A Year in Review: Reflecting on 2024’s Journey

As 2024 draws to a close, it’s the perfect time to pause, reflect, and celebrate the highs and lows of a busy and rewarding year. This year has been a whirlwind of experiences, accomplishments, and growth, and I’m excited to share the highlights of my journey.

January: Kicking Off the Year with Advocacy

The year began with a partnership between the Richard Whitehead Foundation, where I serve as a trustee, and Nissan. We delivered a disability awareness session at their Maple Cross offices, helping staff understand the importance of accessibility. Using tools like wheelchairs, visual impairment goggles, and one-handed challenges, employees experienced disability firsthand. The feedback was incredible—many shared how eye-opening the day was.
I also spoke at Pro Manchester’s event, addressing over 100 business leaders in a lively Q&A session. Personally, January remains my “hibernate” month—a time to recharge with family and friends during the quiet winter evenings.

February: Lights, Camera, Action!

February turned into a TV-centric month! We collaborated with Tully Kearney MBE, a former member of our Manchester frame-running hub, for filming with Granada Reports featuring our frame-running sessions, showcasing the sport’s transformative impact. This exposure led to a surge in interest, with an ever-growing waiting list to join our sessions. However, the cost of purchasing frames (around £4,000 each) remains a challenge and we are at capacity.
Additionally, BBC Northwest Tonight highlighted my Xplore DisAbility app in a news segment filmed at a Preston primary school. Seeing children and teachers interact with the app and provide feedback was a gratifying experience. While stepping into the media spotlight was out of my comfort zone, the overwhelmingly positive response made it worthwhile.
We also continued our support of the Prince’s Trust (now King’s Trust) TEAM programme, delivering over 30 sessions this year to help 400+ young people develop empathy and understanding around disability.

March: A Month of Celebrations and Growth

March was exhilarating as both our frame-running initiative and Explore DisAbility Media aired on TV. The exposure brought in a flood of inquiries and applications. On the personal front, March was filled with family celebrations, including Mother’s Day and many birthdays, offering a much-needed pause after a hectic start to the year.

April: International Opportunities

April focused on writing new courses, business planning, and gearing up for the athletics season in terms of classification. Having spent the previous 9 months going through a rigorous training and exam process, I attended the World Para Athletics international classification training in Marrakech, becoming one of 9 newly qualified International classifiers globally to achieve international certification. Out of over 150 applications world wide, I got into the last 40. The 10-day training was intense, with 15–16-hour days, but the experience was invaluable. I left with lifelong friendships and a qualification and opportunity that opens doors for international travel starting in 2025.

May: Building on Inclusion

After recovering from Marrakech, I got back into work mode, attending the Lancashire Inclusion Summit. We discussed how schools can foster inclusive environments, allowing disabled students to thrive. We showcased the Xplore DisAbility App to many Lancashire schools. In May, I was also honoured to be named a finalist at the She Inspires Awards (more of this to come later). Meanwhile, we developed new online courses to launch in 2025, focusing on workplace inclusion and sports classification.

June: A Personal Milestone

June was transformative as I finally underwent knee surgery after a prolonged injury. Returning to exercise has been a game-changer for my physical and mental well-being. Shortly after, we showcased our work at the Northern Education Conference, promoting the Explore DisAbility app and our See Me, Not My CP campaign to schools across Northern England.

July and August: A Sporting Summer

Summer offered a welcome slowdown, allowing me to indulge in my passion for watching sports, particularly Euro 2024 and the Olympics. I also served as a mystery shopper, evaluating accessibility for various organisations. Additionally, I supported para-athletes at the UK School Games in Loughborough—a role I’ve cherished since 2008.

September: A Month to Remember

September was unforgettable. A trip to Paris for the Paralympics included witnessing Anna Nicholson, an F35 shot putter I once coached, win a bronze medal—a dream come true for both of us and a day that I will never forget. Back home, work ramped up with impactful disability awareness sessions for Paddle UK and delivering an inclusive Boccia session as part of Manchester Foundation Trust Spina Biffida Sports Day.
We also hosted our first adult recreation camp for individuals with cerebral palsy or neurological impairments. Over five days, participants pushed their limits through activities like climbing, sailing, and archery, building confidence and friendships along the way. We can’t wait for our 2025 camp!

October: A Seat at the Table

In October, I found myself at the House of Lords for a networking session, an opportunity I never imagined. It was a privilege to showcase Xplore DisAbility and connect with inspiring individuals and organisations.
Additionally, I became a lead athletics classifier in the UK, capping off a decade-long journey since I first ventured into classification in 2013. I still feel I have a lot to learn and still learn from more experienced classifiers.

November: Recognition and Reflection

November was about wrapping up projects and celebrating achievements. The highlight was winning the Women in Digital, Media, and Marketing category at the She Inspires Awards. This recognition reminded me of the impact of our work and renewed my motivation to continue driving change.

December: Looking Ahead

As the year winds down, December is for reflection and planning. With exciting projects on the horizon for 2025, the entire Ability Consultancy and Ability Digital teams are ready to make an even greater impact in the year ahead.

Final Thoughts

2024 has been a year of challenges, growth, and unforgettable moments. As I take a well-deserved break to recharge with family, and friends, and a few Christmas films thrown in, I’m filled with gratitude for the journey so far and excitement for what lies ahead in 2025. We look forward to working with existing organisations and new ones to keep accessibility and inclusion on every business and employer’s radar.

Here’s to another year of making a difference!