Closing the door on 2024

It’s that time of year again — as Sam Fender so eloquently puts it in Wild Long Lie, “when your past comes home, and everybody you’ve ever known wants it large.” We bagged last-minute tickets at the start of December, and this new song has been ringing in my ear ever since.?

I spent some time in Macclesfield with the team this week. Macc is pretty this time of year, with the cobbled streets, fairy lights and new independent shops . I just love it.

In the midst of the festivities, we’ve been racing toward a pre-Christmas bid deadline. A few days spent in person with the team made all the difference. There’s something about being in the same room that makes tackling complex projects feel more manageable. Problems shared are problems halved, right? Oh, and of course the Quality Street that get passed around the office this time of year (and yes Strawberry creams are the best).

A standout moment was overhearing James Cross, one of our senior developers, mentoring Ryan Hill, our new apprentice. It’s those organic, in-the-moment conversations that define us as a team, a reminder of what we miss when we’re remote sometimes. I’ve made a mental dedication to spend more time in the office in 2025.

Rounding up the week with an expertly planned workshop from Lee Emery CMgr MCMI and Mille Clausen and Chris Bush , that we ran with Shelter, understanding their challenges which was extremely sobering at this time of year. We helped to map out some of their services and challenges, with a thought to the future. We brought our friends in from Nexer Insight Carl T?nseth and Patrik Hallsj?, PhD , and it was so nice to collaborate in this way and learn from them.

At our final team forum of 2024, Elizabeth Buie, PhD FRSA and Jade-Marie Fleuriot presented their work on an inclusive language guide. It’s a vital project that’s teaching us all so much. The language we use shapes every interaction, and it’s inspiring to see the team’s commitment to getting it right. They’ll be sharing more about this soon, so stay tuned.

I had the pleasure of catching up with Kelly Molson this week, after reaching out on LinkedIn. We had a chat about the highs and lows of business development, proof of how generous people can be in this industry when it comes to sharing their time and experiences. It’s reassuring to know the challenges I sometimes face aren’t unique to me, and her advice has already got me thinking ahead to 2025.

Driving home, I passed a Peaks & Plains Housing Trust van and McCann Manchester ’s offices. It's that time of year where you notice happenstance, which serves as a nice reminder of how the digital work we do for clients transpires into the real world around us. As we look to 2025, we’ll be working with our friends at Paper to plan an event focussed on housing, local government, AI and the Renters’ Reform Bill. I'd love to hear from you if you’re in these sectors and want to join the conversation.

Camp Digital will also return for its 13th year in 2025, and we have big plans to share more through our socials and newsletters. If you’re not already subscribed, now’s the time to sign up, not to be missed.

December has hit me like a speed train. They say the body keeps score, and between winter illnesses and the unrelenting pace of work, I’ve been battling the urge to hibernate. It’s a reminder of how much we focus on productivity, efficiency, and being at the top of our game on platforms like LinkedIn, but rarely do we talk about rest, recuperation, and wellbeing. Social media, after all, is a highlight reel, not a mirror of real life.

As I sign off for 2024, I’m ready for a proper break. No counting steps (or calories for that matter, I'm ready for my food coma!), just giving my family and friends the attention they deserve with plenty of hugs and time together. After all, we never know when it might be the last time.

Here’s to taking a well-deserved break, recharging, and coming back in 2025 with fresh energy and focus.

Wishing everyone who's celebrating a restful and joyful end to 2024. See you on the flip side. ????