12 hours ago
I still enjoy Glastonbury after going sober - here's how
A Glastonbury steward has spoken about his experience as a sober raver at the festival.
Rich Watkins, from Brighton, is volunteering with the Oxfam festival campaigning team at Glastonbury this week.
'I used to go to Glastonbury in my twenties, and then I became sober two years ago after a few health scares, and I wanted to go back in a way that I felt would be wholesome and supportive of that', the 35-year-old said.
Read more
Everything you need to know ahead of Brighton's Race for Life this weekend
Restaurant manager to walk 365 miles across country for charity
Summer picnic and music workshop held to mark Learning Disability Week in Brighton
"Oxfam was so supportive, and it was a completely different way to experience a festival.
'The expectation to show up, turn up and do a good job and interact with people, was great, but also being safe and supported and having that sense of community. Everyone is so caring and if you ever needed support, they would be there to help.
"The community with Oxfam is a really big thing. There are about 50 of us campaigners here and we all went out together yesterday after our shift for example, and went dancing together.
'We took some of the newbies to see the view for the first time of the Pyramid Stage and it was so nice to share that with them and see how excited they were. That's what it's all about.
"If you want to come, enjoy a festival and make a real difference, volunteering with Oxfam is a great thing to do.
'And for anyone who is thinking about doing a festival sober, I would advise doing a lot of preparation, find safe spaces, and do the work you need to do to know you can do it.
'But the great thing about doing something with Oxfam, if you want to do something sober, is that you are not alone.
'But that doesn't just apply to people looking to be sober at a festival - if you are anxious or by yourself or whatever it is, you are a part of a community and everyone is there to help you."
