What is Welfare at Events and Festivals?

Welfare at events means the services and spaces that look after people's wellbeing, from safe spaces and support for anyone distressed or vulnerable to water, rest and lost property. At festivals, welfare teams work alongside medical, security and stewarding teams, and often help people who need support but not medical treatment. Good welfare provision reduces pressure on medical teams and helps keep everyone safe.

How welfare works at an event

Welfare is planned and delivered in five steps:

  1. Assess needs: consider the audience, event length, camping and the risk assessment.
  2. Plan services: decide on welfare spaces, staffing and links with medical and security.
  3. Brief: train welfare staff and brief all teams on how to refer people.
  4. Deliver: run welfare spaces and teams throughout the event, including overnight at camping festivals.
  5. Review: record cases, without personal details, and review them in the event debrief.

Welfare is a core part of festival planning, which organisers manage alongside everything else with Crescat for festivals.

Welfare vs medical

Medical teams treat illness and injury. Welfare teams support people who are upset, lost, vulnerable or need somewhere safe, and pass them to medical care if needed. The two work closely together, often from neighbouring tents.

What welfare services can include

  • A welfare tent or safe space
  • Support for people who are distressed or vulnerable
  • Drug and alcohol harm reduction services
  • Lost children and vulnerable adult points
  • Free drinking water, sun cream and rest areas
  • Phone charging and lost property
  • Crew and staff welfare facilities
  • Quiet spaces for people who feel overwhelmed

Frequently asked questions

Who provides welfare at festivals?

Often specialist welfare charities and companies, working with the organiser's own staff. Larger festivals may have several welfare teams across the site, open day and night.

What is crew welfare?

Looking after the people working at the event, including rest areas, food, working hours, mental health support and safe accommodation. Long shifts and late nights make crew welfare especially important at festivals.

Is welfare required by law?

Organisers have a legal duty of care to the people at their event, including staff and crew. Guidance such as The Purple Guide sets out what welfare provision is expected for different events.

Related terms