Volunteering as a homeopath at Glastonbury Festival 2023

For many tens of thousands at Glastonbury 2023, Elton John was undoubtedly the highlight of the five-day festival this year. But for the 16 volunteering in the Travelling Homeopathy Collective (THC) clinic at the entrance to the Healing Fields, providing acute support to over 300 revellers, that was by far a greater highpoint.

Many homeopaths have commented other years that these numbers are small in comparison to how it was back in their day. And perhaps they are, but the five days highlighted, once again, the importance of acute prescribing whatever the numbers coming through the 'door'.

Not only do the remedies afford relief to those struggling, but the 15-minute appointments are an opportunity to showcase the scope of homeopathy and how this alternative medicine can support them moving forward beyond the festival. And no one left the clinic without the name of a homeopath in their area – what a great opportunity to refer to our colleagues up and down the country.

It is also worth noting that we spoke to more than double that amount of people about homeopathy and how it could support them. It's wonderful to see their eyes light up at the prospect of getting help for a set of symptoms they can't make head or tail of.

There isn't the space here to recount all the cases – but a handful highlight the knock-on effect of acute prescribing.

One young woman came into the clinic suffering with a bout of cystitis – she was helped and went on her way. Within an hour she had sent a couple of her friends – the remedy had not only helped her but her friends were seeking out homeopathy for the first time in their lives.

Friday afternoon presented its own challenges when those on duty were called to provide support to a man who very obviously needed an ambulance and hospital care. He returned the day after to thank the THC team for the assistance given for over an hour while the emergency car battled its way through the crowds to get to him.

Being listened to was one of the top comments made after appointments, 'what a wonderful vibe' and 'what a pleasurable experience' just two of the other remarks made time and time again.

One young man came in after having had a series of emergency hospital tests, which had revealed nothing, and yet he wasn't feeling at all well. He had been admitted for 24 hours and yet he said no one had listened quite like the homeopath had in the 15 minutes he had spent with her. He was advised by the on duty homeopath to consider going to his GP and his local hospital at home for further tests but in the meantime was given an indicated remedy to support him.

It was heartening to have a couple of NHS clinical staff come into the marquee looking for help. One conversation was particularly encouraging – a young paramedic claimed those coming up through the ranks now are more open to alternative medicine and wished they could use it alongside allopathic medication. 'Once the old guard are gone it will be very different' she concluded.

If Glastonbury shows us nothing else it is that acute prescribing isn't just for festivals, but it's for all of us day in and day out!