Glastonbury Festival may be over for another year, but while many fondly recall the music and atmosphere, there’s one aspect few miss—the toilets. Known for long queues, unpleasant smells, and less-than-glamorous conditions, festival toilets often rank as one of the more challenging parts of the event for attendees.
This year, TikTok user Charley Newstead decided to volunteer by cleaning the festival’s toilets—a role many would shy away from. However, far from being put off, Charley shared an uplifting experience, stirring admiration from festival-goers and highlighting a fantastic charitable cause.
In her viral video, Charley explains, “Why volunteer to clean the loos at Glasto? Because it’s iconic, and I love to do iconic s***,” as she demonstrates her work: spraying, mopping, and making the facilities sparkle. Contrary to popular belief, the toilets weren’t in terrible shape, especially early in the morning before the festivalgoers emerged.
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She also revealed that this volunteering effort raised £500,000 for WaterAid, a global charity dedicated to improving access to clean water and sanitation worldwide. Charley emphasized the importance of her contribution, stating, “Not everyone is fortunate to have clean sanitation, and the change starts with water.”
Festival attendees echoed her sentiments, praising the cleanliness of the toilets throughout the event. One remarked, “They did a really good job this year—only one bad toilet experience, and the long drops were mostly clean.” Charley responded warmly, expressing pride in her team’s efforts. Another added, “I think the issues happen mostly when people mis-use the facilities.”
WaterAid also chimed in, calling Charley “iconic,” to which she humbly replied, “I didn’t think I’d enjoy the role so much, but it really was iconic.”
The volunteers keeping the toilets clean are often the “unsung heroes” of Glastonbury, ensuring everyone has a better festival experience. Beyond the festival, WaterAid’s work is vital, supporting communities worldwide by building sanitation infrastructure, promoting hygiene education, and advocating for clean water access.
Through efforts like Charley’s and organizations like WaterAid, we’re reminded that small acts—like cleaning toilets—can make a huge difference in changing lives for the better.