Meet some RTPI volunteers

When did you first join the RTPI?

I first joined the RTPI as a student member during my studies at University of Liverpool, before becoming a licentiate member of the Institute in July 2021.

When did you first get actively involved as a volunteer and what was your first role?

I first became involved with RTPI Yorkshire in November 2023, as a contributor to the region’s Regional Activities Committee (RAC), following referral to vacant positions in the group being shared in an email circulation from the Institute.

I felt as though my recent experience as a student, and being able to express my viewpoints from the perspective of an emerging professional could be valuable for the region’s activity being able to support the full spectrum of members in Yorkshire.

How did you get started?

I had my ears pricked to the idea of volunteering after considering the initial email circulation about vacancies with the RTPI and based on the personal experiences of family members who have volunteered with other professional bodies in other sectors.

Having expressed my interest in volunteering, I was invited to attend meetings of the RAC, offering my input and ideas amongst discussions. I subsequently upped my involvement with the group by engaging more with event coordination and supporting the activities of sub-groups within the region, such as the International Core Group and Young Planners’ Steering Group.

Can you tell us more about your experience as a volunteer since then?

Having initially supported coordination of CPD events over teams, my involvement naturally transitioned more to assisting with a wider range of professional and social events, and has also led to me holding a more senior position on Yorkshire’s Regional Management Board as the Regional Secretary.

What have you gained by volunteering with the RTPI?

Volunteering has allowed me to develop a transferrable skillset and solid professional network during the early stages of my career, which I believe has had a positive knock-on effect into my private practice.

I have enjoyed being able to engage with other like-minded volunteers, and with a range of members and other professionals by attending events. The interpersonal and communication skills which I have forged during my voluntary contributions are things which I am now able to carry across into my day-to-day work and have thus increased my capabilities and confidence as a planner.

Building a vast professional and support network amongst like-minded individuals and other professionals across the built environment is something which I also believe volunteering has assisted with to no end. The relationships I have formed and advice which I have gained from these peers has been invaluable throughout and I believe has been paramount in my personal development.

What is the best thing about volunteering with the RTPI?

The confidence in knowing that I am supporting the development of the planning profession, both regionally and to an extent nationally and internationally, is something which I find very rewarding and a great source of pride.

Through volunteering, I feel as though I am making valuable contributions to bettering the offering of the RTPI to its members and affiliates, which I feel also reflects positively on myself in my professional practice. Further, the social aspect of working alongside a supportive network of peers, who themselves are clear in their aspirations to better the RTPI’s approach to activity and engagement, is really motivating and something which inspires me to keep contributing.

For anyone considering volunteering, what advice would you give them?

I think for an onlooker looking in, it may be perceived that volunteering is a demanding commitment with little reward – whereas my personal experience is the opposite.

The out of work time expenditure to volunteering is low, perhaps equating to a few hours every few months, and what I have got out of the experience, in terms of the relationships and networks which I have built, and the building of a competent, capable, and transferrable skillset, are invaluable and absolutely outweigh any ‘lost’ time.

 

When did you first join the RTPI?

I joined the RTPI whilst I was a student at Manchester University.

When did you first get actively involved as a volunteer?

I joined the north-west regional activity group (NW RAC) at the same time as I started working as a planner in my first job, in Manchester. I also started a north-west young planners group around the same time on discovering that the north-west young planners group had become inactive and no events had taken place recently.

Can you tell us more about your experience as a volunteer since then?

Having got the north-west young planners group active again, and meeting on a regular basis, I also helped to organise the National Young Planners Conferences in Liverpool and Manchester. I was also elected as the Young Planners Representative on the Board of Trustees, and was involved in the introduction of the APC process. I have long since stood down from the Young Planners Task Group but the group continues and it has grown and evolved and continues to provide a useful service to our young planners.

My other RTPI experiences in the north-west region have included being the Chair, the Honorary Secretary and the CPD task group lead. I have helped to organise numerous CPD events, helped with social events, supported RTPI Research, attended careers events, written articles for the newsletter and annual review and worked closely with the other northern regions to produce research and events.

On a national level I am an APC assessor, I am a member of the General Assembly, and I am on the Membership and Ethics Committee. I have also been on the Education and Lifelong Learning Committee, and served as a judge for the national awards.

