Hey everyone,
Bit of a long-winded question but basically this is my first time at Leeds and my first time volunteering at any festival, so I applied with my friends thinking we were all applying for the same thing but they applied to Oxfam thinking I was applying there, and I applied to Hotbox thinking that's where they were applying.
HUGE blonde moment haha :p so basically we were all going to share a tent but as we're now in different camping areas we cant, so just wondering if peole tend to do CAT volunteering in groups or alone normally? Is it the sort of place where everyone gets to know each other quite quickly because you all volunteer together and everything? Sorry about all the questions, it sounds really friendly :) It wasn't exactly my finest moment when I found out we'd applied for different places by mistake.
Looking forward to meeting all my future shift buddies though :p and if anyone could give me Leeds tips that would be lovely! By the way is food and stuff provided in the cafe and bar, because i heard there was a cafe on site. Does anyone know how many people roughly volunteer as CATs every year?
Thank-you!!
Camping at Leeds
- 1.7K Views
- Last Post 21 March 2011
Hi Emerlina
Welcome to CATs, please dont worry, there are plenty of applicants who will be also be camping on their own, a lot of friends work for different companies and tend to meet up in between shifts etc, but then retire to their own designated area as most companies will not allow volunteers/workers from other organisations to stay on their sites.
You will have the opportunity to meet lots of friends, we are a very friendly bunch at Leeds and Reading and you will have a great time with us.
Heya Emerlina,
I like you applied the first year to go myself(back in 2007) I've been ever year since and will be back again this year. I applied all alone and met some very friendly people in the first year who I got to know very well, see them ever year now. They're all a very friendly bunch at Leeds festival and I'm sure you won't be the only one who applies on their own and be in the same boat as yourself. I'm sure you will have a ball and meet some great people.
I think the majority of first time CATs come alone, and then return the following year with the friends they've made! If the campsite isn't too crowded then a fair few tents can also be seen being carried across to new friends met on the first day/shift.
There is a crew cafe but you still have to pay for your meals there (at a discounted price if you get a ticket thingy from the CAT office on your way over, and the tickets from the CAT office just deduct the amount from your deposit so you don't end up spending all your cash and queuing for 2 hours for the ATM). Oxfam get free meal tickets at some events though so it might be different for your friends but it's the same cafe for everyone.
Oh and there should be just under 550 CATs at Leeds this year. You can see how many places are filled and how many still available/waiting deposit here http://www.hotboxevents.com/about/leeds/
Hey Emerlina, everyone is so friendly at leeds.
Over the past 5years i have met some awesome people who i keep in touch with and who come back to work at leeds each year.
So we all end up camping near each other to have a catch up and have a brilliant time.
You will be fine, trust me, so many people come on their own and makes friends on the day they arrive.
I LOVE working leeds festival. Any questions on what to bring, just ask us.
Pouring rain, scorching hot, we have had it all.
Don't forget your wellies!!!! XXX
coming for first time to leeds fest as a volunteer...went last year with friends (had to pay for ticket) and had the time of my life and one of the best birthdays i've ever had...this time around we are all broke so decided to try this out...coming on my own so hoping to make some new friends and have a blast [:D]
