2022 has been a tough year. Coming out of the pandemic, our bank accounts were pretty thin (empty). The year’s focus was to get some money so we could start feeling a bit ‘normal’ again. We had all fingers and toes crossed for a good tourism season so Dan could get ‘back on the road’ guiding. Now that we have a Doris dog, one of us has to stay home, so I needed to finish my contract with Edventure and focus on my other projects.
It is easy to get to the end of the year and feel like I have not achieved my goals. I could list all my failures, but that’s no fun! I have taken some time going through my calendar to work out all the amazing things I have been a part of in the last year, and want to share some of them with you.
Content Creator award
I received an email from SME News to let me know that I had been awarded the ‘Most influential content creator’ award. What a lovely recognition! But, I also know that this is a marketing tool. In order to be listed on their website as a winner, and to receive an award with my name on it, I need to pay over £200, which I am not going to do. It was still really special to believe that I have been noticed – maybe social media really does have a benefit.
TEDxFrome
Years ago I attended TEDx in Frome. I loved it and was excited to support it again. But, sadly, it did not happen again in Frome. I did some research and decided to apply for a licence. I was utterly thrilled to receive a licence to host an in-person TEDxFrome event in 2022. What a privilege! I selected a local panel for the auditions, the talented Deon Newbronner ran a speakers workshop, and in October our 10 speakers delivered their ‘idea worth spreading’ at the Merlin Theatre.
I am so pleased that all 10 of our speakers have been featured on the TEDx website and YouTube channel. It was an overwhelming experience and I am so inspired by the speakers, their brave approach to their ideas and the energy and passion they brought to the process and the event.
Celebrate Southern Africa
This year the Celebrate Southern Africa market, was, as always, a hug success. I was so proud to be sponsored by Brand South Africa, which gave me the money to put on more entertainment. I have no idea how many people came on the day, but I would guess at about 1,500. The buzz on the day is always magical. And I am so incredibly proud of the Southern African community working so hard to make a successful life for their families.
In November the Celebrate Book Festival featured Southern African writers in the UK, South Africa and the US. Their books ranged from sci-fi to personal development, historical novels and poetry. Each interview is available on the Celebrate YouTube channel and will be published on the podcast.
The Celebrate Southern Africa Gifts Facebook groups have, again, been hugely successful. During the pandemic so many of those in our community who make their money at markets, were unable to sell their products and services. I set up a UK Facebook group where each trader has an album which acts as a ‘stall’ for the trader to showcase their products and services.
I realised so many South Africans struggle to find gifts for their friends and family in South Africa. Posting is not an option as things go missing in the post. Couriers are expensive. So the Celebrate Gifts South Africa Facebook group is for businesses in South Africa who will deliver gifts to our loved ones. It saves money and most importantly, we get to support South African small businesses from abroad.
Both these groups have had such brilliant traffic and those listed have had some sales boosts, which has been so fantastic, and exactly what I was hoping.
International Women’s Day
In March 2022 I invited speakers to come forward to do a 5 minute Lightning Talk to celebrate International Women’s Day. The talks ranged from careers for young people, writing a book, women’s rights and being brave when immigrating. It was a wonderfully warm evening. I, as always, was so moved by the women who were stepped forward to speak.
Enterprise Advisor
For years I have been invited to schools to speak at their career days about teaching, tourism and social media. I was contacted by someone who included me in these events, who is now in a new job. She invited me to volunteer as an Enterprise Advisor. I am connected to a local middle school and help them meet their career criteria in the classroom. I deliver talks, I connect the school with people I know who can help them, and give support any way I can.
It has been a lovely experience and given me an opportunity to be back in the classroom, but without the ‘other stuff’ that drove me out the of the teaching profession.
Kickstart Programme
In November 2021 I accepted a job at Edventure to complete the Kickstart Scheme. This is a government programme to help young people get back into work. And, because the government paid their salary, the scheme helped businesses post-pandemic financially and with an extra pair of hands.
I delivered training in social media, job interviews, Green issues and confidence. I visited the young people in their workplace and supported them in their working and personal life. This role was incredibly rewarding and I am proud to have been part of the programme.
The programme came to an end in September. But I have remained connected with those who need some mentorship by referring them to community groups and organisations for continued support.
Blogs
I set a goal for myself in January that I would write a blog post a day in 2022. At the time of the publishing of this blog post I have only written 260 blog posts. These are on this website, on my councillor website and guest blogging. I am sad I did not complete the challenge within the year, but I will complete it into 2023. I would like to have 365 blog posts written by the end of February, at the lastest. So, although this is not a total win, it is a huge achievement I am pretty proud of.
Sold my book
I published my ‘Walking Tour Guiding’ book in 2021. This, I suppose it is my Lockdown Book. I have not focused on it as I should, but am proud to say I have sold it in bulk to a travel company and I have received such lovely feedback. So, I look forward to putting more effort into selling my book in 2023. I love my book and would love more people to get their hands on it.
The Write Place
As part of my ‘Write a Non-Fiction Book’ course, I hosted a monthly online get-together with a guest speaker. I called it ‘The Write Place, and topics covered were:
- Social media for a personal brand/writer
- Self-publishing
- Writing for children
- Putting together a cookbook
- Creative writing for therapeutic purposes
- How to get your book into bookshops
And more….
