Zoom has broadened my horizons and opportunities.

I’ve joined in more events this year than ever. Video conferencing has been the saviour of 2020.

I’d done the odd Zoom before but I’ve at least quadrupled my video conferencing experience this year.

And I think it’s marvellous. I mean, yeah, Zoom fatigue is a thing, but it’s just such an inclusive technology. I love it.

It’s not just the curse of 2020 which scuppers my ability to attend ‘live’ events. It’s at-home commitments. When you have a child and your family aren’t on your doorstep, your ability to get to events is limited anyway. So, when I reflect on this year, I think I have ‘joined in’ with more things than I would do normally. I don’t think I would have made it to the CIEP conference in Milton Keynes this year, but I was able to join them online.

My husband has noticed the benefits of this, too. He’s joined a few clubs online this year. One brilliant benefit, he tells me, is that people see him first and not his guide dog. They get to know him before they notice his disability. That makes such a difference.

So, as the vaccine programme is rolled out and we all look to the future and hope to get back to normal, I hope that video networking sticks around as an option.

In our house, it’s made a world of difference.