2021-A Year I Am Proud Of

I am proud of my achievements in 2021, and hope to continue achieving and living a purposeful and meaningful life in 2022.

2021 has been a difficult year, in terms of the pandemic continuing. Life as we knew it has not returned. There have been further waves and restrictions, and unfortunately writing this it feels like there are more to come.

Work Experience and Getting a Job

I finished 8 months work experience at the end of February 2021, of 3 hours a week. This gave me confidence in myself and enabled me to gain my MAAT status (Member of Association of Accounting Technicians). 

In March 2021, I started my first ever job aged 30, for 4 hours a week. By the end of April this increased to 8 hours as my work load increased, then by the end of November this increased further, to 10 hours a week. Initially, I had a 4-month contract, this then got extended for a further 5 months and now I have just signed a permanent contract!

It may only be very part-time but I am so happy and proud to be a working young woman. It is not that long ago that the thought of this seemed completely impossible. The pandemic and flexibility of working from home has definitely helped considerably. I don’t think I would be able to manage 10 hours a week in the office.

Turning 30

I turned 30 in February. In some respects this is not an achievement as such, but in other respects considering how poorly I have been at times, especially as a teenager and in my early twenties, it is an achievement to reach the milestone. Furthermore, with the Covid situation over the last two years and dodging Covid. I am so pleased to have reached my third decade!

With my birthday being in lockdown my #BenHannah3530 challenge was a fitting way to celebrate it.

Remembering Ben

2021 marked a decade since dear Ben died. This was particularly hard. 10 years. A third of my life.

Celebrating his 35th birthday with my 30th in our #BenHannah3530 challenge felt like the tribute my special brother deserved.

#BenHannah3530

One of my proudest achievements. Ben, we smashed our #BenHannah3530 fundraising target raising £6500 to be shared between Child Bereavement UK, White Lodge and Starlight Children’s Foundation. A huge thank you to the anonymous donation of £46 to push us over the line. It means so much! Thank you to everyone who has supported us, fundraising, participating in your own 30 and 35 challenges, donating and supporting. We could not have done it without you. With a special shout out to Mum and Dad, who have gone above and beyond, especially to Mum who even sported her charity t-shirt being pinned on to her jumper for the final length (as it was a little small) and be videoed. I mean what more can you ask? 

You may like to know our current total is: £6520

#BenHanah3530

National Diversity Awards

In April 2021 I was nominated for a National Diversity Award- Positive role model- Disability. This was a great honour. Unfortunately, I wasn’t shortlisted, nevertheless I was overwhelmed with the support and comments people wrote about me. It was very humbling.

Disability Power 100 2021

I was shortlisted for the Disability Power 100 2021 list in May. Then in October 2021 I found out I had made the Disability Power 100 list under the category Digital Media and Publishing. So, I am officially one of the 100 most influential disabled people in the UK in 2021.

Articles I Have Written and TV Appearances

In February I wrote a follow up guest blog post for Life on the Breadline: How will disabled people manage through the Covid-19 pandemic-9 months on

In February I wrote my first article for Disability Horizons: Using blogging and speaking to raise awareness of disabilities

In March, I contributed my thoughts on Elin’s blog: Dear Younger Self: Advice From Disabled People

I was interviewed by Sassy Wyatt (visit her blog at Thinking out Loud) on her podcast Purple Elephant talking about disability, friends and life.

In July I was on the ITV News talking about Freedom day and how it is not Freedom day for those that are disabled or at higher risk of Covid: Why many aren’t celebrating England’s end Covid lockdown, branding it ‘exclusion day’

In August I was on the ITV News talking about the end of mandatory isolation for those that had been contacted via test and trace or been in close contact with a confirmed case of Covid-19.

In October I wrote for Ability Today Friendly Shoes Review-Shoes That Make a Difference

Journalism

I have completed the last few units at sporadic points throughout the year, when it has been possible. I have now submitted my last unit of my Certificate Foundation in Journalism, fingers crossed, as long as I have passed the last unit, I have completed the course.

My New Blog

In May I went self-hosted with my blog with Lyrical Host. I moved from blogger to WordPress and got my own domain name: hannahshope.co.uk . Plus Hannah’s Hope got a new look and logo. This was a huge task and to be honest I still need to update some old posts, so not entirely finished, but I will get there!

Becoming a Godmother

I officially became a Godmother to little Joe. This is a great honour. I hope I can be a good role model to him.

Fruitfulness on the Frontline 

I am pleased to have completed the Fruitfulness on the Frontline course an online Church course via zoom at the beginning of the year. A course I learnt a lot from and would definitely recommend it to others.

Be Kind to Yourself

If it has been a particularly challenging year for you, don’t be too hard on yourself. You have got through- that is an achievement in itself. We all have good years and bad years. Maybe this year wasn’t for you. I hope next year is your year.

Wishing you a very Happy Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Hannah x