The URC at Greenbelt 2024
The United Reformed Church has had a presence at Greenbelt for several years. In 2024, we want to build on our achievements from 2022 and 2023, where the URC ran a popular café, offered crafts and other family activities, held an engaging programme on the theme of ‘Revolting Christians’ and oversaw the youth programme and provision for Greenbelt.
What is Greenbelt?
Greenbelt Festival is a place where artistry, activism and belief come together; a place full of a variety of people, usually from a Christian background and some not.
Greenbelt festivalgoers are extremely activist, committed to change, getting involved in issues, and spending time getting to the heart of the matter. This year, the URC will be working with Greenbelt’s theme: DREAM ON:
‘Because, no matter how bad things seem right now (and they are bad, no question), change is still possible. And, more often than not, change is driven by the dreams that people hold onto – in the face of everything – of a better world. Dreams, that when acted on, make a real difference in the real world.’
To read more about this theme, read the Creative Director, Paul Northup’s blog post here: Greenbelt 2024 – Dream On – Greenbelt
Check out the flyer for URC’s 2023 programme, to get an idea of what to expect in 2024. Alternatively, keep up-to-date with the URC at Greenbelt below, or for information about ticket prices and this year’s lineup, visit the Greenbelt Festival website.
Volunteer with the URC
Our large team of volunteers is crucial to everything we do. Would you consider joining us this year as a ‘Festival Friend’ (volunteer)?
Due to an increasing demand to join our team, we will give priority to applicants who have not volunteered with us before or have only volunteered once.
We will let you know whether you have a place on our team by Thursday 25 April 2024 (which still leaves time to purchase weekend passes at the discounted rate until the end of April, should you not be successful this time round).
Below is a short description of the requirements of the roles. If you think you would be a good fit for any of these opportunities, please fill in the online application form (below) by 20 April 2024 and our Volunteers Co-Ordinator will be in touch. All team members may be required to have a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check before serving on our teams.
Café Team
You work well under pressure and as part of a small team. Customer service and hospitality are important to you. You have a good memory for orders and details. You will be diligent about food hygiene protocols including receiving training. You might be able to use a coffee machine, water boiler, cash register or card machine, or be happy to receive training. You can cope with lots of standing during your shift. You have a flair for good service and have a welcoming smile.
Craft Team
You enjoy being part of a small team and encouraging people of every age to enjoy craft activities. You might enjoy reading a story to young children. You might have a creative flair or just enjoy having a go. You are great at putting people at ease, listening and chatting. You have a friendly manner. You might be happy to stand outside and hand out craft packages to festivalgoers for short periods. You don’t mind tidying up and looking after craft resources.
Hospitality Team (new for 2024)
You are happy to introduce yourself to new people and engage them in conversation. You have an eye for detail and enjoy helping to create a tidy, safe and welcoming space that is accessible, inviting and welcoming to everyone. You notice when people might need some extra support or encouragement. You are happy to wipe down tables, or occasionally carry trays or move chairs back into place. You are committed to providing a high-quality, caring customer experience. You might have skills in writing on a blackboard. You are happy to talk a bit about your involvement with the URC.
Programme Team
You are happy to address small or large groups of people in a very dynamic environment. You have good presentation skills. You might have an understanding of the some of the issues facing the Church and society today and want to engage with others about it. You might be able to do research and preparation before the event. You can connect with people from lots of different backgrounds who attend Greenbelt. You can think creatively and love seeing people grow in their understanding.
Application Form
To complete your application, please visit the volunteer registration page
Deadline for applications 20 April 2024.
More about Greenbelt
Greenbelt 2023 Video
Greenbelt celebrated 50 years in 2023, and the URC was there. We took a brilliant team, offering a truly remarkable welcome, along with ‘rubbish’ food that was warm, nutritious, and very well priced.
Photos from Greenbelt 2023
Greenbelt Festival, 2023, celebrated its 50th anniversary. Once again, it was an amazing event and the URC was there joining in the celebrations, delivering delicious, and welcoming all.
Volunteer FAQs
If you’ve volunteered to be part of our team at Greenbelt 2023, you can read our most frequently asked questions about volunteering here and find out who to contact if you have other queries.
What’s it like?
Adrian Bulley, a volunteer at last year’s event, shares his recent experience and compares it with his first experience at Greenbelt Festival in 2008.
Photos from Greenbelt 2022
We had a wonderful time at Greenbelt Festival in 2022, celebrating the URC’s 50th anniversary. Check out some photos from the event.
You sent us your craft!
For Greenbelt 2023, we asked URC folk across the country to send in Kintsugi-inspired hearts to decorate the URC’s café tent. Find all the instructions here.
Greenbelt in words…
This is what the URC does so well: create safe space and sanctuary for vulnerable and marginalised communities. Stepping into the URC Café felt like a home coming.
URC Café attendee
Lovely people, lovely food.
URC Café attendee
Our fave snacking venu[e] which showed the way – just got to love non-conformists!
URC Café attendee
It was great to see an explicit effort made to increase racial diversity by inviting a group of people from minority ethnic backgrounds to attend without the burdens of cost or camping. It was also good to see diversity in the Greenbelt programme and artistry side of things.
Volunteer
I loved the Revolting Christians theme: the posters were fabulous and brought about conversations.
URC Café attendee
I loved Greenbelt! I had the most incredible experience, both in terms of fun and spiritually. It was beautiful and I loved what we did with the waste food.
Volunteer
Great craft activities for kids and a lovely friendly team.
URC Café attendee
I felt really positive on the whole about my experience as a URC volunteer, but also enjoying the festival atmosphere and activities of Greenbelt. I appreciated the opportunity to both serve and welcome as well as be part of the festival in a more in-depth way.
Volunteer
The evening Taizé worship was a very calming way to connect with God. I have never experienced that style of worship before but enjoyed being outside in the dim light with a sea of people connected in worship.
Greenbelt attendee
Super duper place, really well done to the team!
URC Café attendee
The atmosphere was great. A delightful pleasure to be at Greenbelt. Both the people and the atmosphere get a 10/10. […] it was great to be part of an environmentally friendly festival, working to support the climate and minimise excess waste [that is] harmful to the environment. I am truly inspired!
Greenbelt attendee
A fab venue, thank you URC ❤
URC Café attendee
Probably the best thing I've done all this year. If not volunteering I'd gladly pay to return – but volunteering was rewarding in itself.
Volunteer
…and pictures
