Thursday Visitor Experience Volunteer Team, Christopher Allen, David Hooper, Jennifer Muwonge, and Yvonne Jackman

Thursday Visitor Experience Volunteer Team 

These volunteers are one of nine teams who welcome the public into the Cathedral and offer tours to visitors to help them learn more about the building and its history. This team regularly receive positive feedback from visitors who have had a fantastic experience thanks to the efforts and enthusiasm of the volunteers who have taken them on tours. The volunteers have an encyclopaedic knowledge of the building and bring it to life in an interesting and entertaining way. They hold visitors’ attention and deliver informative tours with a touch of humour. More experienced members of the team mentor new volunteers to ensure that the high standards in the team are maintained for the future. They support one another through additional training, ensuring that they all have as much knowledge as possible to pass on to the public. 

Christopher Allen 

Chris has been a volunteer at the Cathedral for many years and leads a team of Visitor Experience volunteers with care and a strong sense of humour. He has been instrumental in the development of training programmes for volunteers at the Cathedral, helping to write the courses in his spare time to ensure that Cathedral volunteers are well prepared to welcome visitors. Chris’ knowledge of the Cathedral is truly amazing, and he is always keen to learn more, especially if a member of the public poses a question that he cannot answer. At 81 years old, he travels hours to the Cathedral every week which further highlights his dedication and commitment. Chris is also a member of the Volunteer Council, helping to shape the volunteer offering at the Cathedral and advocating for the needs and concerns of his fellow volunteers.  

David Hooper 

David has volunteered as a Guide and a Team Leader at the Cathedral for over 30 years. He has also worked extensively with the Schools and Families teams over the years, helping to educate young people about the Cathedral and its history. He is a model for other volunteers at the Cathedral and has stayed committed in his support despite facing personal difficulties. David has helped and encouraged his fellow volunteers and has a wealth of knowledge about the Cathedral which he willingly shares with everyone. He has also helped to promote the activities at the Cathedral more widely through media interviews and interactions with the general public. David takes on any role that is presented to him at the Cathedral and has shared his own experiences as an evacuee in the Second World War to help bring life to the history of the building. 

Jennifer Muwonge 

Jennifer has volunteered at the Cathedral as an altar server for 40 years, assisting the clergy with public worship at services. She was one of the first diverse members of the altar server team, being a woman as well as a black person, and has paved the way for other diverse persons to join the altar servers. Jennifer represents the altar server team on the Volunteer Council, offering suggestions for improvement for the volunteer offering at the Cathedral and being the voice for any issues or concerns in her team. She attends every Council meeting and draws on her experiences as a volunteer throughout. Jennifer is a tower of strength and support to new volunteers, encouraging them to take part in additional training and giving them the confidence to succeed in their roles. Jennifer has overcome personal barriers and challenges throughout her time volunteering but has remained dedicated to the Cathedral throughout.  

Terry Richards 

Terry is a Volunteer Guide at the Cathedral, offering informative tours which are full of humour and entertainment for the public. He also undertakes Touch Tours, which provide visually impaired people with the opportunity to experience the Cathedral. Terry is always willing to give up his time to support his fellow volunteers through their training and participates in every aspect of Cathedral life. He has dressed up as historical characters such as Sir Christopher Wren to tell the story of the Cathedral and taken part in external media opportunities to promote the Cathedral to an even wider audience. Terry receives excellent feedback from visitors, particularly referencing his work with younger audiences, and is one of the most popular Guides at the Cathedral. He is well liked by staff and volunteers alike and is an invaluable member of the Cathedral team. 

Yvonne Jackman 

Yvonne has been a member of the Visitor Experience Volunteer Team for many years and stood in as Deputy Team leader when the previous volunteer stood down and recruitment was taking place for his replacement. Despite having some reservations, she rose to the challenge of the role and kept the team going seamlessly throughout this period of transition. She is highly regarded for her knowledge of the Cathedral and often gives talks to external groups on the subject of the Cathedral to help promote it to a wider community. Yvonne leads on a range of tours and has also been instrumental in introducing new topics for tours at the Cathedral, increasing the offer available to visitors. She has also supported new volunteers and is unfailingly pleasant, calm and professional in her manner to everyone she encounters.