Frequently Asked Questions

Welcome to the Great British Beer Festival staffing page!

We ask that you read all the information below before completing your application form, and again before contacting us as most of your questions should be answered below. The Frequently Asked Questions are organised so you should be able to find what you need quickly. Please note, I have a professional job in addition to my CAMRA role so need to use my volunteer time in the most efficient way possible in order to help you to the best of my ability. We are also in a new venue so there is a lot to learn and a lot of changes, I promise to endeavour to do my best for you and for the festival, please be patient with me. Therefore, please only contact me if the information below doesn’t address your issue. Thanks! Abigail Newton

If your question is not answered below, then please contact us using the form below (or email us directly at staffing@gbbf.org.uk for general queries or accommodation@gbbf.org.uk for accommodation queries), and we'll get back to you shortly.

If you have an urgent query you can also contact us by phone or text, text is preferred: 07731 946820 for all queries

Section A – Before you submit your form

How do I volunteer?

Simply fill in the online application form or request a paper/PDF copy from the reception staff at CAMRA HQ. Please note that there are minimum work requirements for open sessions, typically 6-hour blocks. Once you submit your online application form you should receive an automatic email confirmation. We shall let you know when your application has been accepted to work at the festival.

Do I have to be a CAMRA member?

You have to be a current member of CAMRA or an EBCU affiliated association. EBCU members will need to complete a paper/PDF form and post/email it to us.

Do you provide accommodation?

Yes, we can provide an accommodation allowance of up to £30+VAT per person per night subject to minimums of 8-hours work during set-up/take-down periods or 10-hours work during open sessions per night claimed. Alternatively, if working a minimum of 3 days, you can request free accommodation in university halls of residence subject to the same minimum hours per day described above. If you select to apply for accommodation at the Hilton, next to the NEC, we require you to stay from Sunday to Sunday and to pay £5.00 per night towards the cost.

Do you cover transport costs?

No, sorry.

Can I choose which area I want to work?

You can request your preferred work areas on the staffing form. We try to accommodate all requests but some days you may be asked to help out in a different area if that team are short staffed. Please be courteous to our allocation volunteers if you are asked to do this, we are trying to make sure the festival is adequately staffed so we can open to the public. Be prepared to give a new work area a try, you may find you really like it!

Why does the form have some setup and takedown days highlighted?

On Thursday/Friday of setup, and Tuesday of takedown, we only need selected staff who have a particular role or skill. We ask you not to volunteer for these days, unless the manager in your area of work has asked you to do so. First time workers should not volunteer for these days as we will not have suitable work for you to do.

Section B – Accommodation queries

What halls of residence are you using this year?

We are using two halls based in Aston near the centre of Birmingham.

When will I find out which halls you have put me in?

You will be informed of your accommodation by email prior to the festival.

How do I get to the halls?

Discussions are still taking place within the GBBFWorking Party with regard to travel from the festival to the halls.

How do I check in at the halls?

TBC

How can I book halls accommodation if I don’t want to give my card details online?

You can email your details to accommodation@gbbf.org.uk, or you can send a cheque in the post. We shall not be asking for a deposit until nearer to the date of the festival.

When can I make my accommodation claim?

Claims can be submitted once you have paid your bill and worked the necessary hours. You can submit your claim on site or after the festival. We can pay by cash, cheque or BACS.

Section C – Once you have submitted your form

How do I change my hours?

You can go back into your form and amend it yourself then re-submit it. You do not need to ask us to do this.

How do I cancel?

You can go back into your form and cancel it yourself. You do not need to ask us to do this.

I thought I had filled a form in but I am not on your system or the form hasn’t updated my changes?

Did you receive an email confirmation? Did you remember to click the submit button?

I can’t remember what hours I volunteered for?

Your hours will be shown on your email confirmation. If you can’t find that, just go back into your form and have a look!

How do I know I have been accepted?

You should receive an email confirmation stating we have received your staffing form. We shall email you again if your offer to volunteer is accepted.

When will I receive further information?

Staff information packs are sent out mid/late July. We can’t send them any earlier as there are always last-minute changes either from our end or from the venue. If you haven’t heard anything by the end of July then do contact us using the form further below. In the meantime you can keep up to date by joining the GBBF Staff Facebook group. This is a closed group so you won’t be admitted until you have submitted a staffing form. Also please note that if your Facebook name doesn’t match your staffing form name then we may not realise who you are, so maybe add a note saying who you are with your Join request.

Section D – Getting ready to arrive on site

What time should I arrive on site?

We recommend arriving quarter of an hour before your shift is due to start so you have time to sign in, get your staff badge, find where you are working and maybe grab a soft drink from the Volunteer’s area.

What should I bring with me?

Essentials are your CAMRA/EBCU membership card, sensible footwear (no open toed sandals please) clean clothes, reusable coffee cups/water bottles and a smile!.

I can’t remember what hours I volunteered for?

Just go back into your form and have a look!

Can I bring my car?

We are still in discussions regarding car parking however please note it may well come with a parking cost.

Can I cycle to the NEC?

TBC

Section E – During festival week

How do I get into the NEC?

We shall send you an email nearer the time with details of entry into the NEC and the registration process.

Where do I go once I am inside?

We shall send you an email nearer the time with details of entry into the NEC and the registration process.

What do I need to do each day?

You must sign in each day in the staffing office.

Enjoy yourself.

If your question is not answered above, then please contact us using the form below (or email us directly at staffing@gbbf.org.uk), and we'll get back to you shortly.

If you have an urgent query you can also contact us by phone: 07731 946820