What I enjoyed the most was to have a space for those who have written a book, started a book, or only at the ‘thinking about a book’ stage. By the end of the year we had a wonderful community who chattedm shared and supported each other. Fingers crossed there will be more books from these amazing human beings in 2023.
Community Radio Awards
Judging the Community Radio Awards is always such a privilege. I love hearing about all the wonderful things communities are doing around the country. I hope to get to the awards event in 2023 to meet all those who make radio in the UK that truly impacts lives.
Talks
Before the Lockdown in 2020 I committed to doing a talk a month. That of course didn’t happen, although I did do many talks online. Since then I have done more online, but also in-person, which has been great fun.
- Jewish Care – my talk was about the Jewish connection with the anti-apartheid movement
- Denman at Home – I spoke about growing up in apartheid South Africa
- Frome Town Council – at the Working Lunch events I did a talk about using video on social and in December, a talk about business preparation for 2023)
I have also sent an email to every history group in Somerset to offer a talk on the 1820 Settlers. I have quite a few bookings for 2023, which is very exciting!
Southern African community
This year has been tough to get people together. Pre-pandemic we managed to have a regular lunch or meet-up with Southern Africans in Somerset and Wiltshire. But we did manage a Sunday lunch in Mere in Wiltshire and ‘koffie en koek’ in Frome at the Independent Market.
Tennis
I have remained at the Frome Selwood tennis club this year. My game has improved (hoorah) and I am meeting a whole new circle of friends. I just love moving my body and gaining new skills. And the tennis club has monthly themed evenings with food from around the world, which is also just brilliant!
ParkRun
As a menopausal women, I am, along with millions, struggling to manage my weight. I am naturally slim, but in the last few years have felt like an ouph! I signed up to the Frome ParkRun to get out every Saturday. This is not to run, but to walk. I invite friends to join me, so I get to chat, enjoy being outside, and by 10am on a Saturday morning, I have got 5km on my legs. I love love love it!
Blood donation
I discovered years ago that I have rare Ro subtype blood (only 2% of regular donors have the Ro subtype). My blood is needed for those with Sickle Cell Anemia – a blood condition in mostly West Africa and the Caribbean (due to the slave trade).
This year I hit my 10th donation in the UK. I took a gap of many years but am so thrilled I can donate to help those in need.
Women’s Institute
I have always been fascinated by the Women’s Institute (WI) and attended their meetings as a guest pre-pandemic and this year I decided to join. I love the opportunity to meet with ladies of all ages, have tea and cake, hear some lovely talks and workshops and make stuff.
And, I auditioned (online) to go into the brochure for Somerset as a speaker. I have been booked in for a few talks already for 2023 and am so looking forward to sharing my experience of apartheid with WI groups across the county.
Drinks After Work Network (DAWN)
So many people in Frome now work from home. I also know how lonely it is to work for yourself. I asked around and the feeling was the same for many. They miss drinks after work. Once a month we meet at a local pub (a different one every month) for a Friday evening drink. It is so much fun to meet new people, laugh, share stories and network. The DAWN programme is all set for 2023 and I know it will be as fun as it has been in 2022.
Philosophy course
My dear friend Deon gave me a short course for my birthday. This introduction to philosophy was a 10 week online course which I loved. It was so special to spend time learning again, sharing, connecting and exploring concepts. I loved it so much that I have asked Dan to buy the next course for my Christmas present. So, in January I start the ‘Happiness’ course with the London School of Philosophy, which I am very excited about.
Community Connector
The community means so much to me, and when I met two of the Mendip Health Connectors at a Facitliation course I did earlier in the year, I was eager to learn more. I undertook the hour training session and am now a Frome ‘Community Connector’. And I now have a badge which I proudly wear around town, and it is the best conversation opener. I have had loads of conversations already and I know I have made an impact, which is heart-warming.
Elected
Probably the biggest thing that happened to me this year is that I was elected as a Somerset County Councillor. It is such a privilege to represent the over 7,000 people who live in the Frome North area. But, it has also been tough. After an article about me in a national newspaper I received a lot of online abuse. I have also had to report an abusive situation to the police and have had to deal with losing friends.
But, I am proud of the work I am doing to help my community, the role I am playing at the Somerset Council on the Adult and Social Care Scrutiny committee and on the Members Development committee. As part of my role I attend parish council meetings, local council meetings and have met many local organisations and community groups.
I have always dreamed of being involved in politics, and am thus incredibly happy to fulfil a goal I have had since I was a teenager. I am in this role until 2027 and know I can make a big difference in that time.
Looking back on the year
It has been a tough year financially. I am spent emotionally having supported so many around me who are going through tough times. Entering the menopause has not been easy either. But I have kept myself sane with crochet, painting on glass bottles, writing loads, walking my gorgeous dog, baking using recipes from World War 2, decluttering and reading lots.
2022 has not been my best year, but I have grown. I have learnt a lot about myself, and how I am valued (or not) by others. And I have channelled my inner ‘only child’ and spent more time on my own than I have for a long time. I always loved my own company and 2022 has given that back to me.
Thank you to all those who were a part of 2022. I know 2023 is going to be an adventure and I hope you can join me.
