'I volunteered to escape my desk job - then I unearthed a 100-year-old path'

Whether he's installing handrails, restoring old stone pathways or clearing overgrown routes, John Campbell is helping to protect a network of historic paths that have connected communities across Leeds for generations.

The 32-year-old is one of a team of dedicated volunteers who support Leeds City Council's public rights of way team, helping to maintain the district's 865 kilometres of footpaths, bridleways and trails.

For John, volunteering initially offered a welcome break from his desk-based job and a chance to spend more time outdoors.

But it has also given him a deeper appreciation of the heritage hidden within the landscape.

He said: "In my current job it's quite sedentary and keeps me cooped up indoors, whereas I really enjoy being outdoors. Volunteering was a way of getting outside a bit more.

"I also do a lot of walking in the countryside and use many of these footpaths myself, so it felt like a way of giving something back. It was about contributing to something that I probably take for granted at times."

That sense of giving back took on a new meaning when John began learning more about the history of the routes he was helping to maintain.

One project saw volunteers uncover and restore a flagged pathway that had become hidden beneath vegetation and years of neglect.

"The stone flags had apparently been there for around 100 years," he said.

"Before volunteering, I don't think I'd really appreciated that some of these public rights of way have been around for so long.

"Realising that these routes have existed for longer than me, and longer than anyone in my family can remember, really puts things into perspective."

Leeds' public rights of way network forms part of the city's living heritage, linking communities, countryside and historic landscapes.

For volunteers like John, helping to preserve these routes means ensuring they remain accessible for future generations.

The role itself is varied, with volunteers carrying out everything from clearing vegetation and improving access to building steps and installing handrails.

"I'd never done things like installing steps, putting in a handrail or dead hedging before, so it was a chance to learn something new and have a bit of fun at the same time," he said.

"We usually meet in the morning, go through the day's plans and then head out to the site. Every task day is slightly different, which is one of the things I enjoy about it."

One project, however, stands out above the rest.

"The handrail project is definitely the one that stands out," John said.

The team installed a handrail on a particularly steep section of path, before returning later to carry out further improvements.

He said: "What made it memorable was the feedback we received from people who used the path. Hearing how much difference it had made was incredibly rewarding."

While the work can be physically demanding, John says the results make it all worthwhile.

"If we don't take the time to maintain these routes, they can quickly become overgrown and unusable," he said.

"People rely on them every day, whether they're using them to get from A to B or simply enjoying a regular walk. Once these routes are lost, it's very difficult to get them back."

Seeing the results of that work first-hand remains one of the most satisfying aspects of volunteering.

He said: "There aren't many things in life where you can physically point to something and say, 'I helped create that' or 'I helped improve that’.

"With this volunteering, you can see the impact of your work. It's a really rewarding feeling knowing that people are benefiting from something you've helped to maintain, both now and in the future."

As Leeds continues to celebrate the people helping to safeguard its heritage, John believes volunteering offers a simple but meaningful way to make a difference.

"I'd simply say: do it," he said.

"A lot of people spend their working lives behind a desk and volunteering is a great opportunity to get outside, give something back and do some honest, practical work.

"If you enjoy being outdoors and want to make a difference, it's definitely something I'd recommend."