Newington Green Meeting House, founded in 1708, has been a home for radical ideas down the years, with strong connections to dissenters, feminism and civil rights. 

Now a “non-religious church”, the meeting house has received National Lottery funding to restore its Grade II listed building and better tell its story. A group of 67 volunteers, many working remotely, play a central role in this.

"The pandemic turned everything upside down, but our volunteers kept us in touch with the community throughout and helped us reach even more people.”

Volunteer Manager Cheryl-lya Broadfoot

People with design skills have created posters and digital graphics, whilst others write blogs for the website and post on social media. More still perform the valuable task of keeping the website up-to-date and accurate.

Students provide computer support classes to community members who experience digital exclusion. Beyond the wide benefits this has, it is helping them access project activities.

These activities include online local history sessions, where once again volunteers have come to the fore. Their role as digital producers includes setting up and managing events and answering questions in the chat function.

Volunteer Manager Cheryl-lya Broadfoot said: “Our Digital Support Volunteers not only stepped up to the mark, they went above and beyond in every aspect. The pandemic turned everything upside down, but our volunteers kept us in touch with the community throughout and helped us reach even more people.”