Front of House Volunteer at Willesden Jewish Cemetery
Posted 6 days 8 hours ago by Jewish Volunteering Network
Front of House (FoH) volunteers are often the first point of contact for visitors and play a vital role in helping people connect with the history, heritage and stories of Willesden Jewish Cemetery. Thanks to the continued growth of our visitor programme, a small number of volunteer opportunities have become available, and we would love to welcome some new faces to the team. FoH volunteers welcome visitors to the Heritage Centre, enhancing the visitor experience by answering questions about the site, helping visitors navigate the cemetery and engaging them in discussion about history, community, memory and the role of cemeteries in society. FoH volunteers also play an essential role ensuring the smooth and safe running of the visitor centre. After an initial training period FoH volunteers will have the opportunity to become Duty Manager volunteers, who will open up and close the Heritage centre, and ensure a safe and enjoyable time for our visitors. During quiet periods FoH volunteers will support the staff team with administrative tasks.
We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds.
Key Responsibilities- Welcome visitors into the Heritage Centre
- Be friendly and informative
- Answer visitor questions about the site
- Assist visitors in locating graves and navigating the site
- Engage visitors in discussions
- Understand and implement policies related to security and health and safety
- Share enthusiasm for the cemetery, its history and importance
- Provide administrative support when necessary
Monday to Thursday 9 30, Sundays 9 00 or 13 15 or the full day. Volunteers are asked to be available for roughly two shifts a month as a minimum. You can choose to only sign up for shifts on particular days according to your other commitments. Shifts include time for a tea break. We are especially interested in volunteers who are available Monday Thursday.
What you will get out of volunteering for usBetween 2015 and 2021, grants from the National Lottery Heritage Fund enabled the United Synagogue to create a new visitor experience at Willesden Jewish Cemetery and begin a major transformation to conserve its rich heritage for future generations.
The resulting House of Life heritage project established a new Heritage Centre and garden areas, restored listed buildings and significant memorials, and introduced exhibitions, guided walks, and events to engage new audiences with the history of this remarkable site - the resting place of many leading figures in Anglo Jewish life.
The project has involved hundreds of volunteers and welcomed thousands of visitors, opening up the cemetery as a place of learning, reflection, and community connection. As a national Jewish heritage site, the House of Life continues to share stories of memory, migration, and belonging for generations to come.