About Us

Big Chill Festival

You can gain free entrance to this summer's Big Chill Festival by joining our Campsite Assistant Teams (CATs) or Helpful Arena Teams (HATs)! The CATs & HATs play a big part in creating a good atmosphere and helping all to get the most out of their festival - by being there and helping people you can help us achieve this!

Current recruitment levels...

Big Chill Festival CAT & HAT volunteer places remaining: 1
Big Chill Festival CAT & HAT volunteer positions confirmed: 221

The figures above are a live feed direct from the Hotbox Events PAAM Application System. If the "places remaining" figure is very small (0-20) and you can't apply via Hotbox Events PAAM, it may be that the festival has closed for applications and the small figure shown is due to cancellations.

We do re-open closed festival applications once or twice a season to refill the openings created by cancellations. To be notified please keep an eye on the Hotbox Events News, subscribe to the Newsletter, and make sure you have a Hotbox Events PAAM account.

The CAT & HAT role can include...

Assisting festival goers with directions.
Helping festival goers carry their belongings and pitch their tents.
Answering questions about performances and line-ups.
Reporting back to management regarding any problems e.g. a build-up of litter or faulty facilities.
Working with Fire Safety, Medical and Security teams as required.

Anything else the CATs & HATs get up to?

The above are only examples - CAT & HAT duties vary throughout an event e.g. a team of CATs was called into Leeds Festival front of house (in front of the main stage) in 2008 to help hand out bottles of water to the crowds in the mosh pit!

All CATs & HATs are provided with...

A Crew Pass (provided on sign-in onsite), Info Pack and Uniform.
Camping facilities in a secure crew area.
Access to the crew café, bar, toilets, and showers!
A t-shirt you can keep to prove you worked at the festival!
Time to enjoy the show - you only work 3 x 8 hr shifts (24 hrs in total throughout the festival) - all CAT & HAT staff and volunteers are welcome to enjoy the festival when off-shift!

Application deadlines...

All applicants need to pass a PNC check before working on-site. This will be completed by Festival Republic once your position has been confirmed. Applicants' details need to be sent to the police no later than the 23rd July 2010. If you have not applied and paid a deposit by the 23rd July 2010 you will not be able to work at Big Chill Festival.

Before you apply...

Much of the information you will require prior to application is provided below (on this webpage).

Please also read the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) and Application Guidelines (you can find the Application Guidelines via the PAAM login page) - please read all pages thoroughly before applying.

To apply you will need to...

Be 18 or over by the date of arrival below.
Be available to arrive at the Festival site by 09:00 at the latest on Thursday 5th August 2010 - you're welcome to arrive from midday on Wednesday 4th. Please note the shifts are allocated on a first come first served basis.
Be available for a briefing at either 21:00 Wednesday 4th or 10:00 Thursday 5th.
Be available to work 3 x 8 hour shifts at any time between 08:00 Thursday 5th and 16:00 Monday 9th.
Be prepared to wear a CAT or HAT uniform when on-shift (provided onsite).
Report in every two hours to your supervisor with information, or immediately in the case of any problems.
Supply photographic ID on arrival.
Provide a refundable deposit of £225.00 GBP.

Some info about the role, more is provided in the CAT & HAT Info Pack...

Each CAT & HAT volunteer works 3 x 8 hr shifts ONLY (24 hrs in total throughout the festival).
CAT & HAT staff work from 3 x 8 hr shifts to 10 hrs per day depending on position.
The first CAT & HAT shift starts at 08:00 Thursday 5th August.
The CATs & HATs are on-shift 24 hours between 08:00 Thursday and 16:00 Monday.
All CATs & HATs are required to work one night shift.
The final CAT & HAT shift finishes at 16:00 Monday.
When off-shift you are free to enjoy the festival.
The shift times are: Early: 08:00 > 16:00, Late: 16:00 > 00:00, Night: 00:00 > 08:00.
We are unable to allocate specific shifts prior to the event.
You can apply to swap any shift you are allocated via your supervisor.
We try to be as fair to everyone as possible when allocating shifts - all volunteers have at least one of the main event afternoons or evenings off.

If your application is successful we will...

Provide a Crew Pass (provided on sign-in onsite).
Provide a CAT & HAT Info Pack prior to your arrival on-site - this pack thoroughly details your role and responsibilities at the festival, and provides information about the festival and site itself you will require whilst working there.
Provide a CAT or HAT uniform - the t-shirt you can keep to prove you worked at the festival!
Provide a means of communicating with your supervisors.
Conduct a thorough on-site briefing.
Provide camping facilities in a secure crew area.
Provide access to the crew café, bar, toilets, and showers!

Join the newsletter...

Firstly, if you haven't already please subscribe to the Hotbox Events Newsletter!

This way we can keep you updated - inform you when the festivals application goes live each year, let you know when to expect your CAT & HAT Info Pack, and keep you updated with last minute changes.

We promise not to overwhelm your inbox - we generally send out just one newsletter per month.

How to apply...

You can apply to work at the Big Chill Festival with Hotbox Events via PAAM by clicking here.

The PAAM application usually goes live in March.

We let everyone know via the newsletter - so please make sure you've subscribed!

You can find the application guidelines via the PAAM login page.

Any questions? Try the FAQ or the Forum!

Following application...

You need to send a deposit to secure your position(s).

Your deposit needs to be paid after you have applied.

Paying a deposit does not confirm your position at an event; applications are assessed and positions confirmed individually by a member of Hotbox Events staff after a deposit has been paid.

Positions are filled on a first-come first-served basis.

Generally, we only refuse applications for one of the following three reasons:

The applicant does not fulfil the criteria specified by the festival specific "about" pages on the www.HotboxEvents.com website - the sections titled "To apply you will need to...".
If it is ascertained the applicant has previously been blacklisted by Hotbox Events or another festival staff or volunteer organisation which provides staff or volunteers to Festival Republic Festivals and/or Events.
The applicant fails a PNC check.

You only need to pay 1 deposit per year i.e. 1 deposit covers all festivals you would like to work at.

You can pay your deposit online via a major debit or credit card, or by posting a Cheque, Postal Order, Bankers Draft, by making a BACS transfer, or via PayPal.

You can find further details about paying your deposit within PAAM once you have setup an account.

Please also read the Hotbox Events Terms and Conditions.

Use of your email address...

Please supply an email address in your application. GMail from Google is a great free email provider if you don't have an account - or are fed up with the one you have!

Please check your email account regularly and check that your inbox isn't full - we receive HUNDREDS of notifications each month that email accounts are full!

Your email address will only be used for contacting you regarding working at events - under no circumstances will we sell, give away or otherwise divulge your personal information to anyone or anything.