Why volunteering with Zero Carbon Harrogate has been a rewarding and enriching experience

By Harriet Forster  

I joined Zero Carbon Harrogate as a volunteer in summer 2024, and the experience has introduced me to organisations and events I otherwise wouldn’t have known about! I found a community of like-minded people in Harrogate, all united in caring for the climate.

Zero Carbon Harrogate works with local networks and businesses to develop green strategies and keep climate issues on the agenda, so it’s a great place to learn more about what is already happening locally. I found out so many inspiring things are going on in the local community and it's made me feel really hopeful!  

Harriet and Piers Forster

From the get go, I made it clear I would love to learn more about local planning and ZCH listened; they made sure I was invited to suitable meetings and kept up to date on various things to be aware of. I have personally enjoyed attending the Harrogate Town Planning Forum meetings with Zero Carbon Harrogate because it’s been an opportunity to learn about the interests of the community and understand what policies are at play that can affect the everyday running of the town and people's lives. I have found it inspiring to join in with discussions about what we want to see happen in the town and ask questions about our priorities and how that fits in with a green agenda. It’s uplifting to see different factions come together under a united cause and discuss planning options that would maintain respect for the environment.  

In particular I learned about town planning and essentially how local government works and very quickly became excited about the opportunity to make change by voicing the passions and the interests on behalf of ZCH; it’s empowering to be part of a community where you see action being put in place and feel like you can make a real difference. 

For a little bit on my background, I came to ZCH after graduating with an art degree and moving back home to Harrogate after living in Scotland for three years. I have been passionate about the environment for a long time and volunteering has been a great way to feel like practical change is not only possible but that I could be involved in it – this has been such a valuable learning experience for me. 

If you’re considering volunteering, I’d encourage you to get involved in whatever way you can. ZCH made it very flexible for me and the volunteer options are catered to the individual, which I have really appreciated. It is a chance to explore your own interests and curiosities and develop yourself.

Before coming to ZCH I was curious about environmental organisations and how impactful they are, wondering what ‘the inside’ is like and now I know more and can see how valuable organisations with volunteer set ups like ZCH are, in the way they connect different groups of society: politicians, teachers, businesses, builders,  architects, activists, scientists, you name it! Everyone is welcome under the 'Zero Carbon' umbrella.

At their AGM in the summer of 2024 and social gathering in winter, I got to see first-hand how people connect across their disciplines – which is a lovely thing to be a part of!  

It feels like a cohesive and expanding group of people who care about the environment and welcome challenging perspectives – a great model for climate action. We need more of it! So if you think volunteering could be for you, reach out to the charity; I’m sure you’re unique perspective would be very helpful.

Harriet and Piers Forster

Zero Carbon Harrogate is a local charity dedicated to reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable practices within the community. 

Fill in a volunteer form today and make a difference, because it's together that we can build a brighter, more sustainable future for Harrogate and beyond.