Dear John

I hope you’re safe and well. I’m sure your mind is full of uncertainties, ‘what ifs’ and thoughts on how to keep your family safe.

Looking out for each other has become ever more crucial in the past week and our thoughts turn to those friends, family and colleagues who are particularly vulnerable during the coronavirus outbreak.

At a time when many people can’t get out to enjoy the benefits our countryside brings, we’ll be joining forces with our colleagues in related charities to share the sights and sounds of our natural world online as much as possible.

As you know, part of our work at CPRE, the countryside charity, is to support thriving and connected rural communities and it’s great to see that many communities – both rural and urban – are banding together to support vulnerable people near them.

Initiatives such as the Covid-19 Mutual Aid Groups (find one near you here) – is a wonderful example, but there are many more.

I experienced this myself this week, when two of our elderly neighbours had to ‘self-isolate’ and the entire street responded to an appeal for support in an overwhelming show of community spirit.

The coronavirus outbreak also brings unprecedented challenges for organisations and the people who work for them, so we've been taking some time to consider how we make progress over the coming weeks and months.

We had been planning a number of exciting new campaigns to launch in the next couple of months to help tackle some of the biggest issues facing our countryside.

We are now reviewing our plans for these campaigns, considering the new situation we find ourselves in, and with everyone’s physical and mental wellbeing at the forefront of our minds.

CPRE staff will now be working from home for the foreseeable future, which, much as many of us enjoy the company of our families or flatmates, also serves as a reminder for why we are here in the first place – our passion for getting outdoors and enjoying the countryside.

So while we may all be adjusting to this new reality, some things, unfortunately, remain the same – the countryside is still not accessible to everyone, the health and wellbeing benefits of nature are not always appreciated, and the climate is still in crisis.

With this in mind, we intend to keep campaigning from our makeshift individual offices, collaborating online to explore new and creative ways to make an impact.

And, to ensure we are all connected, we’ll be coming to you with more chances to support valuable local campaigns that ensure the countryside is there for us in these times of need.

If you’re able to get out in nature, in a way that keeps you and others around you safe, take some time to appreciate the beautiful things we’re all working to protect.

If there’s one thing we can take from this, it’s that we are stronger when we come together.

We know you share our belief that a thriving and accessible countryside for all is paramount to people’s health and wellbeing.

I want to thank you for your ongoing support, it’s even more important at a time like this and really does make a difference.

Let’s all look out for each other and hold onto what is important to us in these challenging times.

With best wishes to you and your loved ones,

Crispin Truman

Chief Executive

CPRE The countryside charity