Safety 'What to do if'
Your wellbeing is our number one priority. Use this page to familiarise yourself with the resources available to you onsite if you or your friend…
If a serious or life-threatening crime is being committed, please contact a member of staff in a bright high-vis or police officer immediately. If in the unlikely event you cannot find someone, please call 999, and/or shout for help to get attention.
There are over a thousand security, stewards and campsite staff on duty, all of which wear our festival high-vis. Locate a member of staff for any emergencies, who will be able to assist or locate the correct assistance.
In the instance of a mental health emergency, when you or someone else could harm yourself or others, please find a member of staff wearing a high-vis immediately. They can radio for the right assistance. Alternatively, visit a medical tent if you are able.
Festivals can be overwhelming and can take a toll on your mental health. If you need support, a friendly chat, or a comfortable stress-free place to chill out, you can visit:
One of Our AirHubs or Get Ready With Me Tents (24hrs) – across campsites and arena
- Samaritans (24hrs) – Green Campsite
The volunteer team are expertly trained at listening and providing comfort to those in need.
- Reading Street Pastors (24hrs) – Brown Campsite and Yellow Campsite
The local team provide a friendly face and listening ear for festivalgoers operating within our Safeguarding teams in the campsites.
- Salvation Army (24hrs) – Scott Street in Green Campsite
The Salvation Army have volunteered at Rockstar Energy presents Reading Festival for decades, providing emotional and practical support for festival goers at their popular tea tent.
You can also visit a Wellbeing tent for confidential chats and chillout time:
- Arena
(11am to midnight) – To the left of Main Stage
- Yellow Campsite
(24hrs) Baker Lane in Yellow Campsite, by the Arena Gate
- Purple Campsite (24hrs)
You can also visit the calming sensory tent in the arena during arena opening times.
If something is on your mind or you are struggling with the festival environment, you can visit:
- One of Our Airhubs (24hrs) – across all campsites and arena
These are staffed by volunteers from local community groups and charities to provide assistant, information and support. Please do get to know your nearest AIRHUB or Get Ready With Me Tents where you are camping and others around site which will be teams from WAVES, Reading Schools, CGL, Berkshire Womens Aid, Soul Scape, Safer Space, Sport in Mind, Oxfam and Soulscape.
- Samaritans (24hrs) – Green Campsite
The volunteer team are expertly trained at listening and providing comfort to those in need.
- Reading Street Pastors (24hrs) – Brown and Yellow Campsite
The local team provide a friendly face and listening ear for festivalgoers operating within our Safeguarding teams in the campsites.
- Salvation Army (24hrs) – Scott Street in Green Campsite
The Salvation Army have volunteered at Reading Festival for decades, providing emotional and practical support for festival goers at their popular tea tent.
You can also seek support from our security teams who you will see around the festival and the Wellbeing tents at the:
- Arena
(11am to midnight) – To the left of Main Stage
- Yellow Campsite
(24hrs) Baker Lane in Yellow Campsite, by the Arena Gate
- Purple Campsite (24hrs)
If someone is making you feel uncomfortable, you can go to any bar or security personnel and Ask for Angela. They will provide discreet help to get out of a situation.
You can also seek support from our security teams who you will see around the festival and at:
- One of Our Airhubs (24hrs) – 17 across all campsites and arena
In 2023, we introduced AIR Hubs across our campsites at Rockstar Energy presents Reading Festival. These are staffed by volunteers from local community groups and charities to provide assistant, information and support. Please do get to know your nearest AIRHUB where you are camping and others around site which will be teams from WAVES, Reading Schools, CGL, Berkshire Womens Aid, Soul Scape, Safer Space, Sport in Mind, Oxfam and Soulscape.
- Samaritans (24hrs) – Green Campsite
The volunteer team are expertly trained at listening and providing comfort to those in need.
- Reading Street Pastors (24hrs) – Brown and Yellow Campsite
The local team provide a friendly face and listening ear for festivalgoers operating within our Safeguarding teams in the campsites.
- Salvation Army (24hrs) – Scott Street in Green Campsite
The Salvation Army have volunteered at Rockstar Energy presents Reading Festival for decades, providing emotional and practical support for festival goers at their popular tea tent.
