SAFEGUARDING AT OUR FESTIVAL
We’re so excited for you to join us this summer, and want you to have the time of your life.
We want you to know that your well-being is our number one priority. It’s incredibly important that everyone feels safe and joins together as a community.
There are several initiatives that offer support and guidance in both the campsites and the arena, and we’re proud to be partnering with some amazing organisations on some forward thinking campaigns.
We want our festival to be a place of love, happiness and togetherness. Read below for more info on keeping safe, and how you can help us ensure #RandL24 is the best experience for others…
AIR HUBS
Back for 2024, AIR Hubs will be located across our campsites at Reading Festival. They will provide a facility over and above the existing security and stewarding teams situated in multiple locations in and amongst the camping areas. AIR is an acronym for ASSISTANCE, INFORMATION & RESPONSE and we will be working with local community groups and charities to run these hubs for us, with the support of our existing safeguarding and welfare partners at the festival. The groups involved with the Reading AIR Hubs to date are WAVES, Local Schools, Change Grow Live, Trusthouse, Lady Garden, Mind in Berkshire, Sport In Mind, Mind in Haringey, Soulscape, Gamcare and Oxfam. There will be 18 of these in total, meaning you will never be too far away from a friendly face or listening ear when in the campsites.
Air Hubs will be open 24 hours in all campsites, from Wednesday through to Monday morning.
#LOOKOUTFOREACHOTHER
Our campaign to promote safety around drugs and alcohol, consent and keeping an eye out for one another.
We want to create an environment where everyone feels safe.
CHANGE GROW LIVE
If you’re struggling with drugs or alcohol we’re here to help. We can support you through your journey to recovery. We also offer guidance on reducing the harmful effects of drugs and alcohol and living a healthier safer life.
Our service is free and confidential. Open to anyone experiencing difficulties with drugs or alcohol.
MIND BERKSHIRE
Mind in Berkshire is an exciting collaboration that has been brought together to create a unified voice and understanding to support local people and the wider community with their mental health. We won’t give up until everyone experiencing a mental health problem gets support and respect.
SCHOOLS
We have four members of staff from King’s Academy Prospect, we are an 11-19 secondary school in west Reading that provides a high standard of education and a wide range of opportunities to the young people of Tilehurst, part of King’s Group Academies. We can be found on Instagram, Twitter and Threads @kaprospect.
TRUSTHOUSE
Trust House, operating across the Thames Valley area, is a free service that supports adults and children who have been affected by sexual harm .We offer counselling & psychotherapy, including play & art therapy. Also available is support from our Independent Sexual Violence Advisors, specialising in supporting both adults and children through the criminal justice system and helping with practical issues such as housing and benefits. Come and meet with us in Yellow AIR HUB 2
BERKSHIRE WOMENS AID
Berkshire Women’s Aid are a specialist provider of domestic abuse prevention and intervention services. Our mission is to provide support and advocacy services to everyone who comes to us experience domestic abuse. Our staff are trained to offer a variety of support, this may include refuge accommodation, outreach support, group work and support for children and young people.
Domestic abuse is defined as any single incident, course of conduct or pattern of abusive behaviour between individuals aged 16 or over who are personally connected to each other as a result of being, or having been, intimate partners or family members, regardless of gender or sexuality.
We aim to listen, support and empower people to act for themselves and we believe everyone should be able to live free from fear and domestic abuse in their lives.
MIND IN HARINGEY
Mind in Haringey has been serving the community for the last 35 years, we are here to provide information, advice and support to people affected by mental health problems, primarily in Haringey. We work to prevent mental health problems, promote mental well-being and ensure those with mental health problems are respected and included in our local community. Our mission is to support anyone in Haringey with mental health issues by listening to people, defending their rights and helping them to lead fulfilling lives. We believe mental health is everyone’s business.
OXFAM
Oxfam is a global community of people who believe in a kinder, and radically better world, where everyone has the power to thrive not just survive. Our supporters raise vital funds with their generous donations, through our network of high street shops, and by volunteering at festivals and running events.
