Page 5 - The Land Trust Annual Review 2021

The Land Trust Annual Review 2021

Greenwich
Peninsula Ecology
Park continues to Chair’s Report
be an oasis of calm
in a busy urban
environment

When the Covid-19 pandemic took hold in the UK in March 2020 it was a
hugely uncertain time for the Land Trust. Following my appointment as Chair
of the organisation in December 2019 I did not expect to be facing such an
unprecedented situation during my first few months in the role.
Covid-19 threw many obstacles in the Land Trust’s path. The first, and immediate
priority, was considering how best to keep our sites open and safe for our
communities to use during this incredibly challenging time. However, as Chair of the
organisation, there were also a huge amount of other issues to consider.
Bill Hiscocks
How would the pandemic affect the long-term financial position of the Trust? How was
the transition to home working affecting the morale of our passionate and dedicated
staff team? With so much of our new business work conducted face to face with
clients how would it affect the transfer of new parks and green spaces to the Land
Trust’s portfolio?
Writing these words nearly two years later I am very proud of the way the Trust
overcame these significant obstacles to ensure that the organisation finished the year
in a stronger position than which we started and with a very bright future ahead of us.
One of the few positives to come out of the pandemic has been the new appreciation
people have for their local parks and green spaces.

We know that keeping our sites open, when many other organisations and local
authorities were closing theirs, was hugely valued by our communities. We understood
that this would put huge pressure on the sites as more people than ever before
flocked to our green spaces, but knew that it would have a hugely positive effect on
the physical and mental wellbeing of our communities.
We were delighted to welcome more than two million people to our parks and green
spaces over the last 12 months, the first time we have hit this significant milestone. It
was wonderful to see record numbers of people visiting our green spaces and being
able to use them for their daily exercise was hugely important.

Finally, my thanks go to the staff of the Land Trust for their continued hard work and
commitment to improving people’s lives. While we are growing as an organisation
I am constantly amazed at our ability to punch above our weight and maximise our
resources to deliver what we do. This is down to our wonderful staff team, who all care
passionately about the Trust’s mission to change people’s lives for the better.
I have been inspired by their ability to adapt to the significant challenges posed by
Covid-19 and the positive impact their efforts have had on millions of people across
the country.

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