Safety & Wellbeing

• Be drink and drug aware – don’t overdo it. Make informed decisions and read our harm reduction advice on alcohol and other drugs.

• Look after your friends – make sure that everyone gets home safely at night and people are not left to walk back to camp on their own.
• Be a friendly face in the crowd – if you see someone you don’t know who looks like they are struggling or needs some help ask if they are ok. If you see someone alone and unconscious alert a steward or member of event staff.
• Pace yourself and know when to go to bed – have a good time, stay up all night if you are having fun, but there comes a point where you need to ask yourself: Is this fun anymore or do I need a bit of sleep?
• Avoid an upset stomach – you might be happy to dodge the shower for the weekend, but make sure you always wash your hands or use an antibacterial hand sanitiser before you eat and after you’ve used the toilet. If you’re making your own food back at camp, ensure meat is thoroughly cooked. Food poisoning + festival toilets = #FestivalFail.

• Don’t jump straight in. Observe and see how people are moving before you get involved.
• Look out for each other. If someone falls over, help them get up. You are there to have fun together.
• If someone looks distressed near you try to help make a path for them get out.
• Never try and intentionally hurt someone. If you get hit by accident or intentionally do not retaliate.
• Keep your arms close to your chest.
• Stay hydrated but don’t take drinks into the mosh pit.
• Always listen to security, event staff and artists if announcements are made or you are asked to move back for example.
• Treat everyone with respect and stay safe!

It’s a good idea to bring some over-the-counter medicines for headache, toothache, minor cuts, burns and sunburn. Hay fever sufferers should bring enough nasal spray, eye drops or antihistamine tablets to last through the festival.

If you need medicine and have not brought it with you, the Welfare team will be able to help but they can be very busy dealing with more serious incidents so you might have to wait to be seen. You can find them in the main arena and the campsite.

Remember to bring any regular medications you might need (for example inhalers or epi pens). If you take regular medication that must be kept in a fridge (for example insulin), our onsite Welfare team can store this for you. Tell the friends you are with where you keep your medication in case they need to access it for you.

If your require medication onsite, please ensure you follow these steps:

• Bring your medication in a clear, sealable container with your name and number (+ details of your personal assistant if applicable) visible.
• Bring ID with you to collect your medication as our team can only give your medication to you or the nominated person.
• You will need to bring your authorisation for some prescribed medication.
• Please note, any medication in glass bottles if glass cannot be brought on site.

Please present your medication on arrival to site to the Welfare Team if you are camping in one of our general admission campsites, or the Access Info Point in our dedicated Accessibility Campsite. For more information on accessibility at Boardmasters and how to apply for our onsite facilities, visit out Accessibility page.

Security are there to look after party goers, manage crowds and deal with any issues. They are available 24 hours a day should you need their assistance, and can be found in and around the main arena and campsites. Always listen to directions from the security team – your safety is their number one priority.

Our stewarding team are comprised of volunteers who have given their time to help run the site in exchange for a ticket. They do lots of different jobs including directing people and traffic, manning information points, taking tickets, giving out wristbands and much more. Sometimes you might wonder why they are asking you to take a certain route or holding you at a gate but there will be a good reason. Events couldn’t run without them so be respectful and always listen to directions from stewards.

If you would like to volunteer at Boardmasters Festival, you can register your interest here.

Wellbeing

If at any point during your time at Boardmasters you, a friend or a stranger appears unwell, head to one of the Welfare Tents where our team of professionals will assist you. We have one located in the main arena by the main entrance and one in Lakey’s campsite. The Welfare team offer a comfortable environment to anyone who feels unsafe, needs to take 5, or speak to someone. They are a team of experienced, non-judgemental people who can give confidential advice about alcohol and other drugs, sexual health, mental health and offer support if you need someone to talk to.

This year, the Welfare team will be joined by SARSAS, offering specialist services for sexual harassment or assault.

Our welfare tents have a calm space if you feel anxious and the teams can help if you find yourself stranded. They also care for lost and vulnerable people including children.

Our welfare team is not there to make judgements or get you in trouble. Their service is confidential so you can be honest with them about any problems you are experiencing and they will do their best to help you. Their primary role is to ensure the well-being and safety of everyone on site, no issue is too big or too small just simply visit their tent on site and they will be happy to help.

Sometimes you can find yourself in a situation that isn’t safe or that makes you feel uncomfortable. If you can’t access help from our Welfare tent in the Main Arena or campsite our bars operate Ask for Angela, where you can discreetly ask for help from a member of staff if this happens.

Mental Health

Looking after our mental health and wellbeing at festivals is so important as it helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices.

Everyone has mental health, it includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. Every year one in four of us will experience a mental health problem.

We want to create a happy, safe and exciting space but it can also sometimes be overwhelming. Getting enough sleep, eating regularly and pacing yourself are key if you want to stay on top form.

If you have an existing mental health condition:

• bring any medication you are on with you and remember to take it as prescribed;
• if it’s your first time, read about what to expect in the ‘what to expect’ section above;
• before you go, think about whether certain situations could be difficult for you, for example big crowds, and try to mentally prepare yourself for what it might be like and what you would do if you become overwhelmed;
• people often forget to eat at festivals. If you have an eating problem think about whether you would prefer to bring your own food or whether you will feel ok buying from the vendors on site;
• if you have a history of poor mental health, you may be more likely to experience negative effects with alcohol and other drugs. Find out more here;
• if you are on medication for a mental health condition be mindful of how this could interact with alcohol and other drugs;
• try to be open with your friends and let them know if you are struggling or need help.

Please be kind to everyone and respect the surroundings you’re in.

1. Zero Tolerance to Sexual Assault

2. Hands Off Unless Consent

Consent means agreeing to do something. When it comes to sex, this means someone agreeing to take part in a sexual activity. Any form of sexual contact without consent is illegal whatever the age of the people involved. If you do not give consent and a person still engages in a sexual act, this is sexual assault or rape. Legally speaking, people who are drunk or under the influence of drugs can’t consent to any kind of sexual activity. Remember you shouldn’t ever feel pressured into any kind of sexual activity. It’s ok to say no or change your mind.

3. Be an Active Bystander

If you witness any kind of sexual assault don’t just ignore it. An active bystander is someone who responds effectively to harmful behaviour and provides support. Be a friendly face in the crowd and help look after each other.

The 5 Ds of how to be an active bystander:

1. DIRECT – directly intervene in the situation
2. DISTRACT – take an indirect approach to deescalate the situation and interrupt what is happening
3. DELEGATE – get help from someone else to intervene
4. DOCUMENT the situation as it is happening
5. DELAY – after the incident has happened check in with the person who was harmed.