'West Norwood Cemetery: A New Beginning’ is a National Heritage Lottery Fund project that seeks to conserve the Cemetery’s magnificent landscape and built structures, as well as offer new experiences and facilities to increase community use.
The project is now in its final stages and you may have been to many of the free events that have been run in the cemetery or joined a Friends of West Norwood Cemetery regular guided walk in recent years.
To showcase all the excellent work that is being completed, the cemetery is now launching a legacy volunteering programme with all kinds of opportunities to get involved - supported with a full training programme. Your level of commitment will be entirely up to you.
There are seven different areas to tempt you:
Visitor Centre Champions
Based at the Visitor Centre, this group will be dealing with enquiries from the general public about the cemetery, visitor centre and activities programme.
Gardening Gurus
Physical outdoor gardening jobs that require a hands-on approach to clear general debris and grow/maintain plant life.
Tour Tellers
Especially working with the Friends as they lead groups around the cemetery talking about its history and showcasing the fascinating stories of the notable people who are buried there.
Activities Ambassadors
Support activities hosted in and around the cemetery, from music recitals to poetry readings; always mindful of any operations being carried out by the Bereavement Services team.
Nature Guardians
Protect the cemetery wildlife and their habitats by collecting observational data and lead our nature trails to help raise awareness about how the public can help.
Researchers
Help visitors uncover and document the untold stories of those buried in the cemetery and trace back their family trees.
Cemetery Wardens
Help maintain the tranquil environment and protect the cemetery from mis-use by anti-social behaviour and encourage respect.
If any of these sound intriguing, please get in touch with Kim Hart, Activities and Community Engagement Officer: khart@lambeth.gov.uk to find out more!