What have you gained by volunteering with the RTPI?

I have:

• met a lot of people who I may not have met in my everyday job.
• learnt about areas of planning that I may not otherwise have had the opportunity to learn about.
• been able to see and share best practice from across the region and nations.
• Been able to shape the way the RTPI in the north west operates and supports our members.
• Been able to provide research on a key area of concern for our members in our LPA Resources Research.
• Supported people in learning more, meeting new people and finding out about planning.
• Opportunity to celebrate all that is good with planning.

What is the best thing about volunteering with the RTPI?

Meeting new people and having the opportunity to make friends with people.

For anyone considering volunteering, what advice would you give them?

Give it a go.

 

Find out more about volunteering in the North-West region here.

When did you first join the RTPI?  

I first joined the RTPI in 2015 as a student member. As a BSc City and Regional Planning student at Cardiff University, I was enrolled on the RTPI as a student member for free. Currently, I am a licentiate member of the RTPI, hoping to submit my L-APC in November 2022. 

When did you first get actively involved as a volunteer and what was your first role? 

I joined Young Planners Cymru in 2016 in the second year of my bachelor’s degree. As I am experienced in Abode Photoshop, I was given the role to support the marketing volunteers of the YPC. 

How did you get started? 

I went to one of the YPC’s meetings at the start of the year with a friend who was already on the committee.  

Can you tell us more about your experience as a volunteer since then? 

After joining the YPC, I was allowed to promote the young planners’ community in South Wales. I created posters for CPD networking and social events with input from other committee members. I was also allowed to host an online engagement event for YPC and the Welsh Government about the draft Nation Development Framework at the time. Sometimes I travelled to London on behalf of the YPC to meet other regional YP representatives and discuss collaborations, get updates from the RTPI and engage with official staff. 

Apart from the YPC, I also volunteered as a steward at the 2018 RTPI Wales Conference. On top of helping speakers and participants on the day to navigate around the conference, it is also a great way to network with those who are already in the industry, and above all, free attendance to topical lectures.  

When I moved to London for my master’s degree, I resigned from my roles in Wales to join the young planners’ committee in London. We planned multiple social and CPD events like our Welsh counterpart, yet Young Planners London is known for hosting a summer party annually. Unknowingly, the 2019 party and a post-conference social would be one of our last physical networking events for a while.  

On the eve of the first lockdown, the YP London committee even met to start drafting a bid for the Young Planners’ Conference. However, as the world ground to a halt, we started thinking outside of the box to provide CPD and networking opportunities for planners in London and beyond. With the idea of creating a podcast from the perspective of young planners, I produced, directed, and edited the “Young Planner’s Guide to” podcast during the height of the coronavirus pandemic. One of my proudest moments in relation to volunteering for the RTPI was having my podcast recognised by the Planners’ magazine.  

What have you gained by volunteering with the RTPI? 

I think by volunteering with the RTPI, I gained confidence in my knowledge as a planner and that my view is as valued as those who have been in the industry longer than I have. It opened new pathways for me and broadened my horizon. 

What is the best thing about volunteering with the RTPI? 

The best thing about volunteering with the RTPI is meeting like-minded people. I met my L-APC mentor from the Young Planners London committee, and we are great friends. 

For anyone considering volunteering, what advice would you give them? 

I think they should be prepared for inevitable ups and downs, like in any other role or job. If you are anxious about joining your local young planner’s committee, consider taking a leaf from my book and go with a friend or colleague as your buddy. 

When did you first join the RTPI?

2016

When did you first get actively involved as a volunteer?

2017

How did you get started, what was your first role?

My first volunteering role with the RTPI was as a student member of the Regional Activities Committee (RAC) as a way to make connections within the region early in my career and beyond my initial specialism of Minerals and Waste Planning.

Can you tell us more about your experience as a volunteer since then?

Since then, I have continued to be a member of the RAC for the East of England throughout my Masters study as a student member and moving through to licentiate. I was a member of the judging panel for the Regional Awards in 2018 and have delivered many careers presentations to our local Planning Schools, higher education/colleges and secondary schools. I became chair of the East of England Young Planners in November 2019 and established the Young Planners Committee in March 2020 (the only good news story from that month!). Through this, I am now also a member of the East of England RMB and regularly attend the Regions and Nations Young Planners Chairs meetings. There are now 9 members on the East of England Young Planners Committee, and we are continuing to grow our network through delivering CPD, socials events and our monthly #PlanPals virtual networking event and hope to host some in person events in 2022.

