Join Us!

About volunteering at Porty Pride

Porty Pride is in its 4th year. Our 2024 programme is jam-packed with events: from swims, runs, and roller derby at the beach to speakers at Porty Library and a film night, poetry night and our fabulous Porty-Pride Ball at the newly refurbished Portobello Town Hall. To ensure these events are well managed and everyone has fun in safe environments, we rely on the support of our wonderful volunteers.

Whether it is helping to manage the dog walk, working on a merchandise stall, guiding folk around the neighbourhood, or checking tickets at one of the events, volunteers play a vital role in making these events happen.

And once you’re in as an event volunteer it’s easy to get hooked! For some people, it’s the excitement of being part of the Porty Pride Team and meeting new people. For others, it’s developing new skills and being ‘behind the scenes’ at places like the Library or The Town Hall. But most of all our volunteers are passionate about making a difference and helping to create a safe and welcoming Portobello community for all LGBTQ+ people and their allies.

What will I be doing?

On the run-up to Porty Pride, you might be involved in:

• Speaking to local businesses about ways they can get involved

• Designing promotional materials and merchandise

• Supporting with social media and comms

On Porty Pride weekend, you may be asked to:

• Meet and greet folk attending our events

• Help set up and take down the events such as the film night or disco

• Stewarding for events like the dog walk

• Handing out leaflets and maps and helping people to get to events

• Ensuring people are safe

You’ll be volunteering as part of the team making the events happen, working with other volunteers and the Porty Pride Organisers helping to create a great experience for visitors.

What skills and experience will I need?

There are no specific skills or experience you need to volunteer for Porty Pride, but we ask that you are:

• Flexible and willing to volunteer outdoors

• Enthusiastic about the LGBTQ+ equality and helping at events

• Willing to work as part of a team

• Sign up to the mission and values of Porty Pride

• Over the age of 18

If you have specific skills and experience that you think might be useful—such as event management, selling merch, or social media skills please let us know when you apply.

How much time will it take?

Most volunteering happens over the Porty Pride weekend, (28th - 30th June), but some volunteers help us on the run-up to the event too.

The amount of time you’ll need to give will be dependent on your role at the event. There could be earlyish starts or late nights, but we’ll never ask you to help for more than eight hours. And for some roles, such as helping with administration including social media tasks, we may only need your help for a couple of hours.

What else can I expect?

We’ll provide essential kit such as a lanyard, but you will need to dress appropriately for the conditions and the task. For example, you may be marshalling the dog walk along the prom in the rain or in the warm sunshine, so a waterproof and or a bottle of water may be needed.

In return for your valuable help, we aim to ensure that volunteering for Porty Pride is a fulfilling and worthwhile experience. We will provide essential information (such as safeguarding policy) ahead of the event and you’ll have support from the organisers, with the opportunity to gain and develop skills and meet other volunteers.

We’ll reimburse agreed out‐of‐pocket expenses, such as bus fares and lunch, as long as receipts are provided.

Throughout the year, volunteers get together in a local pub once a month for a social.

If you’d like to find out more about becoming an event volunteer and helping make the Porty a welcoming and inclusive space for all LGBTQ+ folk register your interest and we’ll be in touch.