One Year On

An address that Charlotte Bailey, Director of People and Organisational Development gave before today's one minute silence for National Day of Reflection:

Today marks a year since we have been living with Covid.

And shortly, Dot Griffiths our Chair, will lead us into a one-minute silence of reflection and remembrance.

Before she does I want to say a few words about the last year.

This last year has impacted everyone whether that’s personally, professionally or both. None could have ever imaged that on the 23 March 2020 we were about to be hit with an international pandemic that would change our lives forever.

I want to start with a thank you to our wonderful staff who have been truly amazing - they have worked tirelessly with determination and persistence, many of whom have not had a proper break or holiday for a long time. Whatever role people have played at work over the last year - thank you, we would not have got through this without you.

Reflecting back over the past year I imagine it’s changed every single one of us in quite dramatic ways. We have been through two major covid surges and dealt with three lockdowns; we have been locked away from our families and friends and our social lives. We have come into work day after day, for some seven days a week with no holidays. For others they have been restricted to the confines of their own homes, having to shield away from society for their own safety. We have sadly lost work colleagues and many of us have had friends and family members affected by the virus. We have been faced with the reality that systemic health inequalities continue to exist and seen the awakening of campaigns to improve equality, inclusion and diversity. We have watched unemployment soar and our physical and mental well-being has been challenged.

Despite all this we haven’t given up - we have fought the virus, found new ways to work and engage with each other. We have shown resilience, we have grown, we have learnt, we have appreciated, we have created new bonds and we have found new ways to connect socially.

I am not sure about others but my own emotions have hopped from ones of concern and sadness, to anger and fear, to hope and determination, to relief and calmness to rebellion and irritation, to optimism and confidence.

I met my father this weekend for a walk. It’s the first time I’ve seen him in 18 months and I am one of only five people he has seen in the last year. As we stood there saying our hellos, we questioned “are we allowed to hug”?? One of the simplest things in life questioned - can I hug my own father? It made me realise all the things in life before covid, which I had taken for granted - the simple things that covid took away - popping round to my best friends for a chat (code for drinking wine together!), escaping for a weekend break by the sea, visiting my family.........hugging my Dad!!! It’s made me appreciate the little things so much more than I would have before.

My Dad is full of wisdom and even now (in my older years) he imparts his advice. As I was sharing with him the challenges of my step son’s mental health and the impact covid had on him and us, he said “Charlotte you need to reflect, respond and re-plan all at the same now”. I laughed and responded with humour telling him he had swallowed the Public Sector book of jargon!!! But he was right....and as we walked we reflected on the year that had passed, how it had changed us and what we had personally been through. We talked about how we felt now, how we were coping and how we spend our days but, most of all, we mused about what our plans were, where our next holiday was going to be, when we would get together with the rest of the family and how we would live our lives differently.

This year has challenged and changed us all. Taking time to look back and understand what it’s meant for us is important. Whether that’s individually, with your team or colleagues, with friends or with family. It’s important to acknowledge where we are now and respond to today. However now is also a time to start to re-plan (as my Dad called it) and think about all those things that are in very near sight.

One year on from covid we have grown as people, as teams, as families and as communities. This experience will make us stronger and as the vaccine is rolled out and the restrictions start to lift we enter into a new era, holding memories and learning as we move forward with a refreshed sense of purpose......and hopefully a booked holiday or break!!

I end where I started with a heartfelt thank you from me and from my executive colleges for everything you have been, everything you are and everything you will be. A year with covid we are here and we are strong!!!

I now hand over to Dot who will lead us into a minute’s silence of remembrance and reflection.