water skiing climbing archery fishing enamelling painting encoustic art dog agility African drumming circus skills signing judo dancing DJing karaoke zip-wire speed boat wheelchair basketball live bands talent show fancy dress discos Maldon Brightlingsea ten pin bowling swimming
* activities supplied dependant on date.
Supporters
How you can support us
Donate via the Charities Trust website. If you can, Gift Aid your donation so we can claim an extra 25% from the taxman at no cost to you!
Register your support at Easy Fundraising and raise money when you shop online at thousands of well-known retailers - Ebay, Amazon, Argos and many more . Whenever you buy something, the retailer makes a donation to the Trust. Register here
Use Easy Search as your search engine and they'll donate half a penny for every search you make. Might not seem much, but every half penny counts. Register here and maybe make it your home page or use it to get to your Facebook or Email login page.
Each Festival is supported by individuals, clubs, societies and companies who give their time, services or money to make sure we can provide some great opportunities year volunteers.
Our thanks to:
- The people of Mersea - who support us every year!
- Our hard working committee and volunteers
- Rotary Club of Mersea Island
- Colchester United Football Club
- Coast Digital
- The Brennan Group
- Waldegraves Leisure Park
- Brightlingsea Harbour Master
- Adra Parc Carriages
- SkiAbility Watersports
- Essex Schools Library Service
- Rob Brixton at The Kite Den
- Essex Mounted Police
- Disability Martial Arts Association
- Essex Pink Limo
Volunteers
For each Festival we need a team of volunteer staff, aged 16+, to help us deliver the porgramme and make sure the campers have a great time. Recruitment for the Festival starts each Spring, but please let us know you are interested so that we can contact you as soon as we start recruiting.
What do the volunteers do?
The volunteers main role is to make sure that all our campers have a great time. For many campers this is their only stay away from home and an opportunity to try activities that they are not able to do elsewhere. Before the campers arrive you’ll be helping set up the different areas. During the camp you’ll be working with other volunteers to support the running of the Festival, primarily in one area of the camp, although you may be called on to help elsewhere if needed. For example you might be in the dining hall, art tent or entertainment team, but when not working in these areas you’ll be helping in your village or possibly elsewhere on the camp. And finally at the end of camp you’ll be helping to get things cleared up.
What is expected of me?
Volunteering is hard work but there's also a great social side. You need to have energy and enthusiasm; to be reliable, use your initiative and be happy to muck in whenever needed and to have the self-discipline to ensure you don’t run out of steam before the end of camp! We’re not necessarily looking for prior experience but if you’ve worked with young people or those with special needs before, it will be useful. We’d like to know about any experience, skills or interests that you have that might be relevant to the Festival and enhance the experience those attending will have. Please put details of these on the application form.
What do I get from it all?
Many of our volunteers come back year after year because the Festival experience is so rewarding. You’ll have the chance to make new friends, to make a difference to other people’s lives and the satisfaction that you’ve helped others to build their self confidence and esteem. You’ll probably learn something new about yourself at the same time. And if you’re doing your Gold D of E Award, volunteering at the Festival qualifies for the residential section.
How do I become a volunteer?
You need to fill out an application form. If we think we may be able to offer you a volunteer place we will ask you to come in and see us. The Mersea Island Festival and Essex Outdoors Mersea are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expect all volunteers to share this commitment. Confirmation of a volunteer place will only be given after satisfactory checks have been completed. These can take some time so please get in touch with us as soon as possible.
If you’ve got any questions about volunteering or would like an application form, please contact us.