'House of Life' Volunteering Opportunity - Brent Exhibition Researcher
Date Uploaded: 
Tuesday 5th March 2019

Willesden Jewish Cemetery “House of Life” Exhibition Volunteers – Researcher

We are looking to recruit volunteers to help research and deliver an exhibition at Brent Museum and Archives showcasing the story of Willesden Jewish Cemetery, a place of national importance, where hundreds of notable people are buried.

What does the role involve?
- Helping to shape exhibition content, creating and selecting materials for display, under guidance of a professional exhibition curator, designer and staff of the ‘House of Life’ and Brent Museum and Archives.
- Research in collections and archives.
- Writing content about the stories of the cemetery to be used throughout the exhibition.

What will you get out of it?
- Practical experience of preparing and delivering an exciting exhibition, which will shed new light on Jewish life and history in one of London’s most diverse boroughs.
- Develop your knowledge of local history, and community life.
- Develop your research and creative skills.
- Help others gain access to little known stories and heritage collections.
- Involvement in cultural programming in Brent, London’s Borough of Culture in 2020.

What we are looking for
- Strong research and creative skills
- An interest in history and heritage
- Good communication and listening skills and a friendly demeanour
- Well organised and reliable, with good time-keeping
- Ability to carry out tasks as part of a team and independently at times

What training and support will you receive?
- Introduction to archives and collections research by Brent Museum and Archives
- Training in exhibition copy-writing and content development
- Volunteers will be managed by the House of Life staff team and will work under the guidance of the curator and designer with input from the Brent Museum and Archives team.

We welcome applications from suitably capable volunteers, regardless of background, who are available from April 2019. Volunteering hours will be during the working day and may include Sundays. Exhibition Research will primarily take place from May until the end of July 2019. The exhibition will then run from early October 2019 until late February 2020.

The placement will primarily be based at Brent Museum & Archives at the Library in Willesden Green, 95 High Road, London NW10 2SF. It will also involve work at Willesden Jewish Cemetery, a 15-minute walk away. Travel expenses will be paid.

To apply, email vproctor@theus.org.uk and please tell us why you would like to take up this role, and your relevant experience and skills

Other volunteering roles are available to help the development of the exhibition, please see https://www.theus.org.uk/article/get-involved for a complete list of roles.

Read more: https://www.theus.org.uk/houseoflife