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Volunteers FAQs

» Full info: Read through all the Volunteering pages
» How old do I have to be to Volunteer
» Weeks: Can I volunteer for more than one week?
» Time off: Can I attend the seminars or celebrations if I volunteer?
» Spouses: Will my spouse and I serve on the same shift?
» Accommodation: Can I share accommodation with friends who are volunteering?
» Guest - already booked: I have already booked as a Guest, can I still volunteer?
» Guest accommodation: Will I be able to go into my booked chalet immediately? 
» Clothing: What should I bring to wear?
» Meals: What's the meal provision for volunteers?
» Dates: How soon can I volunteer?
» mySpringHarvest: What is 'mySpringHarvest'?
» CRB disclosure: Will I need a CRB check if I have one for another organisation?
» Expenses: Do I get a contribution towards my expenses?
» Bed linen: Do I need to bring bedding or towels?
» Pets:  Can I bring my pets?
» Security:  Is there somewhere secure I can leave my belongings?

Q. How old do I have to be to Volunteer
A. You'll need to be 18 by 9 April 2011.  

Q. Weeks: Can I volunteer for more than one week?
A. Yes. All teams (except for the Stewarding Team) are able to accept volunteers for up to two weeks. If you'd like to Steward for two weeks, you'll need to have a week’s break in the middle. If you want to serve as a Steward as well as serving on another Team, then Stewarding must be your second week as it's the most tiring.

Q. Time off: Can I attend the seminars or celebrations if I volunteer?
A. Yes, when you're off duty. Teams will have time off and some have a shift pattern. The Stewarding team is slightly different in that the team don't have regular scheduled time off, instead it's arranged as the day progresses, dependant on the responsibilities and situations that arise. However, there are always Stewards present in all the sessions and during the celebrations, so you will experience a variety of meetings during your week.

Q. Spouses: Will my spouse and I serve on the same shift?
A. That depends. If you both volunteer for the same children’s teams, or some of the Stewarding or Support Teams then we will endeavour to make sure that you are serving at the same time.

Q. Can I share accommodation with friends and family who are volunteering?
A. We try hard to accommodate you together, although we can't guarantee that you will be sharing with your friends. If you come in a mixed sex group we will accommodate you in single sex chalets. Please include the names of your friends and family who are on Team when you complete your mySpringHarvest application look for the "Sharing Preferences" section when you provide information about accommodation.

If you're married and both on team (any team), we'll always accommodate you together in a room, sharing a chalet with other volunteers. 

Accommodation is allocated prior to the Event in accordance with the information you have provided.  We will try our best to fulfill your accommodation requests but cannot guarantee this.  Any concerns please contact your Team Administrator.

Please note: We cannot provide specific details of your accommodation prior to the Event as this is subject to change. You will receive details of where your accommodation is located, when you arrive for Team Registration at the start of your Week.

Q. I have already booked as a Guest, can I still volunteer?
A. Yes. We can make arrangements for you to stay in your own accommodation and you will receive a small contribution towards your accommodation costs and food vouchers to use at the resort. However, we do prefer Stewards to stay in Team Accommodation because of their different schedules. During the mySpringHarvest application, you will have the opportunity to change to Team accommodation if you prefer and your Team Administrator will assist you with changing your booking - please contact them.

Q. As a Guest will I be able to go into my booked chalet immediately?
A. If you've booked Guest accommodation, you won't be able to check in immediately (as Team arrive before the previous week's Guests check out and your accommodation may be occupied). We will provide you with a temporary chalet for the first night until your Guest accommodation is available. Speak to your Team Leader on arrival to arrange a convenient time to check into your Guest accommodation. 

Only Team members can arrive early, so anyone staying in your Guest accommodation who is not on team will not be able to arrive with you  - please ensure you plan your travel arrangements with this in mind!

Q. Clothing: What should I bring to wear?
A. Some Team Leaders may ask you to wear a Team t-shirt, but you will be informed prior to the Event.  Please bring comfortable and warm clothing with plenty of layers and suitably comfortable shoes.  Laundry facilities are available.

Q. Meals: What's the meal provision for volunteers?
A. All our Volunteers are offered free Continental accommodation. Volunteers receive three meals a day. Breakfast and a hot Lunch are served in the Team Dining Room, and Team Tea is served in the Team Lounge. Breakfast and Lunch are buffet style with Vegetarian and low-fat options. If you have any food intolerances or allergies please add that to your mySpringHarvest or contact your Team Administrator). There are tea and coffee making facilities in each Team accommodation.

Q. Dates: How soon can I volunteer?
A. Doors open to new applicants in September the year before the Event.  You can submit your contact details and your choice of team any time from May of the preceeding year. We will create a mySpringHarvest profile for you and send you an email with your personalised log-in details so you can apply in September. Send us a contact form with your availability now!

Q. What is 'mySpringHarvest'?
A. It's our secure online application area for team members. We no longer use paper forms but a website which allows you to update your own details. 

mySpringHarvest profiles are available to applicants throughout the volunteer process.  You will be able to check the progress of your application and change any contact details if necessary. Any future years that you wish to serve on Team, you'll simply have to confirm that the details are still correct. Remember to keep your login details safe as you will need them throughout the year and for any future applications.

» Log in to mySpringHarvest here

Q. CRB disclosure: Will I need a CRB check if I have one for another organisation?
A. Yes. All the Volunteers need to be CRB checked by Spring Harvest. If you've been CRB checked by us, we will let you know if the check is still valid (you will see this on your mySpringHarvest application). If it isn't, our Safer Recruitment Department will contact you.

Q. Expenses: Do I get a contribution towards my expenses?
A. Yes, a small contribution is made towards your out-of-pocket expenses in the form of a Ministry Gift. The amount of the Ministry Gift will be shown in your mySpringHarvest application and a cheque will be included in your welcome pack when you register. See information on Tax, National Insurance and Benefits.

Q. Do I need to bring bedding or towels?
A. Butlins provide all bedding but you'll need to bring a towel and maybe another one for swimming.

Q. Pets:  Can I bring my pets?
A. No, sorry.

Q. Security:  Is there somewhere secure I can leave my belongings?
A. There are no safes available for your use so be cautious about what personal property you bring. Butlins remains open to day visitors, so anyone can enter the site.  Please keep any valuables out of sight. 

Full info: Read through all the Volunteering pages

If you have a question that isn't answered here, please feel free to contact us either at volunteers@springharvest.org or contact your Team Administrator.