Safety
FESTIVAL SAFE
Whether you’re a Y Not first-timer or a hardened veteran, check out Festival Safe for some handy hints and tips to have the best weekend:
Confused about what tent to buy?
Wondering how you’re going to cope with the toilets?
Need a ready-made kit list of what to bring?!
Festival Safe have got the facts on staying safe and having fun at festivals.
Security
We have 24/7 security and stewards who are there for your protection. There are also sniffer dogs on site all weekend long. Their purpose is to keep the festival safe so that everyone can enjoy the festival as much as possible. Please co-operate with them. The site fencing is in place to protect everyone at the event. Tampering with it is forbidden and may result in ejection from the event.
Police
There are police on site at all times should you need them, to report any crimes you will be able to locate their base in the Village Green. Please remember, possessions are your responsibility and tents are not secure. Please only bring what you need – the less stuff you need to keep an eye on the better. Please bear in mind that you are at a festival and you should avoid bringing anything you would not mind losing.
Fire
Personal camp fires are prohibited in the campsite and will be extinguished to protect the safety of everyone at the festival. Please note that due to safety reasons, we do not permit personal campsites or disposable BBQs. This is to reduce fire risk. Purpose built, raised BBQs can only be used in the designated BBQ area, not outside tents.
Gas Canisters
Gas canisters are allowed on site, although please be reasonable with how much you bring. Remember not to cook inside tents, and take extreme caution when changing camping gas. The Gas Canister limit is 250g.
Aerosols
Aerosols are allowed on site but please be sensible and respect your fellow festival goers. Misuse can result in ejection from the festival.
Pyrotechnics
As of April 2017, changes in legislation under the policing and crime act 2017 means that anyone found guilty of possessing Pyrotechnics (Flares, Fireworks, Smoke Bombs etc) at a music festival could face up to 3 months in prison. Please do not bring them to the festival under any circumstances.
Ear Protection
We recommend bringing ear protection with you to the festival, particularly if you have young children coming with you as the decibel levels of the music could reach a level to cause permanent damage.
Remember you can only prevent tinnitus. Ear plugs are also available from the Welfare tent at the festival.
Alcohol Policy
Alcohol brought to the festival must comply with event regulations, anyone aged 18 and over can bring in limited amounts and types of alcohol. You may be asked for proof of age. Strictly no glass is permitted.
Alcohol will only be permitted on first entry to the campsite. You will not be able to exit and re-enter with more alcohol.
Personal Alcohol cannot be brought into the Arena, it will be on sale at Festival Bars subject to ‘Challenge 25’ ID policy.
Quantity Per Person
Up to 24 cans of beer/lager/ cider or alcopops (a mixture is fine)
Or
1 Bottle of Spirit (70cl Max – must be decanted. NO GLASS)
Or
2 Bottles of Wine (75cl Max – must be decanted. NO GLASS)
Drugs Policy
Y Not festival has a zero tolerance approach to substance misuse and drugs on it’s festival site. Please do not bring any psychoactive or controlled substances to the event. Any one caught with a prohibited substance or item will be refused entry or ejected from the site.
We operate a a Prevent, Pursue, Protect policy. This means, Prevent illegal drugs getting onto the site. Pursue anyone suspected of supplying illegal drugs, Protect the festival goers.
We are increasing our security provision on the main gates and having more searches, we have also increased the amount of sniffer dogs on site and are also employing outreach and security teams to spend more time in the campsites engaging with customers. In the past we have found substances mixed with everything from rat poison to washing up powder, please do not take any risks. Do not bring any banned substances to the event and if you are offered any, refuse them.
Sexual Health
Don’t forget to pack all your essential items for the festival! If you think you might have sex with someone you’ve just met, always carry condoms with you and make sure that you use them if you have sex. They protect you from STIs and pregnancy. Safe Sex packs (condoms and lube) are available from Derbyshire Sexual Health Services during the festival.
If you’ve had unprotected sex and are worried about getting pregnant, see their Emergency Contraception web page for more information about what types of emergency contraception are available and where you can access them or pop along and ask one of their staff at the festival for some advice. You can also order your free STI testing kit for when you get home.
Sexual health isn’t just about protecting yourself from getting sexually transmitted infections or becoming pregnant. There are lots of emotions involved in sex and relationships and it’s important to remain healthy and happy. If you’re worried about sexual abuse or sexual assault, please speak to the staff onsite at the First Aid & Welfare point located in the Village Green.
