When lockdown was announced, it felt like Christmas to me. I don't mean that it was full of joy and gifts. It was more that I got that familiar feeling of other people turning to family, while I relied on myself.

I left care at 16 and except for one residential care worker who stayed in touch with me because she chose to, it's always been me. I spend the 25th of December with people who are in a similar situation. It is a day that reminds us of absence.

There's still joy in our lives the rest of the year. Before 2020, the world only stopped for one day though. Flatmates going back to their family, friends texting back on the 26th.

So please do spare a thought for those who don't have someone to visit, a hello for the person who is still walking around the park themselves, and in phase 3, a burger for the person pushing a buggy alone past the barbeques.

So here we go with this new phase. I'm so glad that I've got this weekend to "Share the Love" with other Care Experienced people at the @whocaresscot digital festival. It's perfect that it's happening on the weekend that people are getting back to whatever family they can.