Autism Together’s role at Port Sunlight River Park is changing this year, as we welcome a new managing agent to oversee the day-to-day running of the site.
National charity The Conservation Volunteers (TCV) take over the supervision of the popular Wirral landmark, in partnership with the Land Trust.
Our organisation managed the site since it first opened to the public back in 2014, and we’re happy to say we will continue to work within the park, in partnership with TCV.
Autism Together will continue operating the Heritage Centre café and kiosk, while offering workplace opportunities on site for the autistic adults we support.
Port Sunlight River Park is a 70-acre former landfill site which was reclaimed and revitalised by landowners the Land Trust, alongside Autism Together, under a succession of dedicated park rangers and volunteers.
TCV now takes the reins and we look forward to working alongside them and Land Trust in future. TCV already manages multiple sites across England on behalf of the Land Trust. In the Merseyside and Cheshire areas, this has included Liverpool Festival Gardens from 2013 to 2018, and Countess of Chester Country Park since 2014.
TCV and Autism Together have previously worked together on projects at the River Park, such as creating a Lapwing enclosure. We look forward to being part of this next phase in the landmark’s development.
Angie Kemp, Autism Together Business Development Director, said:
“Autism Together is proud to have managed the River Park for the past eight years, helping oversee its transformation into the vibrant and beautiful leisure destination it is today.
“Over that time our rangers and volunteer teams helped create this vital habitat for wildlife, including rare wildflowers and plants, bees, butterflies, small mammals and a range of birds, winning a number of awards and opening the onsite Heritage Centre and café.
“We look forward to working closely with The Conservation Volunteers and the Land Trust, while continuing to support autistic adults and serve the community at the River Park in future.”
Fiona Richards, TCV Operations Director, said:
“TCV is delighted to be working with the Land Trust and Autism Together on a site that has had such a vibrant and committed group of volunteers. TCV is confident that the addition of our experience and expertise will offer new opportunities to people to get involved and have a lasting positive impact on the park and the health and wellbeing of everyone who wants to join us.”
Euan Hall, Land Trust Chief Executive, said:
“I would like to thank Autism Together for their considerable efforts over the last eight years. Their work at Port Sunlight has made a huge difference to the lives of so many people and it has been a pleasure working with them.”
