Festival Pastors at Latitude
Since 2011, Town Pastors have been a familiar and welcome presence at the Latitude festival as Festival Pastors, taking only a brief pause during the Covid-19 lockdown in 2020. Each year our volunteers return to Henham Park to support festival-goers when they need it most.
About Latitude Festival
Latitude is one of the UK’s premier music and arts festivals, held annually in July at Henham Park in Suffolk. The festival attracts tens of thousands of visitors from across the country and beyond.
Here are some photos that show Latitude with Festival Pastors at work — and sometimes at play too!
What We Do
During the day, you’ll find our teams walking through the campsites, offering help and support to festival-goers. Whether someone needs directions to find their way around, help figuring out how to pitch that new tent they bought, or just a friendly face, we’re there. We’re also especially keen to ensure that families know how best to look out for each other at the festival.
Much later in the day, our patrols head into the woods and late-night arena areas. We work alongside festival security and a host of other volunteers to maintain a visible, reassuring presence for those enjoying the music and atmosphere. It’s during these hours that people sometimes need us most — whether they’ve lost their friends, are suffering the effects of a little over-indulgence, or simply need someone to talk to.
We usually carry Freddo chocolate bars and Love Hearts to distribute a little cheer to tired and weary festival-goers, and we also try to make sure that the hard-working and sometimes under-appreciated staff are looked after too!
Back at our base tent in the festival village we have, for the past few years, worked with our friends from Chaplaincy Lowestoft to provide a safe space for reflection, where you may also find a variety of creative and thoughful activities including face-painting and hand massages.
Our Impact
Each year tells its own story of lives touched and crises averted. Our team of Festival Pastor volunteers clock up hundreds of hours walking the festival grounds, helping thousands of attendees along the way. From handing out water and refreshments to guiding lost festival-goers back to their campsites, from late-night conversations to early-morning assistance, we’re part of making Latitude a safe and welcoming space for everyone.
The Festival Pastor Experience
“Being a Festival Pastor at Latitude is an incredible experience. You get to help people when they really need it, whether that’s finding a lost tent or just having a chat with someone who’s feeling overwhelmed. It’s tiring but incredibly rewarding.”
— Festival Pastor Volunteer
Partnership Working
Festival Pastors don’t work in isolation. We’re part of a wider network of care that includes festival organizers and management, security teams, medical services, police and emergency services, and other welfare organizations. This collaborative approach means that when someone needs help, they get exactly the right support at exactly the right time.
Volunteer with Us
Thinking about joining us at Latitude? We’d love to hear from you. We’re looking for caring, non-judgmental people who are good listeners and team players. We are Christians but this isn’t about preaching – although we do have conversations about faith, and certainly see answers to prayers – instead it’s about showing God’s love in the most practical ways that we can.
You’ll need to be available for the festival weekend in July and a training day beforehand. You’ll also need to be comfortable walking a good few miles each day over sometimes rough ground. If you’re new to this we won’t ask you to do the night shifts (yet!) and you’ll always be paired with someone more experienced.
In return, we provide training before the festival, tickets and space for camping for the weekend (if you’re a canvas kind of person), uniform and equipment, some meals and refreshments throughout, and the support of an experienced team. You’ll gain skills, make friends, and have stories to tell for years to come.
To express an interest in helping at Latitude in 2026 please use this form.
Keep up with our festival adventures on social media through Facebook and X/Twitter, where you’ll find updates and stories from the festival ground.
Latitude Festival takes place in July each year at Henham Park, Suffolk. Visit latitudefestival.com for festival information.