Why volunteer

Benefits of volunteering for Planning Aid England

Volunteering can give opportunities to gain experience and develop skills. Volunteering can:

• Count towards Continuing Professional Development
• Provide a useful 'reality check' by giving new perspectives on how the general public interact with the planning system
• Give insights into new areas of planning activity
• Broaden experience of how other local authorities and / or sectors operate
• Widen professional networks
• Provide valuable experience of community consultation and capacity-building
• Refresh interest and opens up new opportunities
• Give access to low-cost, relevant training
• Allow planners who have retired, taken a career break, or work outside mainstream planning to keep up-to-date with planning issues
• Give newly qualified planners opportunities to broaden their experience
• Develop 'people' skills
• Give something back to the wider community
• Help improve links between the general public and the planning system
• Be rewarding and enjoyable

There are benefits for employers too!

Want to know more?

See our How to apply page.