Volunteer opportunities 2024 – join the carnival team!

After a pause of several years, we need your help to bring back the carnival in 2024 and make it the best ever. We have the following volunteer opportunities available, with flexible options throughout August as well as on the day itself on 1st September.

All volunteers will be supported throughout, will have the chance to socialise with other volunteers as well as enjoy the carnival day outside of manageable volunteer shifts, which can be agreed flexibly with you. Some expenses can be covered and we are currently looking at ways to reward volunteers to recognise their time and effort.

If you are interested in any of these opportunities, please contact Nor on volunteers@cowleyroadworks.org indicating which role you’re interested in and any time/dates constraints, as well as any access needs. We look forward to hearing from you!

CARNIVAL PROCESSION STEWARDS & SETUP SUPPORT
What it involves: Helping to setup the carnival, walking alongside the carnival procession and directing people to ensure a safe and fun event.
Location: At the carnival on Cowley Road
Dates: Sunday 1st September and one pre-carnival training event
Time commitment: A few hours on the day itself plus a short training meeting in August, date TBC. You’ll have plenty of time to enjoy the rest of the carnival after the procession finishes.

CARNIVAL DAY FUNDRAISERS
What it involves: Helping to keep carnival around by collecting donations on the day and welcoming people to the event.
Location: At the carnival on Cowley Road
Dates: Sunday 1st September and one pre-carnival training event
Time commitment: A few hours on the day itself plus a short training meeting in August, date TBC. You’ll have plenty of time to enjoy the rest of the carnival!

COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT
What it involves: Helping people to connect with the carnival by assisting with mailouts and flyer distribution. We are also looking for someone based locally who is able to pop into the carnival office 1-2 times per week in August to pick up mail and forward on voicemail messages to the team.
Location: Based out of carnival office on Cowley Road, with flyer distribution in your own local neighbourhood.
Dates: Flexible, to be agreed. One training meeting in August, date TBC.
Time commitment: Flexible, from 4 hours up to around 10 hours spread over August.

VOLUNTEER PHOTOGRAPHER/ VIDEOGRAPHER
What it involves: Capturing images and video of the carnival and pre-carnival workshops, and sharing these with the teamm for use in communications and reports.
Location: At the carnival itself, and pre-carnival workshop/s on Magdalen Road.
Dates: Sunday 1st September and ideally at least one event in August, to be agreed.
Time commitment: Around 5 hours, flexible.

CREATIVE FACILITATORS
What it involves: Bringing beautiful handmade masks and props to life for the carnival procession and empowering local people to get involved, by helping to run hands-on making sessions in the run up to carnival.
Location: Sessions will be held at Pegasus Theatre, Magdalen Road or a nearby venue TBC.
Dates: Take your pick from the following dates (all 11-3pm): Fri 9th Aug, Fri 16 Aug, Fri 23 Aug, Fri 30 Aug.
Time commitment: 6 hours, or more if helping with multiple events.

If you are interested in any of these roles or have any questions, please contact volunteers@cowleyroadworks.org as soon as possible.