I was also a member of the committee who hosted the first virtual RTPI Young Planners Conference in 2020. I chaired one of the breakout sessions, exploring how planning committees had adapted to being virtual and the continuing development of digital planning.

What have you gained by volunteering with the RTPI?

I have gained so many connections through volunteering at the RTPI, within my region and beyond, some of which I would now consider to be friends. My knowledge of planning continues to strengthen and broaden through the wide variety of events I am able to be involved in. My confidence has grown so much through volunteering, which has certainly translated into my day to day work and I have been able to develop a number of personal skills such as public speaking, leadership and management.

What is the best thing about volunteering with the RTPI?

Being able to make a contribution to our profession by inspiring the next generation of planners.

For anyone considering volunteering, what advice would you give them?

DO IT! You only ever regret the things you don’t do. There are so many ways to volunteer with the RTPI, there is bound to be one avenue that takes your interest.

Find out more about volunteering in the East of England here.

When did you first join the RTPI?

I first joined the RTPI I 2004 while still living in Nigeria as an International Associate via my membership of Nigerian Institute of Town Planners

When did you first get actively involved as a volunteer and what was your first role?

My first volunteer experience with Planning Aid London in 2006. I got involved in the planning of workshop delivery for ‘A Strong City’ Conference.

How did you get started?

I started by contacting the RTPI when I moved to UK. I reasoned that volunteering would be a good way to stay connected with the institute and contribute my services towards the advancement of the planning profession. I’d equally gain up to date knowledge and skills to progress my career.

Can you tell us more about your experience as a volunteer since then?

I went through a period of lapse in volunteer activities. I recently put myself forward to volunteer and it has been a pleasant experience thus far.

What have you gained by volunteering with the RTPI?

I am growing my network of professional colleagues with diverse professional backgrounds in planning. I am also kept up to date with issues and developments in the planning world.

What is the best thing about volunteering with the RTPI?

Having a sense of purpose and satisfaction that I am contributing to the advancement of the profession in my own little way.

For anyone considering volunteering, what advice would you give them?

Go for it! There is a lot more to gain and you will gain a lot working and interacting with professional colleagues with a wide range of experiences.

When did you first join the RTPI?

As a student in 1983

When did you first get actively involved as a volunteer?

Probably 1990’s with North East of Scotland local committee

How did you get started, what was your first role?

Rep for Banff & Buchan Council Planning on committee to identify CPD site visits

Can you tell us more about your experience as a volunteer since then?

Main volunteering journey started in 2014 when I thought I needed to put something in and also wanted to understand where the planning profession was at. Spotted the opportunity to volunteer for the Accreditation panel or Partnership Board and submitted an application. Was appointed to the Queens University Belfast Board as Vice Chair starting in 2015 and then became chair in 2019 and 2020.  As part of this I was also a member of the Partnership and Accreditation Panel and became Vice Chair in 2021.

Applied to join the Volunteer advisory group in 2021 as I wanted to help open up opportunities.

What have you gained by volunteering with the RTPI?

- A greater understanding of how Planners are being trained now

- New connections

- An understanding that there needs to be a wider understanding of the different legislation and planning procedures in the devolved nations and Ireland.

- That opportunities need to be widened and that a lot of Planners are still invisible.

What is the best thing about volunteering with the RTPI?

Reassurance that my skill set is still up to date and has value

For anyone considering volunteering, what advice would you give them?

Just give it a go. You’ll get more out than you ever put in.

Find out more about volunteering in Scotland here.

When did you first join the RTPI?

Not sure…it must have been whilst I was a student back in (around) 2008.

When did you first get actively involved as a volunteer?

Around 2013, whilst working for Camden Council (London)

How did you get started, what was your first role?

I was working in Enforcement at the time, but was keen to join a Policy team, so I volunteered with Planning Aid, supporting the Dartmouth Park neighbourhood forum – mainly taking/writing up meeting minutes. I’d not been chartered yet at that point.

