Supporter groups in the Peak District and Derbyshire

Two children walking down the stone steps outside the south front at Kedleston Hall, Derbyshire. — Children outside the south front at Kedleston Hall | © National Trust Images/Arnhel de Serra

Interested in making the most of the National Trust membership near you in Derbyshire and the Peak District? It's a great way to meet people and to enjoy special talks, visits, holidays and other social and fundraising events or hands-on conservation activities. There are six different groups you could join. Read on to find your nearest group or click on a Supporter Group’s name in the menu to jump to their details.

Why join a supporter group?

Getting together with other National Trust enthusiasts, members and volunteers who feel passionate about the same things is priceless. Sharing unique experiences and finding out more about the places you care about is what being part of a local National Trust supporter group is all about.

From listening to expert talks and going on behind-the-scenes tours to taking relaxing holidays or restoring natural habitats in the great outdoors, you’ll be part of something amazing. Supporter groups promote and assist the National Trust’s work within their local area and raise money for conservation and development projects through all kinds of events.

Derby & District Members’ Group

The Derby & District Member’s Group provides social activities while supporting places such as Kedleston Hall, Calke Abbey, Ilam and the White Peak. For many years the group has donated around £3,000 a year to specific projects at these local places and to national appeals and projects.

The group is independent of the National Trust and operates under its own constitution. The affairs are managed by a group of officers and other committee members who are elected at the AGM held in March.

East Midlands National Trust Volunteers

The East Midlands NTV is a friendly and informal group who help staff with activities that vary from footpath construction to planting and coppicing. This group is for anyone who wants to work outdoors and help the National Trust working at Calke Abbey, Belton House and Kedleston Hall.

They usually have tasks for one or two Sundays a month for most of the year, starting at 10am and ending about 4pm, with regular breaks.

Mudlarks National Trust Volunteers

The Mudlarks NTV group is a voluntary association of National Trust members and volunteers in North Derbyshire, founded in 1990. It’s a friendly, mixed team of about 30 people of all ages working on outdoor conservation projects.

Peak District Centre

Founded in 1981, the Peak District Centre has around 150 members, who live in and around the National Park.

A varied programme of activities aim to support and promote the National Trust, with places that have been helped recently including Lyme Park (Library and Lyme Missal project), Hardwick Hall (sponsorship of two stonemason apprentices), Ilam Park (new visitor centre), Marsden Moor (footpath improvement), Eccles Pike (memorial) in the Dark Peak and the Longshaw Estate (training an assistant ranger).
The Peak District Centre’s activities include holidays and day trips by coach, regular talks and town and village guided walks for members.

2024 Talks:
Wed 21 Feb - Chinley talk on Peak District Geology
Tue 12 Mar - Ashford Talk on History of Masson Mill
Mon 15 April - Buxton Talk about "Surely not in Buxton"
Wed 15 May - Chinley Talk on Tree Regeneration
Tue 10 Sep - Ashford Talk on llam by Justine Johnstone
Mon 21 Oct - Talk on Air Ambulance Service

Coffee/tea at 10.30am. Talk at 11am.
Pay at door: Members £4, Guests welcome £5

2024 Visits and Holidays:
Thu 25 Apr - Visit Manchester's Imperial War Museum
Wed 22 May - Visit to Shugborough, Staffs
Thurs 27 Jun to Mon 1 Jul - Holiday to the Cotswolds
Wed 10 Jul - Trip to Lytham Hall and St Anns.
Wed 18 Sep - Visit Masson Mill & Cruise on Canal
Late Sep or Early Oct - Guided walk at Longshaw
Thu 10 Oct - Visit Clock Museum & Southwell Minster

For more information about any of the above events, including booking forms, please contact the group

Ranger at work cutting a log with a chainsaw in the White Peak Estate, Derbyshire — Ranger at work in the White Peak Estate | © National Trust Images/John Millar

Sheffield Association

Founded in 1972, the Sheffield Association has around 300 National Trust members, with many of them living in Sheffield and the surrounding area. Membership is open to members of the National Trust and affiliated organisations and to holders of a valid National Trust volunteer card.

They support and promote the National Trust and to make National Trust membership even more enjoyable by providing a varied programme of activities for their members.

National Trust places recently helped by the group include the Longshaw Estate (school transport to the Activity Centre), Woolsthorpe Manor (telescopes for the Science Discovery Centre and replica costumes for the children), the Yorkshire Dales and Nostell Priory.

South Derbyshire National Trust Volunteers

The South Derbyshire NTV Group is a sociable group of volunteers who help the National Trust with hands-on outdoor work in South Derbyshire. It is a friendly mixed teamwith a wide range of ages who enjoy achieving conservation objectives throughout the year.

The group works under the direction of National Trust rangers on projects including clearance of scrub, tree planting, control of invasive species, clearing ponds, improving paths and keeping them clear, painting of railings and anything else that comes under the title of 'conservation'.

They generally meet one Sunday every month, alternating between Ilam Country Park and Kedleston Hall between 10am and 4 pm with the rangers providing tasks, tooling, safety equipment and briefings.

Some of our members carry out additional work mid-week for one or two days per month.