Juliet, Tour Guide Volunteer

I became a volunteer on the “House of Life“ project back in Spring 2019. I have always had an interest in history, and it was great for me to be involved in a project that combined history with a Jewish connection.

I have been involved in doing research on quite a few of our ‘residents’, both for the exhibition we put on at Willesden Green Library in 2019 and for the tours that we now run. I have really enjoyed doing this research and bringing so many people’s stories to life and taking the tours. I have been involved in extensive training with the project - both on tour guiding with the excellent Rachel Kolsky and oral history recordingi. I have also enjoyed being a front of house volunteer at our wonderful new visitor centre. Hester was a driving force for the project with her enthusiasm and knowledge and our volunteer co-ordinators, both past and present, have always been very helpful and supportive and I have felt it a privilege to be part of the project. I have enjoyed meeting and working with the other volunteers on the project.

I am a volunteer in other places and venues. I am a visitor assistant at both Apsley House and Sir John Soanes Museum. I also help cover the information desk at Somerset House and have taken film tours here in the past, as well as helping out at exhibitions there. I run the Trent Park Conservation Committee and am involved in a few local campaigns. I also help prepare kiddish once a month on Shabbat at my synagogue.

I am a keen walker and gym class attendee. I also love reading, the theatre and cooking. I have been married to Michael for 36 years and we have 2 children, David and Emma, who are now both married. We have an 8 month grandson, Max, and will hopefully have another grandchild soon.