Can you tell us more about your experience as a volunteer since then?

In 2018, I relocated to the North West and have been on RTPI NW RAC ever since, becoming Treasurer in 2020. I’m also part of the NW ‘Planning Aid’ task group. Through volunteering I have organised/chaired the following events:

• ‘Smarter LPAS’ – an in-person event held in Macclesfield and showcased award-winning work by LPAs.
• a joint webinar with the Town and Country Planning Association, showcasing their ‘Raynsford Review’ report for Planning Aid.
• Planning Aid training event discussing the ‘Future of Consultation’.
• ran a workshop hosted by Stockport Council, to help discuss their draft local plan with residents.

As Treasurer, my main role is to prepare RTPI NW’s annual business plan. I’m good with Ms Excel, so I thought this was an area I could be of particular use.

What have you gained by volunteering with the RTPI?

My presenting skills have (probably) improved. I’ve also got to know some great people.

What is the best thing about volunteering with the RTPI?

Getting to know my colleagues at RTPI NW really helped me settle in following my move across the country. It’s also enabled me to put some great stuff down on my CV. Taking the minutes for Dartmouth Park back in 2013 didn’t take up much time for example, but the experience was pivotal in be gaining my first job in policy – an area of planning I still enjoy working in.   

For anyone considering volunteering, what advice would you give them?

Give it a go. Volunteering is a ‘safe space’ to come out of your comfort zone and try some new things/tasks. You never know where it might take you.

Find out more about the North West Region and volunteering opportunities here.

When did you first join the RTPI?

 

I joined as a student member when completing my masters in 2009. In 2010 I became a Licentiate and in 2013 I became chartered.

 

When did you first get actively involved as a volunteer?

 

When I was studying for my masters, to build up my practical planning experience and meet other planners in the profession.

 

How did you get started, what was your first role?

 

Volunteering for Planning Aid West Midlands in Shropshire helping the local authority to undertake community and stakeholder engagement for a series of community plans that began their neighbourhood planning journey.

 

Can you tell us more about your experience as a volunteer since then?

 

I have had lots of great experiences since then at both a regional and national level. For the last two years I have been involved in RTPI Committees’ - in 2020 the International Committee and in 2021 the Education and Lifelong Learning Committee.  

 

What have you gained by volunteering with the RTPI?

 

New knowledge and skills as well as new connections and an expanded professional network. It has also been good fun and a chance to get a different perspective beyond the day job.

  

What is the best thing about volunteering with the RTPI?

 

The chance to see and better understand different areas of planning, particularly useful if you are starting out in the planning profession.

 

For anyone considering volunteering, what advice would you give them?

 

Reach out and get ideas on opportunities and then put your hand up and get involved!

 

Find out more about volunteering in London here.

When did you first join the RTPI?

1982 achieved Chartered Status

When did you first get actively involved as a volunteer?

Early 1990’s

How did you get started, what was your first role?

Sitting on the South West Branch, as it was termed then.

Can you tell us more about your experience as a volunteer since then?

I came off that committee in the late 90’s as work pressures intruded. Rejoined the SW Regions RAC in about 2004, and was instrumental in my company joining the partner program and also sponsored the SW planning achievement award and the annual dinner. Was appointed to a National committee, Lifelong learning and education in around 2011, serving three years from memory, with spells on Membership and Ethics, and now the International committee. Served as an APC assessor since 2008.

What have you gained by volunteering with the RTPI?

A wide circle of professional contacts, recognition of issues that would not have necessarily been part of my work experience. A keen and continued interest in the Institute’s education initiatives, and ensuring that in my professional practice we aligned our training program with the best in class.

Enjoyed being a long time judge, some 15 years on the SW region planning achievement awards.

What is the best thing about volunteering with the RTPI?

Meeting fellow professionals, building network of contacts, attending social events. Staying in touch with latest issues both nationally and regionally.

For anyone considering volunteering, what advice would you give them?

Go into it with an open mind, and a willingness to participate.

 

Find out more about the South West region and what you can get involved in here.

When did you first join the RTPI?

2006 as a student

When did you first get actively involved as a volunteer?

2006

How did you get started, what was your first role?

After some initial training with Planning Aid England, I supported in a number of “are you fit for neighbourhood planning” events

Can you tell us more about your experience as a volunteer since then?

