We are a volunteer-led organisation originally formed as a Friends Group in 1989 to conserve and improve the 1836 Grade II* listed 13 acre General Cemetery in Sharrow Sheffield, and conserve it as a historical, natural and educational amenity for Sheffielders and visitors from further afield. The Cemetery is widely used by the local community as a place to visit, to cut through, to exercise in, walk the dog, meet up with friends, and learn about Sheffield's past leaders, industrialists, reformers etc. It is a valuable green space in the city with unique historical importance as well as being a haven for wildlife and a tranquil place for all to enjoy.
Our volunteers deliver regular guided and virtual history tours and talks to external organisations and individuals. We have themed nature tours (bats, birds, bugs tress etc) and our research volunteers respond to requests for information on the 87,000 people buried in the Cemetery. They also publish social history stories related to residents of the Cemetery. Our landscape and building volunteers are involved 2 days a week to maintain and improve the site, conserve our monuments and buildings whilst event volunteers assist with public and private events.
Whilst the Cemetery is owned and managed by Sheffield City Council, the Trust receives no revenue funding from the council and cannot draw down on the £3.7million National Lottery grant awarded to SCC for major structural works on the site to conserve the area for the next 100 years.
There are 6 main activities that enable Sheffield General Cemetery Trust to help keep the site open and safe for visitors
Landscape/Building: Along with our part time Landscape Conservation Supervisor there is a team of volunteers maintaining and improving the 13acre site so local people and visitors are able to use and enjoy the wonderful park. As they clear undergrowth from monuments and gravestones this enables another team of volunteers access.
Burial Research volunteers enable the history of the Cemetery to be discovered by their meticulous and thorough research on the Cemetery's residents. They also produce specific publications on specific aspects of the residents such as "Murder and Mishap" or "A Life Too Soon Done"
Tour volunteers bring the Cemetery to life with their knowledge, enthusiasm and ability to give a fascinating glimpse into the life's of people who are buried at the Cemetery. They also take the Cemetery Tour out to people who are unable to walk around the Cemetery in order that as many people as possible get hear the history and stories of many people who helped to shape Sheffield. There are also Wildlife Tours arranged for those local people who see the Cemetery as a haven for wildlife and plants
Events/Activity volunteers are needed to support varied activities/events that are held by the Sheffield General Cemetery Trust in order to fundraise as well as bring people to the Cemetery for different reasons, such as a Death Cafe, or a night of sounds from the Post Punk, new wave, synth era. Serving in our cafe area, stewarding and even litter picking after an event enables this events to continue and bring new people onto the site
Marketing/Social media plays an important part in keeping Sheffield General Cemetery in the fore front of people's minds as well as informing them of upcoming events and publications. Volunteers, along with our Marketing and Events Manager, will produce targeted campaigns and analyse data from both our website and social media accounts. With a new branding and website being launched soon, this area of involvement is vital to help with securing the future of the Cemetery
Management and behind the scenes involvement is often hidden but equally important as other roles. Submitting funding bids, ensuring health and safety, taking part in governance as a Trustee, overseeing safeguarding, producing accounts, managing finance may not be as glamourous as tour guiding or as mucky as landscaping but is just as necessary.
This is an ideal opportunity for a local person to get involved with a local heritage and conservation charity and to share their experience and...
