Zoe Ball has revealed her trick for getting her 16-year-old daughter Nelly to check in while attending Reading Festival solo for the first time. The radio presenter, 55, shared the tip as new research from Vodafone found that 65% of parents feel anxious about their kids attending a festival, despite 92% trusting them to make good decisions. Three quarters (74%) will spend the weekend eagerly awaiting updates.
A festival veteran's new perspective
Ball, a self-confessed festival veteran, is watching the action from the sidelines this year as Nelly heads to Reading without her for the first time. The mother-of-two knows from her own experience how easy it is to get caught up in everything the season has to offer.
"I've been going to festivals for years and absolutely love them, there's nothing quite like that feeling of heading off with your mates, seeing your favourite bands and having a brilliant weekend," Ball said. "Now Nelly's doing it, I'm experiencing festivals from the other side as a mum! You want them to go off, have the best time and enjoy that independence... but you also really, really want that little message home to know they're having an amazing time, and all is well."
Check-in & Chips at Reading
Festival-goers, including Nelly, will be able to visit the first-ever Vodafone's Check-in & Chips experience at Reading, where they can send a quick video message home in a specially designed scribble booth - and get a free portion of chips in return.
Ball is a fan of the concept. "Having a great signal makes that so much easier, although actually getting your teenager to use it and check in is another matter! I love Vodafone's Check-in & Chips because, frankly, if a message home comes with free chips, everyone's a winner. They get fed, we get our update. Perfect!"
Festival season for teens
Festival season remains a rite of passage for Britain's teenagers, with 57% heading to one this summer and 29% of 16 to 18-year-olds going without their family for the first time. Reading has long been one of the biggest events of the summer, and more than 100,000 people will pitch their tents on the enormous site from today.
As well as the Check-in & Chips experience, Vodafone, the Official Connectivity Partner of some of the UK's most beloved festivals, is offering power bank stations where music lovers can purchase fully charged power banks, which can be swapped for a fresh one each day. Vodafone and Three customers also get access to Vodafone's Viewing Platform, with free ice cream, complimentary phone charging and stunning views of The Grid. Those heading to Leeds can pop into Vodafone's Connect & Charge area to juice up and connect to free Wi-Fi when taking a breather between sets.
Rob Winterschladen, Consumer Director at VodafoneThree, said: "Connectivity is now a huge part of the festival experience - whether you're sharing unforgettable moments, checking in with loved ones or finding friends in the crowd. This weekend, we're excited to showcase the power of Vodafone 5G +, showing how next-generation connectivity on Vodafone can unlock new experiences and give festivalgoers fun, engaging ways to connect to the moments that matter."
