18–23 May 2026 on Jesus Green, Cambridge.
Cambridge Samaritans is proud to be the official charity at the Cambridge Beer Festival, a major local event attracting over 30,000 visitors every year. It is a big opportunity to raise vital funds for our branch while also having a rewarding volunteering experience at a vibrant community event. We will be raising funds through donated beer glasses and bucket collections - and we need a fantastic team of volunteers to help make it happen. Full guidance will be provided, plus free entry to the festival, coffee & tea in a breakroom, and beer tokens.
Our goal is to collect 5,000 festival glasses over the six days of the festival.
Every glass donated supports Samaritans’ lifesaving work.
With each glass deposit worth £4.00, every glass collected supports Samaritans’ lifesaving work. 1 glass will help Cambridge Samaritans answer 2 calls for help. Last year our branch answered over 28,000 of these calls.
Volunteers will help with:
• Collecting reusable glasses for the deposit donation or packing glasses into boxes
• Supporting bucket collections
• Assisting at our charity stand
• Helping create a visible, positive presence across the festival
We need about 50+ volunteers every day to cover all the shifts
Full guidance will be provided, plus free entry to the festival, coffee & tea in a breakroom, and beer tokens. You don’t need previous experience - just enthusiasm and reliability. Pairs and groups are encouraged. Accompanied children and dogs are also welcome. And after, you are free to enjoy the festival.
Why it matters
Every 10 seconds, Samaritans responds to a call for help. Cambridge Samaritans answered 28,000 of those calls last year. We are completely staffed by volunteers and funds raised will support our vital work reducing suicide and offering emotional support across our community and on the national helpline.
Our charity festival volunteers
- Aged 18+
- Able to commit to one or more short shifts (typically 3 to 3.5 hours). The shifts at closing time are most crucial.
The festival opening hours 18-23 May 2026:
Monday 4:00pm – 10:00pm
Tuesday 12:00 pm – 10:00pm
Wed - Friday 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm and 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Saturday 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Whether you can give one shift or several, your contribution will make a real difference.
If you would like more information, please contact us on: [email protected]
Donate to Cambridge Samaritans
If you would like to donate to the branch you can do so here:
https://samaritanscommunity.enthuse.com/cambridgesamaritans/profile