London Young Planner

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. 

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.