The final Festival Angels team of 2019 were at Mint Festival at East Leeds Airport in Church Fenton. Working with Simon Biddlestone, the curate of the local Anglican church, the team offered detached work 

2 years ago Leeds Festival Angels worked with Luke Greenwood to host Brian Head Welch (from metal band Korn) in the Festival Angels prayer cafe at Leeds (see the video) - here is what Brian has to say in the forward of Luke's book 'Global Youth Culture' (available on Amazon)...

Streams of Living Water! We Are The Church
During the hottest August Bank Holiday on record over 60 volunteers from across Chester and Liverpool Dioceses came together to serve the revellers at the Creamfields Festival. Held each year at Daresbury in the Deanery of Great Budworth the electronic music festival attracts over 70,000 people. This is the third year that there has been an official Christian presence on site. Over the course of the weekend volunteers gave out out in excess of 4000 litres of water and 2,800 Jammy Dodgers! ‘Record temperatures meant that we saw a lot of heat exhaustion, sunburn and dehydration this year’ said Jonny Masters, Diocesan Youth, Children and Families' Missioner and member of the planning team, ‘We worked very hard to get water to those who needed it and were moved by how grateful people were for our help.’


This year the organisers of Creamfields approached the planning team to ask them to double their presence on site and will be in discussion in the coming year to see how their presence might be further expanded in the future. Planning Team Leader Rev’d Jane Proudfoot reflected that, ‘our ecumenical team of volunteers have been brilliant! They’ve had incredible conversations, funny moments, moving experiences, eye-opening, heart rending, godly encounters and I know that the blessing has been mutual - they have been a blessing and they have received blessing from those they have helped’, she continued, ‘There have been some really difficult things that some of our team have dealt with, they have gone the extra mile to help and care. Their faith and trust in what God has been doing through them at Creamfields is amazing!’

​New volunteer Melanie said ‘I was nervous and excited going but surprised myself for feeling part of the team and comfortable talking to people. It was just such a joy and privilege to work with beautifully blessed and like-minded people and with the festival goers who where just so appreciative and surprised to get free biscuits, water and kindness.’
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More volunteers will be needed next year and full training is given. The only requirement is that you enjoy meeting people and are a good listener. The team are grateful for the donations from churches across the Diocese that enable this mission. If you would like to donate, get involved in volunteering or to find out more, please contact the planning team at wearethechurchatcreamfields@hotmail.com

Source

Once again Festival Angels volunteers were making a difference at music festivals and events across the UK. 

Festival Angels began life at Leeds Festival in 2011 and has grown over the years with 2019 seeing teams at 14 different music festivals including Kendal Calling, YNot, Eastern Electrics and Creamfields. 

The heart of the Festival Angels is to help festival goers have a safe and enjoyable time through the offer of detached teams, safe hubs, prayer cafes and, at Leeds, running Lost Property. 

Our teams went above and beyond time and again. This year has seen us patrolling through the rain and mud of Kendal Calling; supporting those who had turned up in Newquay for Boardmasters which was cancelled the day before the start due to the forecast of 65mph winds; and keeping thousands of people hydrated in the glorious sun and high temperatures of Leeds. 

As a Christian organisation our team were on hand to chat, listen and pray with people and many took the opportunity to share issues and concerns. We also had our famous 'Jesus Loves Festivals' branding with many taking the opportunity for a selfie with Jesus! We also supported a 'Jesus Calls Will U Follow' banner plane which flew over most of the large events over the summer across the UK. 

To see more of what Festival Angels get up to BBC Look North joined us at Leeds Festival - https://youtu.be/2--5d-e9P6c - or visit festivalangels.org.uk for pictures and reports. 


Some feedback from festival-goers:

"My daughter was telling me how fantastic you are , so I thankyou for all you do , keep up the good work "

"@FestivalAngels got me through #leedsfestival2019 absolute legends"

"Love u festival angels you are best cuppa at any time of day or night thanks for giving up your time and being there"

"What fantastic people - they helped my daughters friends! Thanks and keep up the good work! Xxx"

"Thank you @FestivalAngels ....lost my phone at leedsfestival on friday night. Returned to me the next day with a full charge too..you guys rock"

"shoutout to @FestivalAngels for supplying the unlimited cafe, drinks n biscuits 24/7. so so appreciative for it n I think it’s so under appreciated. Honestly couldn’t of coped without"


And from our amazing Festival Angel volunteers:

"We've had an absolute blast. You are an amazing group of people and we are so proud to be part of Leeds Festival Angels. It was brilliant to meet up with so many old friends and also to make so many new friends this year. Here's to 2020 and hope to see you all again then."

"Thanks for the opportunity to work with such a bunch of amazing people! My first, and hopefully not last time doing this. A wonderful and rewarding experience. Thank you all "

"Thanks everybody for a great Leeds Festival once again. Sincerely hope to come back for year 6."

"Totally loved doing festival angels this year!! Helping so many young festival revellers have fun  Thanks for having us "

The website The Festivals has featured a blog on the story behind the ‘Jesus plane’ that’s been flying over festivals – and some of their best pics - see the article here.