You can also visit a Welfare tent for confidential chats and chillout time:
- Arena
(11am to midnight) – To the left of Main Stage
- Yellow Campsite
(24hrs) Baker Lane in Yellow Campsite, by the Arena Gate
- White Campsite
(24hrs) Between the Campsite Manager Office and Food Stalls
- Purple Campsite – (24hrs)
If you think you may have been the victim of sexual assault, approach any member of staff wearing a hi viz tabard for assistance. Alternatively, you can visit a Wellbeing tent where they will be able to provide the care and support you need:
- Arena
(11am to midnight) – To the left of Main Stage
- Yellow Campsite
(24hrs) Baker Lane in Yellow Campsite, by the Arena Gate
- Purple Campsite (24hrs)
You can also visit Safer Spaces on Baker Lane 24 hrs for a welcoming safe space where people can come and hang out, use facilities and escape to some calmness. The tents also provide a safe space for people to report incidents and get the professional support they need. They are gender informed, but gender inclusive; turning no one away, but being able to provide single gender spaces and support if required.
You can also visit Safe Gigs for Women in the arena until 22:00hrs Thursday > Sunday. They are an intersectional organisation that works to fight sexual violence at live music events, can provide advice and information about bystander intervention. If you have experienced a crime on site and need support on next steps, Reading Festival can help you with the next steps. Please speak to any of our support teams including Safer Spaces, Wellbeing, medical, an AIRHUB or your nearest Campsite Manager who are positioned in all campsites 24 hour.
We still want our festival-goers to know that you can come to us for help if you or your friends need it, without fear of getting in trouble at any time.
If you or someone you are with has a bad reaction and needs medical help, talk to the nearest member of staff immediately. Let the medics know what has been taken. You could save your friend’s life. We guarantee you will not get in trouble. People who are overdosing can go downhill very quickly so don’t delay in seeking help.
If you take drugs and become ill, depressed or concerned, make sure you ask the nearest member of staff to direct you to our Medical Tent or Wellbeing Tent.
Always be honest with medics and wellbeing teams about what you have consumed so that they know how best to help you.
- Medical:
Main Medical Centre (24 hours), Baker Lane in Yellow Campsite, by the Arena Gate
Arena Medical Centre (11am – midnight), to the left of Main Stage
Wellbeing:
- Arena
(11am to midnight) – To the left of Main Stage
- Yellow Campsite
(24hrs) Baker Lane in Yellow Campsite, by the Arena Gate
- Purple Campsite (24hrs)
UK Narcotics Anonymous are situated in Purple Campsite, at the entrance to Green Campsite. Their opening hours are:
- Thursday: 2pm-9pm.
- Friday-Sunday: 11am-9pm.
Narcotics Anonymous is a community of people who support each other to achieve and maintain a drug free life. At Reading, you can drop into their tent for a chat and attend scheduled meetings.
In an emergency: Alert a steward or a security person wearing a high-vis who will know how to contact law enforcement and security services.
If you need to contact Thames Valley Police to report a non-emergency crime or to provide information on a crime while at the festival, please go to your nearest AIRHUB, Campsite Manager or Wellbeing tent at:
- Arena
(11am to midnight) – To the left of Main Stage
- Yellow Campsite
(24hrs) Baker Lane in Yellow Campsite, by the Arena Gate
- Purple Campsite (24hrs)
If you are worried about pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases, our Medical centres in Yellow Campsite, the Arena and White Campsite can give you help and advice and emergency contraception if needed:
Main Medical Centre (24 hours), Baker Lane in Yellow Campsite, by the Arena Gate
Arena Medical Centre (11am – midnight), to the left of Main Stage
WELLBEING:
- Arena
(11am to midnight) – To the left of Main Stage
- Yellow Campsite
(24hrs) Baker Lane in Yellow Campsite, by the Arena Gate
- Purple Campsite – (24hrs)
If you think you or someone you know has been spiked:
If it feels like a medical emergency: Alert a steward or a security person wearing a high-vis who will know the way to the nearest medical facility and will be able to contact Medical by radio.
If you are able, get to your nearest Wellbeing or Medical facility. They will be able to advise and support. If you still have your drink, they will be able to test it for spiking:
Wellbeing:
- Arena – (11am to midnight) – To the left of Main Stage
- Yellow Campsite – (24hrs) Baker Lane in Yellow Campsite, by the Arena Gate
- Purple Campsite – (24hrs)
Medical
- Main Medical Centre (24 hours), Baker Lane in Yellow Campsite, by the Arena Gate
- Arena Medical Centre (11am – midnight), to the left of Main Stage
In partnership with our bar provider, we are ensuring all staff (including our security teams) are briefed on what to be aware of with regards to spiking. Please report any suspicious activity to security or bar staff.
