Willesden Jewish Cemetery “House of Life” Exhibition Volunteers – Oral History Recording

We are looking to recruit volunteers to collect oral histories as part of 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?
• Interviewing people connected to the cemetery and recording their stories as oral histories.
• Helping shape exhibition content, researching materials for display, under guidance of a professional exhibition curator, designer and staff of the House of Life and Brent Museum and Archives.
• Editing collected oral histories inclusion in the exhibition and depositing at the archive.

What will you get out of it?
• Experience of conducting interviews for research as part of an exhibition which will shed new light on Jewish life and history in one of London’s most diverse boroughs.
• Developing your research and oral history 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 interpersonal and listening skills
• An interest in history and heritage
• Experience using recording technology for oral history
• Great communication skills and a friendly demeanour
• Well-organised and reliable, with good time-keeping

What training and support will you receive?
• Introduction to archives
• Oral History training
• 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. Oral History Recording will primarily take place from late May to 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, your particular experience and skills, and how you would propose to help us deliver what we need.