Update on the Trust's changes to refresh the way it works

In our last news item (news item September 2025), we explained the changes that Abney Park Trust proposed to how we operate. These changes are to refresh the way that we work, to continue the legacy of over 30 years commitment to Abney by the charity (and the incredible trustees and volunteers who came before us) in protecting and promoting the appreciation of Abney as a resting place for 200,000 souls, and as a local nature reserve and site of importance for nature conservation. 

We wanted to know what people outside the Trust thought about these proposals and, through the news item, we sought comments (setting a deadline of 5th October 2025).  We have also worked transparently with Hackney Council officers on these proposals.

We received five sets of comments, four of which were supportive and one (from Abney Park User Group) which was not supportive. The trustees carefully considered these comments at the trustee board meeting on 8th October 2025 and decided to proceed with the proposed changes.

To recap, these changes will involve:

  • Publishing the Trust’s new business plan and seeking its endorsement at the Annual General Meeting on 27th November 2025 (start time 7.30pm, TBC);

  • Completing a refresh of the Trust’s website to provide better, more accessible information about Abney and Abney Park Trust; 

  • Developing a new model for events planning and delivery, seeking active volunteers to be part of our exciting 2026/27 programme;

  • Additional trustee recruitment with a focus on skills including grant and other funding, IT and ecology; 

  • Creating a limited, no fee corporate membership model for organisations that are aligned with the charitable objectives of Abney Park Trust, thereby increasing the connections that the Trust has with aligned organisations, including offering the Abney Park User Group a corporate membership;

  • Exploring a “Friends of” model for future fundraising following Hackney Council’s decision that, in the current economic climate, it cannot continue to offer a core grant to the Trust.

As anyone who has run a small charity knows, it isn’t an easy thing to do. According to a report by the Centre for Social Justice, nearly 5,000 small charities close each year. We know that we cannot please everyone all the time. But as trustees, we can commit to doing everything that we can, each year, to ensure that Abney Park Trust is not one of those 5,000, and will be around for the next 30 years, bringing Abney to life so together we can benefit and learn from its unique wildlife, biodiversity and rich cultural heritage.

We would like to thank everyone who has supported the Trust over the years, and more recently, and look forward to working together to protect and promote Abney.

As noted above the Trust’s AGM will be on Thursday 27th November 2025 in the Harriet Delph Room.

Adminstrator