CATs Info Leeds Festival

Gain free entrance to this summer's Leeds Festival by joining Festival Republic´s Campsite Assistant Teams (CATs).

Typical duties of a volunteer include:

  • Assisting festival goes with directions.
  • Helping festival goers carry their belongings and pitch their tents.
  • Reporting back on any problems — such as litter and facilities.

In return for their efforts all volunteers are provided with:

  • A Crew Pass.
  • A CAT Pack.
  • A CAT Uniform.
  • A Secure Camping area.
  • Access to the Crew Café, Bar, Toilets, and Hot Showers!

All volunteers are welcome to enjoy the festival when they are off-shift.

Current recruitment levels

Leeds Festival CAT volunteer places available: 334

Leeds Festival CAT volunteer positions confirmed: 250

Leeds Festival CAT volunteer applications received: 769

Application deadlines

We need to PNC check all volunteers, these names need to be sent to the police in 3 stages:

70% of names sent no later than the 11th July 2008.

90% of names sent no later than the 23rd July 2008.

100% of names sent no later than the 6th August 2008.

So although the final deadline is the 6th August — this is the deadline for the final 10% of names, so even if we have more than 10% of places remaining we can only accept a further 10% of previously confirmed positions. If you have not applied and paid a deposit by the 6th August you will not be able to volunteer at Leeds Festival.

Before you apply

Many details you require prior to application are provided below, within the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ), and Application Guidelines — please read all pages thoroughly before applying.

To apply you will need to

  • Be 18 or over
  • Be available to arrive at the Leeds Festival site by midday (21:00 at the latest) on the Wednesday prior to the weekend of the event.
  • Be available for a briefing at either 13:00 or 22:00.
  • Be available to work 3 x 8 hour shifts at any time between 14:00 Wednesday (or midnight Wednesday if arriving for the later briefing) and 16:00 Monday.
  • Wear a CAT uniform when on-shift.
  • Report in every two hours to your area supervisor in the Campsite or Arena Office with information, or immediately in the case of any problems.
  • Supply photographic ID on arrival.
  • Provide a deposit - the deposit amount required is confirmed following application.

Some info about the role, more is provided in the CAT Pack

  • The 1st CAT (Early Bird) shift starts at 14:00 Wednesday – please let us know in your application or contact us if you are available to work the Wednesday afternoon shift. To work the Wednesday afternoon shift you must attend the 13:00 briefing.
  • The CATs are on-shift 24 hours between 14:00 Wednesday and 16:00 Monday. We request that all volunteers work one night shift – although this isn't a requirement. The rest of the time you are free to enjoy the festival.
  • The final CAT shift finishes at 16:00 Monday — please let us know in your application or contact us if you are available to work the Monday morning>afternoon shift.

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. Although you can apply to swap any shift you are allocated via your shift 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 you with a Crew Pass.
  • Provide you with a 'CAT Pack' prior to your arrival on-site — this 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 you with a CAT uniform - the t-shirt you can even keep to prove you worked at the festival!
  • Provide CAT Offices, CAT Flags, and a means of communicating with your supervisors.
  • Conduct a thorough briefing explaining the role of the CATs.
  • Provide camping facilities in a secure crew area.
  • Give you access to the crew café, bar, toilets, and hot showers!

Join the CAT mailing list

First off — please join the CAT mailing list — this will inform you when the CAT application goes online each year, let you know when to expect your 'CAT Pack', and keep you up to date with last minute changes as the event draws near.

How to apply

You can apply online via PAAM, via post, or fax. We prefer online applications.

The PAAM application usually goes online between February > March.

We let everyone know via the mailing lists — so please make sure you´re on them!

To go straight to the PAAM application please visit:

https://dcss.paamapplication.co.uk/

Please check the FAQ, News, Calendar, and Application pages for more info.

Also please visit the Forum - a useful place to ask others questions about working at the events.

Following application

You need to send a deposit to secure your position/s.

Your deposit needs to be paid after you have applied.

We do not confirm any positions until we have received your application and your deposit has cleared.

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

You can pay your deposit via the following means –

Online via a major debit or credit card: Visa, Visa Delta, Visa Electron, MasterCard, Switch/Maestro, Solo.

By post: Cheque or Postal Order.

You can find further details about paying your deposit within your PAAM account.

Please also read the 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 also add your email address/s to the Mailing Lists

Please check your email 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 or volunteering at events - under no circumstances will we sell, give away or otherwise divulge your personal information to anyone or anything.

The CAT community

You can chat to past and present CATs & HATs via the forum.

Take a look at the CATs in action

CATs share photos of their experiences via the online galleries.

More Questions?

Please try the FAQ first.

For further information about the Leeds Festival please visit:

www.LeedsFestival.com

How to Contact Us

You can contact us via the online contact area - please select the CATs email address.

We look forward to hearing from you!