The Parade Route Marshal plays a crucial role in ensuring the Rowner Carnival Parade runs safely, smoothly, and enjoyably for everyone involved. This volunteer position places individuals along designated points of the official parade route where they act as visible safety stewards, friendly ambassadors for the event, and key support personnel for the parade management team.
As a Parade Route Marshal, your primary responsibility is to help maintain a safe and clear route for parade participants, including performers, floats, walking groups, and support vehicles. You will help prevent unauthorised access to the parade roadway, ensuring that members of the public do not step into the route while the parade is moving. Your presence helps create a clear boundary between spectators and the procession, reducing risk and supporting overall crowd safety.
Marshals are also there to support the safe enjoyment of spectators. You will provide polite guidance to members of the public, directing them to appropriate and safe viewing areas and answering general questions where possible. You are often the first point of contact for the community, so a friendly, calm, and approachable manner is essential. The role is highly visible and contributes to the welcoming, inclusive atmosphere that RRCEA promotes at all of its events.
Throughout the parade, you will remain alert to your surroundings, watching for potential hazards such as trip risks, crowd surges, vehicles attempting to access closed roads, or individuals behaving in a way that could put themselves or others at risk. If you identify a concern, you must report it immediately to your Zone Supervisor, Event Control, or via radio if issued. Marshals are not expected to resolve incidents themselves but instead to observe, report, and support the event’s safety structure.
Parade Route Marshals may assist with pedestrian crossings at designated points, but only when instructed and when safe gaps in the parade allow. You will not be responsible for directing live traffic unless you are specifically trained and authorised to do so. You are also not expected to deal with conflict situations alone; any aggressive or unsafe behaviour must be referred to supervisors or event security.
This role requires volunteers to be reliable, attentive, and able to remain standing outdoors for extended periods in a variety of weather conditions. Confidence in speaking to the public, good situational awareness, and the ability to stay calm under pressure are important qualities. No previous experience is necessary, as a full safety briefing and instructions will be provided before the parade begins.
RRCEA will provide marshals with a high-visibility vest or tabard and clear instructions about their allocated position and responsibilities. Supervisors and event control teams will be in place throughout the route to provide support at all times.
The Parade Route Marshal role is essential to the success of the Rowner Carnival. Without volunteers in these positions, the parade cannot operate safely. By taking on this role, you are directly contributing to the protection of participants and spectators while helping bring a much-loved community celebration back to life for Rowner.
Skills
- Friendly, approachable, and confident speaking to the public
- Good awareness of surroundings
- Calm under pressure
- Reliable and punctual
- Able to stand for extended periods
- Willing to follow instructions from event supervisors and emergency services
No previous experience is required full briefing will be provided on the day and prior to the event.
Details
- Accessibility
This role is open to a wide range of volunteers. We will make reasonable adjustments where possible, including allocating accessible marshal points, allowing seated positions where safe, and pairing volunteers if additional support is needed. Please tell us in advance about any mobility, sensory, or communication needs so we can place you appropriately and provide the best support. - Age restrictions
Volunteers must be aged 18+ due to the safety-critical nature of the role, responsibility for public-facing crowd guidance, and the need to follow safety instructions confidently. We may offer alternative youth volunteering opportunities in non-safety-critical roles with appropriate supervision. - DBS check required
A DBS check is not required for Parade Route Marshals because the role does not involve regulated activity or unsupervised work with children or vulnerable adults. Marshals must not provide personal care, escort individuals alone, or take children away from parents/guardians. If a role changes to include regular, unsupervised contact with children/vulnerable adults, RRCEA will review DBS requirements. - Equal Opportunities Policy
RRCEA is committed to equal opportunities and welcomes volunteers from all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of age (within role requirements), disability, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, pregnancy/maternity, or any other protected characteristic. Volunteers are treated with respect and any concerns can be raised with the Volunteer Coordinator. - Expenses reimbursed
Food and refreshments will be available and provided to all volunteers. This is a volunteer role and RRCEA is not currently able to reimburse travel or personal expenses. Volunteers are provided with essential event equipment (e.g., high-visibility vest) and full briefing on the day. - Health and Safety Policy
RRCEA has a Health & Safety approach for events including a structured Event Management Plan, risk assessments, and a marshal briefing. Volunteers must follow instructions from supervisors and Event Control, remain at their allocated position, and report hazards/incidents immediately. High-visibility PPE will be provided, and volunteers will be supported by a clear escalation process for any concerns. - Ongoing support
Support is available before and during the event. Volunteers will have a named supervisor/zone lead, clear reporting routes, and access to Event Control for issues that need escalation. After the event, volunteers can provide feedback and request additional support or clarification for future volunteering opportunities. - Training provided
All Parade Route Marshals receive a safety briefing and role guidance before deployment. This includes: route rules, public-facing communication, incident reporting, lost child escalation procedure, what to do in an emergency, and what marshals must not do (e.g., physical intervention or directing moving traffic unless authorised). No prior experience is required. - Volunteer induction
A volunteer induction will be provided on the day and may also be shared in advance. This covers: arrival and sign-in, role expectations, safeguarding basics, radio/communication (where issued), emergency procedures, welfare arrangements, breaks/rotation (where applicable), and stand-down at the end of the parade. Volunteers will confirm they understand instructions before starting. - Volunteer Policy
RRCEA has a Volunteer Policy that outlines expectations, code of conduct, safeguarding awareness, equality and inclusion, and how volunteers are supported. All volunteers are expected to act responsibly, follow event safety procedures, and treat members of the public and fellow volunteers with respect. Concerns or issues can be raised with the Volunteer Coordinator at any time. - Volunteers covered by insurance
All registered volunteers are covered under RRCEA’s event insurance, including Public Liability insurance, while carrying out their agreed volunteer duties during the event. Volunteers must follow event instructions, remain within their assigned role, and sign in/out to ensure coverage applies. - Written role description
A full written role description is provided for Parade Route Marshals. This explains responsibilities such as maintaining a safe parade route, guiding spectators, observing and reporting hazards, and supporting event safety procedures. It also clearly outlines what the role does not include, such as directing live traffic or physically intervening in incidents.
When can I volunteer?
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes |
| Afternoon | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes |
| Evening | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
Availability Details
Sunday 26th July.
Location
Nimrod Centre
17 Falcon Meadows Way
Rowner
Gosport
Hampshire
PO13 8AA
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