Safeguarding & Accessibility at Smugglers Festival

At Smugglers Festival, we believe feeling safe and free to be yourself are part of the magic. Whether you’re dancing, working, performing, resting, or exploring - we want you to feel safe, respected, supported, and free.


This guide outlines what we have in place to support your wellbeing and access needs across the weekend. It applies to everyone: guests, crew, artists, families, traders, volunteers - everyone is welcome and everyone is looked after.

Creating a safe, inclusive space is a collective effort. We ask everyone at Smugglers to:

  • Look out for each other
  • Treat everyone with care and respect
  • Take responsibility for your actions
  • Let us know what we can do better
  • This policy is reviewed annually and shaped by feedback from guests, crew, 
    and access users.

A Safe Space for All

We’re proud to be an inclusive, community-driven, small-scale festival rooted in community and creativity. That means:

  • We don’t tolerate discrimination, harassment or exclusion of any kind.
  • We ask everyone on site to play their part in making Smugglers a safe space. 

Whether it’s checking in on someone who looks overwhelmed, giving people space, or reporting something that doesn’t feel right - your actions help shape the vibe.

Consent & Respect

Everyone has the right to feel safe and respected.

  • Respect people’s space, privacy, identity and pronouns.
  • Sexual harassment, intimidation, or non-consensual behaviour of any kind goes against our ethos.
  • Our crew can signpost you to a manager who is safeguarding aware and will respond swiftly and with care.

First Aid, Welfare & Drug and Alcohol use

We operate a zero-tolerance policy on illegal drugs. Anyone found supplying or dealing drugs will be required to leave the festival immediately. To support everyone’s safety and wellbeing, bar staff will refuse service to anyone who appears to be excessively intoxicated.

However, we understand that people may sometimes feel unwell or overwhelmed. If you or someone you know has taken something and is having a difficult time, please don’t hesitate to seek help. Our friendly, experienced Welfare and Medical teams are on
hand 24/7, located by the hot showers on site.

Feeling unwell, unsafe, anxious, or overwhelmed? Come and chat with us. Our approach is non-judgemental and supportive.

Whether it’s a bad trip, a panic attack, or just needing a quiet moment—we’re here. No judgement.

Need first aid or more serious medical assistance? We have extensive first aid kits, a defibrillator and trained medics on site to help.

You can find the First Aid and Welfare tent situated by the hot showers (see map), or you can ask a steward to radio for medics to come to you if needed. Need to call emergency services? The venue address is Mulberry Lodge, Stoneheap Road, Deal, CT14 0HS

Accessibility at Smugglers (see our access page for more details)

We’re committed to making the festival accessible and enjoyable for as many people as possible. Our access provisions include:

  • Step-free access across the site
  • Accessible toilets.
  • Quiet zones are more challenging due to our small site. We recommend the wellbeing area by the pond as a quieter space during the daytime and the Welfare tent for somewhere to go 24/7.
  • Free personal assistant/carer tickets
  • Accessible parking and drop-off zones
  • Clear signage and map for ease of navigation
  • An on-site Access Contact for support during the event - and on our website at https://smugglersfestival.com/pages/accessibility
  • Pre-festival access conversations for anyone who needs help planning their weekend

 If you have access needs, email us in advance to discuss your access requirements: accessibility@smugglersrecords.com

Reporting & Support

If something doesn’t feel right—tell someone. You can speak to:

  • The First Aid and Welfare team
  • Box office or speak to any steward or ask to speak to a supervisor
  • Security team 

All reports are taken seriously and dealt with confidentially and sensitively. You will be listened to and supported.

Lost child or missing person - Report to box office. Please note, if you find a lost child their parent/carers mobile number should be on their wristband.

Emergencies & Practical Safety

Fire pits are situated in Nomads’ Land and Gilly’s Wood and are manned by a designated member of the Smugglers crew.

Fire lanes must stay clear—no personal open flames or BBQ’s but campers are allowed camping gas stoves in camping areas.

In case of evacuation, accessible routes and trained stewards will assist. Missing persons or children? Visit the Box Office to alert staff and get help.

Our site team works around the clock to keep you safe.

Our Crew & Training

All staff, crew, and volunteers receive:

  • Basic safeguarding guidance, and a copy of our policy and processes
  • We have a designated Accessibility Team for all access and inclusion needs
  • Clear reporting and escalation procedures

We have a Safeguarding Team available on-site throughout the festival. 

Questions? Feedback? Need support? 

Email us at: hello@smugglersrecords.com