UK Narcotics Anonymous are situated in Purple Campsite, at the entrance to Green Campsite. Their opening hours are:
Thursday: 2pm-9pm
Friday-Sunday: 11am-9pm
Narcotics Anonymous is a community of people who support each other to achieve and maintain a drug free life. At Reading, you can drop into their tent for a chat and attend scheduled meetings.
If you or someone you are with has a bad reaction and needs medical help, talk to the nearest member of staff immediately. Let the medics know what has been taken. You could save your friend’s life. We guarantee you will not get in trouble. People who are overdosing can go downhill very quickly so don’t delay in seeking help.
if you take drugs and become ill, depressed or concerned, make sure you ask the nearest member of staff to direct you to our Medical Tent or Welfare Tent.
Always be honest with medics and welfare teams about what you have consumed so that they know how best to help you.
Medical:
Main Medical Centre and Pharmacy (24 hours), Baker Lane in Yellow Campsite, by the Arena Gate
Arena Medical Centre and Pharmacy (11am – midnight), to the left of Main Stage
White Campsite Medical Unit (24 hours) , This is a smaller unit staffed by nurses, paramedics and first responders. It is set up to deal with minor injuries and illnesses.
Welfare:
- Arena –
(11am to midnight) – To the left of Main Stage
- Yellow Campsite –
(24hrs) Baker Lane in Yellow Campsite, by the Arena Gate
- White Campsite –
(24hrs) Between the Campsite Manager Office and Food Stalls
- Purple Campsite – (24hrs)
Struggling with drink and want to festival sober?
There is a solution.
Alcoholics Anonymous will have a presence at Reading Festival from 11am to 9pm each day to support your needs.
It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been drinking, or how much you drink. Alcoholism is an illness.
We live it too. Which is why we can help. Or perhaps you are simply sober curious.? Our purpose is to stay sober ourselves and help others who turn to us to get sober too. AA meetings are where you will feel supported, where you can feel you belong.
Each day, we will have meetings that last for one hour at 12 noon and 6pm where we will share our experience, strength and hope. Teas and coffees will also be available throughout.
We welcome you, whatever your gender, sexual orientation, income, religion, or race. Anyone with a desire to stop drinking, one day at a time, is welcome. It is free to attend AA. You can just come and listen. Or you can talk and share. It’s up to you.
Security checks are in place to protect you in conjunction with Action Counter Terrorism. 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
If you have lost a child or a person, please contact a member of staff or police officer wearing a hi viz tabard immediately. Alternatively, go to a Wellbeing Tent for assistance:
- Arena – (11am to midnight) – To the left of Main Stage
- Yellow Campsite – (24hrs) Baker Lane in Yellow Campsite, by the Arena Gate
- Purple Campsite – (24hrs)
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.
We want to create an environment where everyone feels safe. Remember:
- There is no safe level of drug use.
- Tolerance can vary depending on person, what you have eaten and done in a day.
- Get help if someone feels unsafe or unwell.
- Our staff are here to help, not judge.
- Don’t be a state – hydrate. Alternate alcohol with water. If your head is not in the right place, get out of the crowd and tell someone how you feel.
- Leave the mixing to the DJ. Mixing substances is always risky.
- Eat, sleep, rehydrate, check in with your mates.
- Don’t feel pressured to do anything you don’t want to do. Someone can’t consent if they are drunk or high.
- Stick together. Don’t leave anyone behind.
For parents/guardians
We know it can be nerve-wracking when your young person is heading to a festival on their own. We hope these tips will help your peace of mind. And please see the Full List of Resources below, to put your mind at ease that there are plenty of people onsite looking out for your young person:
- Hills Meadow Car Park is the dedicated drop off/pick up area.
- Make sure they have all the essentials before they head off: ticket, money, IDs, comfortable footwear, water bottle.
- It is always a good idea to have warm clothing and bedding if they are a weekend camper.
- Sun cream and hats will be a life saver in a heatwave!
- Make sure they can stick with their mates and have a meeting point in case they do get separated.
- Encourage them to lock their valuables in our safe storage facilities at Reapers Street or the lockers at Baker Lane.
- Make sure they know how to pace themselves if they are over 18 and will be drinking alcohol: plenty of water, food and a safe space to hang out.
- Remind them that there is no safe way to take drugs and they will be refused entry or ejected if found with them. However, they or their friends do have a bad experiences with substances, we encourage them to go to a Welfare or Medical tent as soon possible and be honest with our staff. They will not get in trouble and will be given the right care.
Please watch this video created by our local partners, Brighter Futures: