We care a lot

Well-being and safety have been priorities for Pukkelpop for years. Under the motto "We Care A Lot," the festival strives to create a party environment where everyone should be able to feel welcome and relaxed. This year, Pukkelpop takes it one step further by collaborating with several experts in the field of well-being, including Hogeschool UCLL.

'We Care A Lot' is a story of collaboration and co-responsibility. At Pukkelpop, everyone is welcome regardless of sex, gender, orientation, culture, religion, ethnicity or disability. In line with this goal, Hogeschool UCLL is pleased to raise awareness around this theme on the Pukkelpop site. All Pukkelpop staff involved with the well-being of festival-goers will receive special training so that they can respond vigilantly and appropriately where and when necessary during the festival days.

Just like last year, the We Care A Lot emergency number (011 888 180) will be activated during the festival, a new feature is Whatsapp that allows texting as well. "Pukkelpoppers can also scan a QR code or use the safety button in the PKP app" says festival spokesman Frederik Luyten. "We are available 24/7. Our We Care A Lot approach is one of prevention, sensibilization and awareness. On the repressive side, police services will not hesitate to act when necessary. There's no room for troublemakers at our little party.”

Creative awareness

This year Pukkelpop is creating a separate "We Care A Lot" zone where all partners working on safety and well-being gather. Students and teachers from UCLL's well-being programs (including the Orthopedagogy training program) will raise awareness among festival-goers by "learning to set and monitor boundaries." The We Care A Lot booth is located at the Dance site. Between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., four mobile teams make their way across the festival grounds. They will make festival-goers aware of setting boundaries and the role bystanders can play (the so-called bystander effect) in transgressive behavior.

In addition the We Care A Lot booth will be permanently staffed, between 2 p.m. and 10 p.m. After 10 p.m., mobile awareness teams will be deployed until the end of the festival. These teams are in close contact with the security services, providing additional eyes and ears on the Pukkelpop meadow. Evi Neven, program manager UCLL - Orthopedagogy (Hasselt campus): "Spending four days with students and teachers to creatively introduce an important theme to festival visitors – that's precisely what we're all about!"

Collabs

We Care A Lot includes a number of other collaborations. Plan International focuses on transgressive behavior with "Operation Consent" and will be present at Camping Chill throughout the whole festival. Well-being partnerships Safe 'n Sound is committed to harm reduction involving alcohol, drugs and hearing damage, the Limburg Care Center after Sexual Violence is an organization that provides care for victims of sexual violence. The province of Limburg informs about ‘SLim’: alcohol, drug and speed checks in the context of road safety. Festivalgoers can experience the effects of drunk driving in a driving simulator with VR goggles and at the breathalyzer they can test the amount of promille in their blood. Integra will advise young people about the dangers of alcohol and drug use.

Festivalgoers travel to Kiewit for free by train (NMBS) or bus (De Lijn). In addition, Pukkelpop also offers free earplugs, condoms, sunscreen and drinking water. There is also an extensive selection of healthy food and non-alcoholic beverages.

Respect each other

“But in the end, of course, it is the festival-goer who makes his own choices. So, have fun, take care of your friends and yourself, go crazy, but respect each other. And if something does go wrong, don't hesitate to reach out. We are here to help, not to judge." concludes Frederik Luyten.