Volunteer Stories

Every year, we are pleased to support young people with their studies and career goals through volunteer and placement opportunities.

About the volunteer planning role

For a century, we have safeguarded the Peak District and South Yorkshire countryside from unsuitable development. This essential part of daily operations involves our Planning Officer and a small team of dedicated volunteers who meticulously monitor planning applications throughout the region to ensure they promote the well-being of both people and planet.

Our planning volunteers help monitor the weekly planning lists in the Peak District and South Yorkshire, including areas such as Barnsley, Doncaster and Rotherham. Through an increased understanding of the planning policy and best practice, they monitor applications and identify any that might put the environment and our countryside at risk. They help draft letters for LPAs, liaise with councils and assist in preparation of responses, such as planning appeals.

Poppy, who studies Urban Planning at Sheffield Hallam University tells us more:

All our planning volunteers are given first-hand experience of what it means to protect the countryside, “Their (CPRE Peak District and South Yorkshire’s) vital role shapes the environment, with efforts complementing government agencies and enhancing the overall quality of life for people. Through this volunteering opportunity, I have been able to apply practical examples to my studies, allowing me to enrich my learning, adopt a more holistic approach and prepare for the future. This practical context has allowed me to bridge the gap with theoretical knowledge, enabling me to see how the two interplay.”

Part of the team

As a small team, volunteers at CPRE Peak District and South Yorkshire can make a real difference to our work; “I have a great mentor, Tony, who has supported me through the role and being part of the South Yorkshire team has given me a sense of purpose. I know that my efforts have helped influence the preservation and enhancement of the environment. Yet, it also extends beyond safeguarding open spaces, allowing me to meet like-minded people which carries a sense of belonging. I’d recommend to anyone wanting experience, or interested in the environment to join their local group.”

With over 40 CPRE branches across England, we provide our planning volunteers with a unique opportunity to attend monthly meetings and connect with other volunteers across the network. In addition to this, volunteers are eligible to apply for further training and courses to support their studies and career aspirations.

Poppy hopes to become a chartered planner, actively conserving and protecting our natural and historic environment, in an innovative and best practice manner. I want to lead projects and continue to develop my skills.

Internships at CPRE Peak District and South Yorkshire

MGeogSci Geography student at the University of Sheffield, Stepan, tells us about his internship experience;

“My work for the CPRE has involved creating an interactive web map for their centenary, displaying nearly 200 of the charity’s successes over the last hundred years. The goal of the map is to demonstrate the wide spatial extent of the CPRE Peak District and South Yorkshire’s work and to help residents connect with the charity’s efforts through places that they recognise and feel attached to.

I’ve gained experience with QGIS, a GIS programme I’ve not used previously. Additionally, as a university student, I generally have to apply my knowledge in scientific and research assignments, so I have enjoyed the experience of learning how to use my GIS skills in a non-academic, real-world context geared towards the general public.