Volunteer in schools: RTPI Ambassadors
You could be an RTPI Ambassador!
Volunteering to bring planning alive for young people is a great way to 'give back' to the profession, as well as helping to secure the future of planning. Volunteering can also help you practise your communication skills, and is an interesting way to make links to community engagement and public consultations you've undertaking in your workplace.
Here, we want to help equip Member volunteers (‘Ambassadors’) with accessible materials and resources to facilitate engagement with schools and, crucially, reach young people from groups underrepresented in the profession.
Ambassadors are RTPI members who help to raise awareness of town planning, and champion what a great career it is.
They are volunteers who might:
- help promote the profession at university careers fairs or school assemblies.
- help write a case study which is turned into a lesson plan or skills workshop.
- help broker a work experience 'insight day' for a student or class at your place of work.
Could you volunteer to bring planning into the classroom?
If you are an RTPI member and would like to represent the profession, are willing to adapt and relate planning to interesting and everyday issues, and are confident to talk engagingly about your job to young people, then you may find being an RTPI Ambassador rewarding.
Depending on your personal development plan objectives, volunteering as an Ambassador could also count as CPD.
Existing or new Ambassador?
All new Ambassadors are asked to sign up using the form available on our volunteering page and tick 'Careers outreach - RTPI Ambassadors'.
In addition, we’re excited to be partnering with Education and Employers to connect schools with professionals and bring careers to life for young people. All RTPI Ambassadors – new and existing – are invited to join the Inspiring the Future platform to be matched with schools nationwide. By signing up, Ambassadors will benefit from:
• Access to thousands of schools across the country actively seeking volunteers
• Full support to get ready for sessions
• Easy-to-manage invitations - accept or decline with just a click
• Digital badges recognising their contribution
• The opportunity to share your career story and inspire the next generation of planners
Additionally, if you are undertaking engagement activities in schools to promote planning as a career, we'd also ask that you register the event or report on the outcome via this online form. Please also view our advice and policies prior to the event as part of the expectations of the Code of Professional Conduct.
If you have any questions about RTPI Ambassadors please contact us at: ambassadors@rtpi.org.uk
This webinar discussion is suitable for both existing Ambassadors or those considering volunteering. The aim is to raise your awareness, understanding, skills, and confidence to undertake this valuable way of engaging future planners.
