Light gardening at historic site (April to September 2026)

Overview

Light gardening at historic site (April to September 2026). Volunteers will help care for Willesden Jewish Cemetery, a historic and still-active burial ground, by taking part in light outdoor maintenance and tidy-up activities. Tasks may include:

• Gentle weeding and clearing around graves and pathways
• Tidying planted areas and communal spaces
• Leaf clearing and seasonal garden care
• Helping maintain a respectful, welcoming environment for visitors

You can volunteer as a one-off, weekly for an hour, for a half day, or for a full day, between April and September. Activities are flexible and suitable for individuals, families, community groups, and colleagues. Responsibilities

Assist with light outdoor maintenance and tidy-up activities at Willesden Jewish Cemetery, including weeding, clearing around graves and pathways, tidying planted areas and spaces, leaf clearing, and seasonal garden care. Support a respectful, welcoming environment for visitors.

Qualifications

There are no formal qualifications required. Suitable for volunteers of various ages and abilities; ability to be outdoors and perform light physical tasks is helpful.

What you will get out of volunteering

Between 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.