Welfare support staff available 24-7 at festival

Organisers outline support available to festival-goers next month at the event in Cornwall.

A major music festival will have teams of welfare staff available 24 hours a day during the event, organisers say. Boardmasters takes place near Newquay in Cornwall between 5-9 August and more than 50,000 are expected to attend. Support to be offered would include: mental health practitioners, safeguarding professionals and medical clinicians, plus a team providing specialist support for those affected by sexual violence, harassment or domestic abuse, bosses said.

Festival director Rob Spring said: "While we cannot single-handedly solve the societal challenges that exist beyond the festival gates, we can ensure that the right people, expertise and support are in place should anyone need them". He added: "No issue is too big or too small, and we will continue to prioritise and invest in creating an environment where people feel supported, respected and confident that help is available whenever they may need it, without fear or judgement." In 2023, there was a serious sexual assault on an 18-year-old woman on a beach that police linked to the festival.

In 2025, seven people were taken to hospital after a crowd surge, which have resulted in additional safety measures since. Event organisers said "no single event can entirely eliminate" wider societal problems such as harassment, sexual violence, domestic abuse, spiking, vulnerability, poor mental health and antisocial behaviour. "Boardmasters recognises that preparing for and responding to these realities is a fundamental part of its duty of care, ensuring that appropriate support is available to anyone who may need it and helping festival-goers access that support without judgement," they added.

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