Volunteer Trustee

What will you be doing?

CPRE The Countryside Charity is an influential and highly respected charity in the environment and countryside sector punching well above its weight. Our work is really growing as we fight to protect the countryside and green space for all. We partner with the Green Alliance and The Planning Coalition and are the "go to" at central and local government level on countryside issues.  We would like to appoint 2 more trustees for our team covering Lancashire, Liverpool City Region & Greater Manchester.  Every trustee is "hands on" doing our core work on rural issues such as affordable homes, transport, renewable energy, farming and on the protection of the countryside, green belt and green space from inappropriate development. We want greater access to green space for all, so inclusion and diversity is high on our agenda. We also cover a breadth of broadly environmental campaigning including on the climate and biodiversity crises, pollution including light pollution (dark skies) and cessation of peat extraction. You do not need to be knowledgeable about environmental issues but must be enthusiastic and committed to our work. If you grew up on a farm, or live or work in the countryside or a rural area you may bring lived experience and we want to hear from you. If you live in the suburbs or in a city but care about the countryside and nature we want to hear from you!  Could you write articles for our spring and autumn newsletters? Would you like to organise events? Does posting for us on social media or managing our website appeal? Every trustee has their own role or just helps out generally. Training and learning opportunities are available. It is essential that you can work comfortably online as we all WFH. Ideally you will be between 30 and 50 years of age but we welcome older and younger people. Applications are particularly welcome from people of colour, the LGBTQ  community and the less able bodied as we wish to increase the diversity of our Board.  Much of our work is in conjunction with national CPRE based in London. You will have the opportunity to work with our national colleagues and to attend events in London (travel expenses reimbursed)..  

What are we looking for?

We want 2 new trustees to join our Board of 5 trustees. You'll work from home and as a wider member of our team which also includes our professional town and country planning Manager and his team of planning volunteers.  We need you to be reliable, enthusiastic about our mission and our work, a team player and a good written and oral communicator. You should be collaborative and tactful. You will need to commit to the work of a trustee and to contribute.  Meetings are online and monthly ( 2 to 2hrs 30 mins hours) except for May, August and December. You would also be expected to spend 2 to 3 hours a week on our work (although the summer is quieter) and would probably develop your own specialism, field of interest or manage tasks like organising an event or helping to produce our spring and autumn newsletters.  Ideally you will be between 30 and 50 years of age but we welcome older and younger people. Applications are particularly welcome from people of colour, the LGBTQ+  community and the less able bodied.   Much of our work is in conjunction with national CPRE based in London . You will have the opportunity to work with our national colleagues and to attend events in London.

What difference will you make?

We are faced with unprecedented levels of bad development in the countryside, on green fields, in green belt and in urban parks. People need access to green space for their mental and physical heath and wellbeing. Our paid planning manager and his team of volunteers oppose bad development and campaigns for brownfield development and many more truly affordable homes, particularly in rural areas. The climate and biodiversity crises are also at the core of our work; there is no "Planet B". Pollution is also an issue in our rivers and streams and our wildlife is struggling. During the last 3 years our trustees and the team have created new hedgerows in the north west, led the creation of the GM Ringway, a wonderful, circular 300 km walking route through Greater Manchester that is fully accessible by public transport, is currently developing the equivalent for Liverpool City Region and has introduced local people to the joys of dark skies and star gazing. These projects are meaningful and positive. It could be you doing this important work! We need you to share that work and the passion. You could make a real difference  In joining us you would share our work and provide another "voice" and perspective to meetings generally. You would make a difference to the public, who seek our help fighting inappropriate development like housing estates on green belt land with no affordable homes that are car dependent. Our members and supporters need a good Board to lead and inspire . Your contribution could have significant impact at a very exciting and challenging time.