Conservation volunteering officer volunteer roles

Opportunity to use your expertise and knowledge of the planning system, sound grasp of related procedures and a keen interest in the environment. At CPRE London you will help us protect and improve access to London'sgreen spaces.

As a Senior Planning Volunteer for CPRE  this offers an opportunity to use your investigative skills on planning applications which affect Londoners' access to green spaces and help us to influence positive, environmentally friendly outcomes. You’ll also have the opportunity to contribute to national consultations and policy development.

You are accountable to the CPRE London Operations Director.

Hybrid working with occasional attendance at meetings. Our team will provide you with training and support to develop in your role.

This role would suit anyone with an interest in and knowledge of the planning system and environmental issues. CPRE London is dedicated to greening the city, sharing countryside's beauty, tranquillity, and accessibility. Volunteer with us to aid London in becoming carbon-neutral by 2030, boosting biodiversity, and enhancing life for wildlife and residents.

What will you be doing: 

• Investigating planning applications with an impact on London’s green spaces
• Preparing and submitting responses to influence the outcome of planning applications and appeals
• Visiting the local planning offices and proposed development sites to look at plans and record details
• Liaising with parish and district councils and other conservation bodies
• Seeking to influence local and neighbourhood plans
• Building relationships with local organisations to influence their management plans
• Liaising with the planning team and policy committee at National CPRE to contribute to consultations and policy development
• Proactively investigating the planning designation of green spaces in your local area to find out whether there is scope to strengthen these in order to better protect these sites for future generations.

What are we looking for: Skills / Experience

• An eye for detail and an interest in investigative work
• Knowledge of planning and environmental issues is essential 
• Some previous experience in the planning sector would be beneficial in this role
• Good local knowledge of one of these London boroughs would be useful: Barking & Dagenham, Redbridge, Newham, Haringey, Enfield, Harrow, Hillingdon, Westminster, Kensington & Chelsea, Hammersmith & Fulham, Wandsworth, Lambeth, Hackney, Camden, Brent, Ealing, Hounslow, Merton, Sutton, Croydon, City of London, Lewisham, Greenwich, Bexley, Havering,
• A willingness to visit the local planning office and proposed development sites
• Able to carry out tasks independently and as part of a team
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Access to a computer and the internet at home and be comfortable using them

Benefits of the role:

• Use your skills and experience to contribute to the success of our charity and make a positive impact on London’s environment 
• Meet like-minded people and enjoy being part of a team
• Enhance your CV by developing new skills and gaining valuable experience
• We’ll support you to develop in your volunteering role and provide you with relevant training
• We’ll give you a reference for your future work or volunteering
• Get involved with social events and workshops on a local and national level, including the annual CPRE conference
• The opportunity to attend a volunteer induction day at CPRE’s national office in London or a regional centre
• We are happy to provide out-of-pocket travel expenses

Role description

The Open Spaces Society, Britain's oldest conservation body, needs additional trustees to broaden our reach.If you are keen to develop strategy and policy for creating, defending, and maintaining commons, greens, and paths, and to develop new approaches to make open spaces available to all, this role is for you. 

Trustees may be co-opted by the present board, but are expected to offer themselves for election by the membership at the first available opportunity.

Working collectively, trustees have three main responsibilities. These are to:

1 set a direction for the society,

2 ensure the society’s plans are carried out appropriately,

3 ensure the society meets its legal responsibilities.

The duties of a trustee are to:

4 ensure the society complies with its articles of association, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations,

5 ensure that the society pursues its objects as defined in its articles of association,

6 ensure that the society directs its resources exclusively towards its objects,

7 in association with the general secretary, ensure that the organisation is adequately staffed, and that the staff and volunteers have appropriate support and resources to pursue organisational goals,

8 contribute actively to the board’s role of developing strategy, setting overall policy, defining goals, setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets,

9 safeguard the reputation and values of the society,

10 ensure effective and efficient administration and financial stability, 1

1 appoint the general secretary and monitor her performance,

12 act in the best interests of the society at all times.

Person specification

• Commitment to the society’s mission

• Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities, and liabilities of trusteeship

• Willingness to devote the necessary time and effort

• Strategic vision

• Objective and insightful judgement

• Ability to work effectively as a member of a team

• Adherence to Nolan’s seven principles of public life (selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty, and leadership).

Position Overview

This is a dynamic and rewarding internship opportunity to play a hands-on role in shaping the voice and visual identity of SEED Madagascar. As part of a passionate and collaborative communications team, you will contribute directly to how our work is shared with global audiences—helping to tell powerful stories of community-led development and conservation in southeast Madagascar.

This role offers a unique blend of creativity and purpose. You will support social media management, develop engaging visual content, and curate impactful imagery that brings our programmes to life. It is ideally suited to a proactive and imaginative individual who is eager to build practical skills in communications while contributing to meaningful, real-world impact. Throughout the internship, you will gain valuable experience in digital storytelling, branding, and content strategy within an international development context.

Location: Remote – based anywhere in the world

Time zone: East Africa Time

Timeframe: 6 months extendable – flexible, guideline 1-2 days a week

Overview: Voluntary, unsalaried, flexible times to suit volunteer

About the organisation

SEED Madagascar is a British Charity working in partnership with communities in the southeast of Madagascar. We integrate high quality community health, livelihoods, education infrastructure and conservation programmes to support sustainable change and add to international best practice through research and publication across all of our programmatic areas.