Safety
EMERGENCIES
Our number 1 top tip (and most important tip!) for how you can help keep everyone safe at New Wine Festival is knowing how to respond in an emergency.
Rather than making a 999 call as you would anywhere else, we ask that if you encounter a situation that requires emergency help whilst at the festival to call the New Wine Emergency Number (this will be displayed all around the site, on the App and even printed on your wristband throughout the event).
Our Control Team operate the running and safety of the site 24/7, and act as our onsite emergency call receivers. The team can get help to you much quicker than a normal 999 call could – requesting stewards, first aid, onsite paramedic help, as well as being able to call in the usual Police/Fire/Ambulances when necessary.
The emergency number is to be used in circumstances that would ordinarily require a 999 call.
We operate a non-emergency number for other instances where help is required, or you can visit the Control desk in person for any site-related or emergency issues.
MEDICAL & FIRST AID
We love our onsite Medical Centre – this is your first stop for medical help and advice whilst at the event. Our Medical team is comprised of a mixture of paramedic & ambulance provision, as well as doctors, nurses, and first aiders serving us as volunteers for the week. This provides the event with a high level of care, and skilled professionals who can manage any transfer to offsite care units and hospitals.
You can drop into the Medical Centre during the day to speak to our team, or request emergency assistance by calling the emergency number at any time whilst onsite.
It’s really important that if you have a pre-existing condition that might require extra care whilst onsite, to fill in the Accessibility & Additional Needs Form (which is emailed to you when you book) and declare this. If your condition is on the following list, we’d also ask that you come to the Medical Centre on the day you arrive to discuss any extra considerations:
- Long-term or portable oxygen users
- Unstable or complex conditions
- Those with patient care plans
First Aiders are also available in adult, children and youth venues during programme times, and you can find them by looking for the white cross on green background icon.
Whilst onsite, if you have any concerns about a delegate, team member, or the safety of a child or vulnerable adult, you can help by reporting in the following ways:
- Scan the Referral QR code available on posters around the site
- Click the ‘Reporting’ link on the Festival App
- Visit new-wine.org/reporting
Our team take all referrals seriously, and we encourage the reporting of concerns of any level. By working together, we can ensure that the festival remains a safe environment for all.
If you want to find out more information about safeguarding outside of our festival, read our full safeguarding policies and procedures or get in touch with us regarding safeguarding at our events, please click the link below.
What other ways do we prioritise safeguarding onsite?
- Anyone serving in venues with children or vulnerable adults has demonstrated relevant experience in these contexts and has current DBS clearance and satisfactory references.
- All volunteers and leaders receive safeguarding training prior to their arrival onsite, regardless of any training they may have undertaken elsewhere.
- Where we are aware that a person may pose a risk to others, we will assess this risk and will refuse admission if it is considered too great. Some individuals already have safeguarding arrangements or agreements in place with their churches – if you have a safeguarding agreement or management plan in place with your local church, this must be disclosed to us before you book. You can do this by emailing safeguarding@new-wine.org or calling 07956 965991.
HOW CAN I HELP TO KEEP EVERYONE SAFE ONSITE?
Our site is car-free after Day 1 (Arrivals Day) and all cars need to be moved to the car parks before attending sessions. Cars will only be permitted back onsite during departure windows on Day 6 or after the event, driving under the site speed limit. Delegates aren’t permitted to drive around site at any other time for any reason.
Cooking accidents are one of the most common cause of injury at festivals! Please take care when cooking onsite. To help, we provide an Open Flame Checklist that you can use to ensure your campsite is as safe as possible when cooking. Open fires, fire pits, chimeneas and Chinese lanterns are not permitted.
We can all reduce the risk of the spread of illness onsite by washing hands thoroughly, storing food sensibly (see Accommodation for Ice Pack Exchange) and remaining offsite if unwell. If you do get unwell whilst onsite, please send a member of your group to our Medical Centre to seek advice.
Please be prepared! If the weather is looking good (which we always pray for), please make sure to pack suncream and drink plenty of water – refill points are available across site. However, if it’s looking rainy we would advise waterproof and spare clothing to remain warm and reduce the risk of hypothermia.
Only site hook-ups and authorised generators are permitted. Unauthorised hook-ups will be disconnected – we cannot supply or add hook-ups if they have not been authorised on your booking before the event.
Alcohol is only to be consumed within villages and specific venues only.
Illegal substances and weapons are not permitted at the event.
Please bring any necessary medication to the event. Over-the-counter medicines can be purchased at our onsite shop, and the Medical Centre can store any temperature-sensitive medication for you. We do not advise forgoing medication whilst onsite.
When not in groups, under 18s are the responsibility of their parents/responsible guardian and must abide by site rules.
Smoking and vaping are not permitted inside or near the entrances/exits to venues on site. We ask that all are safe and considerate of others when smoking or vaping.
Please ensure that you always wear your wristband, ensure children’s wristbands are securely in place, lock cars, caravans and secure tents, and immediately report anything suspicious or ‘out of the ordinary’ to a Steward or team member. We advise not leaving valuables in tents or unattended, as we can’t take responsibility for lost, stolen or damaged property. Please be accommodating of any bag or vehicle searches and we reserve the right to enforce gate closures at any point during the event for the protection of children and vulnerable adults. During a gate closure, no vehicles will be able to leave site without a vehicle contents check.