work i.e crowd control, expulsions etc, and you will not be talking to the public about Oxfam’s campaigning work.

Find out more about stewarding for Oxfam at festivals

Trading at festivals
(Helping to run the shop)

At every festival there are 1000s of people, many of whom will be in need of warmth and comfort. We aim to provide this. The money raised can also be used to provide warmth and comfort around the globe. In essence the festival shop sells anything from top hats to flip-flops to raise as much money as possible.

Find out more about helping to run the shop