After working at an accountancy firm until 2018, Juliet Barnett decided to step away from her career and explore volunteering opportunities. She took some courses at Resource and began her volunteering journey at Somerset House.
In 2019, a friend mentioned that Willesden Jewish Cemetery was recruiting volunteers, following the award of a Heritage Lottery Grant. Juliet’s love of art and history, as well as her history degree, meant that she was keen to put herself forward for this role.
Juliet took part in extensive training, preparing to become a tour guide. Just as she was due to give her first tour, the Covid lockdown came into effect. During the pandemic, regular seminars and get-togethers for the volunteers took place online in order to stay connected and continue learning.
When tours eventually resumed, she began by leading the Stories Tour, previously called the Highlights Tour. Since then, the volunteer team has worked collaboratively to create a variety of themed tours, each exploring different aspects of the cemetery’s fascinating history.
Today, her role includes both tour guiding and supporting events. Juliet said: “What I enjoy most about my role is sharing history and bringing people’s stories to life. The people buried at Willesden Jewish Cemetery made significant contributions to British life, and telling their stories helps ensure their legacies are not forgotten.”
Although Juliet was slightly nervous when she first started guiding groups, her confidence has grown and she is constantly looking for ways to improve the tours. She has started including photos of the individuals whose stories she is sharing to show the groups, and often also finds that visitors share new information with her which she in then able to include in future tours.
“Volunteering at Willesden Jewish Cemetery has allowed me to reconnect with my passion for history, meeting people from around the world, and play a part in preserving and sharing an important piece of Britain’s Jewish heritage.”
