Before you arrive
- Please complete the training available on this site.
- All those in a role requiring a DBS must have a valid certificate in place. If you do not you will be unable to serve on that team and may be given another role.
Arrivals & Departures
- Bags can be dropped and stored in the Rawnsley Hall (on map) and you will receive you badge
- Volunteer Briefing will take place in Packing Hall 1
- Please where your ID badge at all times
- After the Volunteer Briefing you will spend time within your teams for specific team briefings
- You can check out of your accommodation on the following Saturday
Accommodation (full time volunteers)
In order to house all team (around 250+ per week) we use various locations around Keswick. These include:
- Keswick Convention Centre at Skiddaw Street
- Keswick Youth Hostel
- Castlerigg Manor
- Keswick School
- Plus some private properties.
Each volunteer will share a room with one or two other people of the same gender. (We do endeavour to place married couples together but can’t promise this.)
You will receive your allocated room information through the Volunteer Portal which you can find here. This will be confirmed at the end of June.
If you have any concerns please contact volunteer@keswickministries.org
Meals (Full time Volunteers)
Full time volunteers are provided with 3 meals a day
Meals are served at the Rawnsley Hall, the Keswick Youth Hostel or Castlerigg Manor.
You will be allocated a dining venue and a wristband for the specific venue. It is vital that you take your meals at your allocation location, you cannot swap as each venue will cater for specific numbers and dietary requirements.
For those eating at the Youth Hostel, you will be sent a menu in June to be completed and sent back within a week.
Part-time volunteers and those claiming accommodation allowance do not have meals provided.
At Convention
Free Time: While we hope you find your work fulfilling, it will be demanding and when you are off-duty you will need to rest, especially if it is hot. However, that is not to say you should not attend any activities you may be interested in! Please do tell a friend of your plans for the day – in the past we have had volunteers go ‘missing’ as they have gone walking alone and it has taken them much longer than they had planned! Telling fellow team members of your plans is a wise precaution as we would otherwise have to call out the emergency services.
Identification: At the start of the week you’ll be given an ID badge. To help us be easily identified please ensure your badge is always clearly visible. Please ensure you do not lose this badge and never give it to another person.
Mobile Phones and Internet: Mobile reception is not great in Keswick. If anyone needs to get in touch urgently they should use the Reception number of 017687 80075. Make a note of this number in case you need to contact the office when undertaking off-site duties or someone else needs to contact you. Mobile phones must be switched to silent when on duty unless instructed otherwise. There is Wi-Fi access on our sites which can be used outside meeting times.
Photography & Video in Kids and Youth Venues: For operational and copyright reasons no photography or video, including use of mobile phone cameras, is permitted in the children’s and youth venues; there are no exceptions. You may see official Keswick Convention photographers who are clearly identifiable: they are the only people permitted to take photographs.
Photography in the Main Tent: There will be Keswick Convention Photographers taking photos during the sessions. They will have a lanyard with their ID visible. Feel free to ask them to show you the pass if you are not sure. We recognise that attendees will use phones to take photos or videos during the session. If you are concerned about any person, report it to your Team Leader.
Press Enquiries & Journalists: Please refer any press enquiries to you Team Leader who will contact Sarah Bennington our Head of Communications and Development. Do not give any quotes, comments or opinions on any matter as there is a risk your words may be taken out of context.
Repairs and Maintenance: Whilst Team members have a responsibility to report issues, you are not responsible for resolving technical and maintenance matters! These should be reported to your Team Leader. Do not attempt to repair anything electrical, at height or put yourself in any kind of danger.
Smoking: All our sites, buildings and marquees are no smoking areas.
Concerns: Please report anything suspicious to your Team Leader.
And at the end of Week 3
Departures after Week 3: After the Convention finishes, our sites need to be cleared and tidied. It would be greatly appreciated if you are able stay on during Saturday to help with this. We aim to complete the work by 2pm – but any time you can spare is helpful. Please indicate your availability on the Response Form