Volunteering in the Peak District

Two volunteers walking side by side with a group of walkers behind them. — Volunteers in the Peak District taking part in a guided walk | © National Trust/ Paul Harris

There are so many ways to get involved as a volunteer across the Peak District – whether you’re looking to get hands on and stuck into conservation tasks, help behind the scenes, or welcome and inspire visitors to our places. Volunteers are an important part of the team in the Peak District, helping to care for this special landscape for the benefit of nature and people.

Why join us?

There are lots of great reasons to volunteer with us. Here are just a few:

Become part of a friendly, sociable and dedicated team
Meet people from all walks of life and forge new friendships
Use your existing skills and learn new ones
Enjoy the great outdoors – the Peak District is an amazing place to call your ‘office’
Learn about the history of each of our places and what makes them special
Play your part in looking after the environment and tackling the climate crisis
Help our visitors build deeper connections to the Peak District landscape.

Who can volunteer?

There is no such thing as a ‘typical volunteer’ in the Peak District, with a wide range of roles available depending on interest, experience and availability. Some of our volunteering roles may be more suited to people with an interest in the outdoors, but we also have behind the scenes roles as well as indoor opportunities - everyone is welcome.

Where can you volunteer in the Peak District?

The National Trust cares for 13% of the Peak District, including some of the most beautiful and iconic places in the area such as Kinder Scout, Mam Tor and Dovedale. There are opportunities to get involved right across the Peak District - in the High Peak, White Peak, and at the Longshaw Estate. We always try to find ways to involve people as locally as possible to where they live.

A photo of a volunteer dressed in a hooded coat and wearing gloves looking at a sphagnum moss plug with volunteers working in the background — A volunteer working on the moors in the Peak District | © ©National Trust Images/Paul Harris

Benefits of volunteering

In return for your support, we offer reasonable out-of-pocket travel expenses for each time you're on duty. We’ll give you all the training, support and equipment you need to carry out your role safely and confidently. We’ll help you get to know the place you’re volunteering and the wider team you’ll be working with. You’ll also meet like-minded people and have the chance to play a part in caring for this special place.

Get in touch about volunteering in the Peak District

To find out more about how you can become a part of the volunteering team, contact the Volunteering & Community team by emailing peakdistrictvolunteers@nationaltrust.org.uk