This is a reflective journal, but also an experiment. I’m interested in public perceptions of the National Trust. And one thing I know from recent research (and it sounds like a Truism) is that the National Trust is stuffy and closed. We welcome visitors to our beautiful places, yes, but we don’t let people in on the work we do behind the scenes. People don’t feel very close to us, even though they acknowledge we do a very important thing.
I hope that, in a small way, I can open a door onto the inside of the National Trust, show people what my work involves, and how it touches the work of others both within and outside the organisation. I want to try and be as open as I can. But I am aware that this new job of mine puts me in a position where I will have access to much that is sensitive and so confidential: maybe we are being offered a new acquisition, for example, in lieu of death duties or for purchase. To write about such delicate negotiations here could breach the confidence of private individuals and other organisations, and risk obstructing the National Trust’s mission to “look after beautiful places for ever, for everyone” so I will have to be circumspect.
But I will share what I can, and be open to suggestions about what else I might share. If you’d like to discover a bit more information about something I mention in passing, leave a comment and I’ll endeavor to satisfy your curiosity.
Oh, and here’s a disclaimer:
The views expressed in this weblog are personal and may not necessarily reflect those of The National Trust unless explicitly stated otherwise.