Confidentiality is important to them and they offer non-judgemental sexual health advice and services, which are accessible and inclusive. For more information about sex and relationships please visit their website, and follow them on Twitter, Facebook and You Tube @yshmderbys.
Y Not is committed to upholding the best practice to address incidents of sexual assault or harassment on its festival site. We are working with the following organisations & charities to ensure Y Not is a safe space for all who attend:
AIF Safer Spaces
In association with the AIF (Association of Independent festivals) we are pleased to be supporting the AIF Safer Spaces Campaign. To find out more please visit there website here
1625 Outreach
1625 Outreach will provide non-judgmental, fact-based, information and support surrounding drug and alcohol use and the associated risks. Aiming to give young people and young adults the knowledge and skills to make more informed choices, to keep themselves and their peers aware, safe, and well. Including:
- Harm reduction advice and information (about drugs and alcohol).
- Tips and advice on staying safe whilst having a good time.
- Support to access other help, such as wellbeing and sexual health services.
- Onward referral and signposting if needed.
- Outreach in the community.
SV2
SV2 is a Derbyshire based Charity who are commissioned by Derbyshire Constabulary to provide support to victims of sexual violence such as assault, abuse or rape. They provide this support through Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVA’s) and Children’s Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (CHISVA’s) and also, through other funding streams, a range of counselling and therapy to both adults and children for recent and historical abuse. They are non-gender specific and work with survivors to inform, support, protect and empower. They work in partnership with the police but independently in order to advocate for anyone who accesses the service.
Derbyshire Suicide Prevention Programme
The Derby and Derbyshire Suicide Prevention Programme will have a team presence at Y Not for the 2nd year running hoping to get those conversations started, smashing the stigma and ending the Silence around Suicide. The team will be out and about at the festival, with some great local and national help or you can come and have a chat and pick up some information from our stall in the Welfare Area. We are looking forward to seeing you all.
Mentall
Mentell provides safe and confidential spaces for men (18+) to talk, free from advice and judgment. With over 3000 members nationwide, the charity offers any man a free to access weekly peer-to-peer support group both online and in-person. Since 2019 Mentell has been commissioned by Derbyshire County Council to raise awareness for men’s mental health and the service actively supports over 600 local men. Why not come say hi to the team and help more men talk.
Personal & Onsite Welfare
If you find yourself in a vulnerable situation or are feeling particularly vulnerable or alone and scared at our event then please rest assured that our welfare team is here to help. Our medical and welfare teams are located in the Village Green area of the site and are open 24 hrs a day. They are there to help and to lend a friendly, non judgemental ear to whatever ails you. Look out for our roaming welfare teams in the campsites, who are always happy to help or just have a chat too.
Admission to the event is at the ticket holders risk. Y Not Festivals Ltd and the premises license holder will not held liable for any loss, injuries or damages sustained at the event. This includes damage, theft or losses to property and motor vehicles if the cause is due to the negligence of the ticket holder or the actions of other patrons or third parties.
Adverse Weather
Y Not Festival is situated on greenfield land, as such conditions during adverse weather may become hazardous. Please ensure you bring appropriate footwear and clothing to cater for the possibility of wet, muddy and slippery conditions. Whilst we have enough infrastructure in place to keep everyone dry, warm and out of the mud this year, it does help if you guys can keep yourself safe too. Dressing appropriately is essential to a good weekend and increases the chances that you stay in the beer tent and out of the medical tent.
Bring warm clothes just in case the temperature drops at night. Bring the best quality waterproofs and shelter that you have. Wear wellies or waterproof walking boots. If you get wet go back to your tent and change out of your wet clothes, particularly before you go to sleep.
Particularly essential this year too is Suncream, a good hat and sunglasses, because remember we do occasionally get a scorcher too!
Electrical Storms
Stay away from electrical equipment
Take shelter until the storm has passed
Avoid contact with any metal support or structure
If you cannot get shelter or are in your tent, then you should crouch with your shoes on and your hands resting on your knees or covering your ears.
Do not let your hands or knees touch the ground and do not lie flat on the ground
If strong winds occur as well as electrical storms, then marquees will be closed and people will be advised to seek shelter in their vehicles.