Autumn is starting to take grip, despite the odd warm day, and a myriad of colours are starting to envelop the Heath.
The equinox, marking the change of seasons, and the lengthening nights will soon mean the clocks changing and a new chapter beginning.
A significant change here sees me step down this month after an unbelievable 11 and a half years at the helm of Heath Hands, serving for the last three as our first chief executive.
Having never written our column I thought it about time to share a few reflections.
Firstly, it’s been an absolute honour and privilege to have had the opportunity to lead our charity.
It was, and remains, a dream job.
I think Heath Hands is a truly remarkable organisation, operating at that sweet spot of bringing people together to connect with nature in different ways.
Whether it’s our practical work conserving the Heath’s habitats, bringing new groups and communities to get outdoors for the first time, getting young people learning about the natural world, or supporting those taking part in health and wellbeing sessions I’m proud with how the charity has evolved and grown and developed during my tenure.
All this wouldn’t have been possible without our amazing charity partners at the City of London and English Heritage, who manage the green spaces as charities for the benefit of all.
A massive final thank you goes to the staff and volunteers at Heath Hands, without whom I wouldn’t be in the privileged position to be able to write all of this.
As we pick up the pieces (literally) from the annual Conker Championships last weekend, the autumn school term gets properly going, and our Heath Friendly Schools are already out and about helping us look after our green spaces.
We’re pleased to be launching a new Hampstead Heath Eco Club, enabling young people to come together with like-minded nature enthusiasts on different outdoor activities.
This project has been made possible with the support of the Young Camden Foundation and the National Lottery Awards for All - for info and on all the ways young people can get involved check out www.heath-hands.org.uk/youth
We’re also delighted to have been selected for the Aviva Community Fund crowdfunder this autumn.
We’re raising money to expand our school work experience programmes and to give local young people the tools and knowledge to tackle that ever-growing issue of climate change.
It only leaves me to say a fond farewell to everybody connected with Heath Hands and Hampstead Heath.
I do hope you can help us start our next chapter and get the next generation of climate champions and Heath lovers involved by supporting our crowdfunder: heath-hands.org.uk
- Colin Houston is chief executive of Heath Hands.
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