Carnival Volunteers WANTED – join the London School of Samba

Photo of the London School of Samba Bateria Class

Volunteer For Notting Hill Carnival 2022

Carnival volunteers wanted!  The London School of samba is looking for people who want to give back to the community and support Notting Hill Carnival. Are you looking for the opportunity to be directly involved in Europe’s biggest street carnival?  The London School of Samba is looking for volunteers to help us at the school’s most important and exciting event, the Notting Hill Carnival parade!

Carnival volunteers – everyone is welcome to help

If you are thinking about giving back to the community, being one of our carnival volunteers is a great way to do this.  Everyone is welcome to help out, and your role at Notting Hill Carnival will include helping to look after the well-being of our performers.   There are loads of ways you can help such as handing out water and snacks along the route.  Other essential tasks include assisting with rope handling (to manage the parade route) and handing out flyers to spectators along the way.

Our volunteers will also need to communicate with the carnival organisers to ensure everything runs smoothly on the day. You can also unleash your creative side by helping with costumes, makeup and float building!  There are loads of ways to help and to say thank you we can offer you discounted samba drumming and samba dance lessons at the London School of Samba.  Volunteers must be free on 26 August 2022 and be 18 years old or over. You can also volunteer if you are 16 or 17, but you must be accompanied by an adult (over 18 years old).

About the London School of Samba

London School of Samba - Notting Hill Carnival - photo Wayne Campbell

The London School of Samba is committed to advancing education for public benefit through the promotion of the arts, with particular (but not exclusive) reference to Samba music, dance, costume-making and the culture and tradition of Afro-Brazilian carnivals. We are a volunteer-run organisation and take pride in connecting people from all backgrounds through the love of art and dance.

The London School of Samba has been helping people experience Brazilian Carnival Arts since 1984. We provide weekly classes and workshops covering dance, drumming, costume-making and much more. Each year we participate in the Notting Hill Carnival and other smaller parades and perform at live shows and gigs across London. We have linked to Brazil through our godmother school Mocidade—2017 Rio Carnival Champions! Back in the UK, we have been featured in many magazines, newspapers and TV shows—you might have seen us on Strictly Come Dancing or Britain’s Got More Talent.

What We Are Looking for?

2018 Waterloo Carnival - photo of the bateria from London School of Samba

No experience required, just lots of energy on the day and willingness to get involved in our wonderful and diverse Samba community.

Volunteers must be available on 26 August 2022, ready for an early start (7 am) and be available for the entire day. We will meet at our carnival base in Shepherds Bush before making our way to the Parade starting position near Westbourne Park. The parade ends near Ladbroke Grove, and we will walk back to our carnival base.

Volunteers must be free on 26 August 2022 and be 18 years old or over. You can also volunteer if you are 16 or 17, but you must be accompanied by an adult (over 18 years old).

We are looking forward to welcoming you to the team, so if you have any questions or require a little more detail about the event or other volunteering opportunities, then please email [email protected], and we’ll be in touch!