We believe we can overcome poverty by fighting the injustices and inequalities that fuel it. Our vision is of a kinder, fairer world – a world less divided by borders, money, race, or gender. Come meet us at Orange Campsite AIR Hub 11 and Brown Campsite AIR Hub 16
SOULSCAPE
SoulScape is run by our trained volunteers and staff, who are on hand to chat with anyone who wants to talk. It’s a space to share what’s on your mind, process what you’re feeling, or just to take some time out from the pressure and relax. https://soulscape.org.uk/ come and Meet Nick, Michelle, Andrea and the Team at the White AIR Hub 19 and Brown AIR Hub 17.
TLC WELFARE
If you are experiencing anxiety, struggling with any mental health concerns, or having a bad experience with drugs and alcohol then come and see our Welfare team who offer confidential support and a place to stay for however long you need. They are non-judgemental and can link in with other agencies on site and in the community to ensure you get the right help. The main aim is for you to be able to return to the festival to enjoy it and feel safe in doing so.
FESTIVAL MEDICAL SERVICES
Providing medical care and additional safeguarding team support.
THE WELFARE CREW
Staff Campsite Welfare, located in Purple and Blue campsites, with their trained staff and volunteers.
SOUTH CENTRAL AMBULANCE SERVICE
Ready to quickly respond to any emergency if someone may need a little more help than is available on-site with us.
#BESAFEBESOUND
Security checks are in place to keep you safe
If you spot something that doesn’t feel right, trust your gut and report it to security staff straight away.
Follow advice from @TerrorismPolice and #BeSafeBeSound
SPORT IN MIND
Sport in Mind is an award winning mental health charity (unaffiliated to Mind and not part of the local Mind network) that was formed in Reading, Berkshire in 2010 with a simple mission:
“To improve the lives of people experiencing mental health problems through sport and physical activity”
We are the UK’s leading mental health sports charity and deliver physical activity (sport, walking, dance and movement, gardening and exercise sessions) projects in partnership with the amazing NHS in order to aid recovery, promote mental wellbeing, improve physical health, combat social isolation and empower people to move their lives forward in a positive direction.
LADY GARDEN
The Lady Garden Foundation is a national women’s health charity, raising awareness and funds for gynaecological health. We started in 2014 and initially funded groundbreaking research into the treatment of these cancers at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust. Over the last ten years, The Lady Garden Foundation has grown from the initial campaign to yearly events, education programmes and funding cutting-edge studies.
GAMCARE
GamCare is an independent UK charity offering free and confidential help for anyone affected by problem gambling.
TONIC MUSIC
Tonic Music was founded in 2012 upon the belief that participation in music is good for mental health. Originally based in Portsmouth, we have developed into a registered charity operating across the UK, through the provision of in-person and online services.
From our initial work raising awareness, we now champion action. This is achieved by providing mental health support to ensure people continue to professionally and recreationally engage in music.
The Tonic Music team includes qualified mental health practitioners, each with significant experience participating in music as an occupation or hobby.
WAVES
Welfare And Venue Event Services Ltd is a small private company staffed by volunteers, working at various music events. We provide various services at events and have been working at Reading Festival in various roles since 1995. We have been able to support various charities over the years including The Midlands Air Ambulance, Prostate Uk, local youth football teams and individuals in various causes. Our volunteers are from all walks of life attending Reading to have a great time whilst also working to ensure everyone else gets the best out of the event possible. We look forward to seeing you at Rockstar Energy Presents Reading 2024
THAMES VALLEY POLICE
We will be working alongside police officers throughout the festival to ensure everyone attending can have a good time and stay safe. Officers are specially trained and are ready to respond to any incidents quickly. Please feel free to say hello and stop them for a chat if you see them out and about.
NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS
Narcotics Anonymous will be holding meetings at various times from Thursday to Sunday at their confidential tent in Purple Camp. Head to our Personal Safety page for more info.
INFO TENT
A friendly place to go if you are in need of any information during your time at the festival! The experienced info team can help with general queries, sign posting, what time your fave artist is due on stage to everything else in between.
You can also reach out to the official festival team via social media before, during, and after the festival weekend with any queries you have.
Have fun & be safe. See you in Richfield Avenue on Bank Holiday weekend!