A lot of the community based casework has been assisting with neighbourhood plans but I have also prepared a letter of objection to a Local Plan consultation, commented on a Village Design SPD and answered queries via the email advice line. I have also sat on the conduct and discipline panel and membership assessment advisory panel and am a member of the North West Task Group which coordinates volunteer activity in the North West.

What have you gained by volunteering with the RTPI?

A different perspective – working in the profession, vulnerable people can be adversarial, and it can be difficult to get to the bottom of their concerns. Aa an impartial volunteer people trust you and are open and honest about their intentions so it is easier to educate about the role of planning without appearing condescending. When people are upfront about their concerns you gain a deeper understanding about how planning really affects people....and its not always what you would expect.

What is the best thing about volunteering with the RTPI?

The freebies in terms of training events and CPD and bragging rights on your CV. Jokes aside, things change in planning so much its a safe environment to plug knowledge gaps and ensure you remain up-to-date on current issues.

For anyone considering volunteering, what advice would you give them?

1. Remember you are meant to be impartial
2. Be honest about the time you have available
3. Don’t over commit yourself
4. Be selfish and pick things you enjoy or want to learn about – if you aren't interested it will show and there will be another volunteer who will want to do it.
5. Read the RTPI Code of Conduct
6. Treat the customer as a client

 

Find out more about Volunteering with Planning Aid England here.

When did you first join the RTPI? June 2016

When did you first get actively involved as a volunteer and what was your first role?

My first volunteer experience was in the summer of 2017 when I attended a workshop to assist community groups from across Greater Manchester with an interest in the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework (since rebranded as Places for Everyone) and Neighbourhood Planning. My role was largely to chair roundtable discussions, explain the parameters of the GMSF and Neighbourhood Planning, and record details of key issues or considerations raised by community groups.

How did you get started?

I registered as a PAE volunteer (I don’t recall how I first came across PAE) and received an email seeking volunteers for the event. The event was organised by the North West Planning Aid England Task Group, led by Julian Jackson.

Can you tell us more about your experience as a volunteer since then?

Following my involvement in the community engagement event in Manchester, I was invited to join the NW PAE Task Group. Five years on, I now chair the group. We continue to support community groups and charities across the North West. Recent examples include community engagement workshops relating to emerging Local Plans in Blackburn and Darwen, Stockport, and Wirral. We are supporting several neighbourhood planning groups across the region, focussing on those in particularly deprived areas. We also provide bespoke project assistance, including project managing the planning for a food sustainability hub, café, and training kitchen for a food charity in Knowsley, and a not-for-profit café run by the Merseyside Domestic Violence Service in Liverpool’s Chinatown.

Outside of Planning Aid, I also volunteer as a member of the RTPI Regional Activities Committee, and I am a member of the Voluntary Advisory Board.

Beyond the RTPI, I volunteer as Planning Director for the Baltic Triangle Area Community Interest Company in Liverpool. My role with the ‘area company’ includes advocating on behalf of the Baltic Triangle Area’s stakeholders – its tenants, residents, and customers. This involves working with Liverpool City Council, the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, and central government on everything from infrastructure improvements and the new train station, to creating opportunities for people to meet, collaborate, and grow.

What have you gained by volunteering with the RTPI?

I have met some great and inspirational people. Volunteering has opened up many opportunities for both professional and personal development. As anyone who works in the planning industry will know, town planning touches all areas of society and it’s unlikely anyone will work across all areas of planning during their career. Volunteering allows planners to experience parts of the industry they may not otherwise have the opportunity to get involved with. Amongst all the other benefits of volunteering, it allows us to become more well-rounded, and hopefully, better town planners.

What is the best thing about volunteering with the RTPI?

The opportunity to contribute to something important – it could be at the micro level, by helping with the volunteer advisory service, or at the macro level by joining a panel discussion on the RTPI strategy for combating the climate crisis. Whatever you do while volunteering with the RTPI, you also feel a sense of accomplishment and that your input has been valued. There has never been a time where I thought my time had been wasted.

For anyone considering volunteering, what advice would you give them?

Just do it. Say yes to every opportunity and work out the details later. You’ll be surprised by what you can achieve.