The past few weeks have seen our newsfeeds on LinkedIn flooded with pictures of award ceremonies, and acknowledgements of so many organisations and individuals across the Nursing & Social Care sectors being recognised for the incredible and, literally, life changing work they carry out. 

This year saw me attend the Great British Care Awards in Cardiff, and for these particular awards it was my first rodeo. It most certainly did not disappoint. I felt rather emotional during the evening. The fact my sister had been nominated for Nurse of the Year certainly brought a smile to my face, but it was more than that for me. That evening marked the first time, post-covid, that I had sat in a room full of people that share my values, share my passion for everything Nursing & Social Care. I couldn't help but think about what the people, all sitting in that room, had been through these past few years. Covid changed the world, but no world more than Healthcare. I sat back and took it all in. 

For those that know me, you will know that I most definitely was not sitting quietly all night, but I took a moment or two, utterly humbled to be in the room with them all. It really was a privilege. No one (apart from the media) talks about covid much now, but this sector of ours is still in recovery, and I forecast this will remain the case for several years to come. Without the people in Nursing & Social Care, the country would be at a stand still. Every single one of them are winners, but also idols for future generations and should be put on a pedestal for what they sacrificed and what they did for us all.

Such an honour to be sat with you all again, and certainly not an evening I will ever take for granted again. 

Congratulations and thank you to all of the winners, nominees and your teams. 

I look forward to attempting to dance again with you all on the dancefloor next year.