Community is about people. By assisting with the Oyster Festival in any way you are giving something back your local community, gaining rewarding experiences and skills along the way.

Previous volunteers have found this out for themselves:

“Just wanted to e-mail and thank you for giving me such a wonderful experience as a volunteer at this year’s Oyster Festival. There were moments of pain and moments of pleasure - going way outside my normal comfort zone.”

“Meeting lots of new people and just being out there away from my usual day behind a desk and a computer…”

“As for The Whitstable Wishes, well - what can I say? They were absolutely breathtaking - what a fantastic idea! I have looked at the pictures and seen the video on You Tube - a privilege to take part in it and a very moving experience, which I shall treasure always.”

An added benefit for those giving practical assistance is the formal steward training provided, which can lead onto other opportunities in the district. The Whitstable Oyster Festival Association is keen to ensure that volunteers have a positive experience that they can take forward into further involvement within the local community.

This ethos was recognised in 2008 by WOFA’s inclusion in the Kent County Council’s Volunteering Excellence awards.

Not everyone will feel the need for this level of commitment, but there any many other ways that you can get involved before and during the Festival. The type of opportunities that will exist for anyone, aged 18 or over, include:

· Distribution of programmes to shops, businesses and community venues
· Manning information points
· Assisting individual event organisers
· Chaperoning dignitaries
· Preparing and clearing event venues
· Stewarding events or crowds (after free local authority approved training)
· Assisting with merchandise
· Meet and greet
· General guides
· Chaperoning Media – Press, radio and television
· And anything else!

Some of these may only require an hour or two, whilst others longer. The overall objective is that everyone – residents, visitors, event participants and you, have an enjoyable and safe time as well as showing just what makes Whitstable and its people so special.

To get involved in any way either use the Contact form or send us a text requesting contact to 07771 630056.