Mr Zahid Hamid

About me

I came to, what was then, a smoky Sheffield as a child in 1962. I had my first experience of the Peak District on a school trip five years later. I then studied and worked in the city, spending 20 plus years with the education authority working with young people, schools, colleges and communities. After spending a further seven years working directly for the voluntary and community sectors across the region, I have had the pleasure of working with national parks since 2006, especially in connecting urban communities who would not normally access these wonderful national assets.

Since university, I have always volunteered my time and knowledge with several organisations. I have extensive experience of governance and committee work with small local groups to public bodies, such as the Learning and Skills Council. I am a trustee of Roundabout, a youth homelessness charity in South Yorkshire, and I have links with both the universities in Sheffield and have worked with the Youth Hostels Association.

What the national park means to me

I am fortunate to live within just 3.5 miles of the national park boundary and I feel strongly that all parts of society should know about and experience (if only once) the awe, power, peace and beauty of this place.

I think we can do more to connect rural and urban communities, especially young people, so that there is a sense of the park belonging to everyone and everyone then caring for it for future generations.

I am committed to the reasons why we have national parks and the importance they have for the nation, whilst recognising that they are interactive and ever-changing places of beauty.

Having worked directly with the national park, I am aware of the challenges in meeting the needs of the many individuals who all view the Peak District as "part of their life". For me, this diversity of demand and the amazing ways in which the park fulfils so many roles is proof of why it's such a significant part of the UK.