Health Minister Robin Swann, a doctor, a nurse, a school principal and more reveal their new year wishes

As we enter a new year, all of us will be hoping the nightmare that was the old one will never, ever, be repeated.

Covid has personally affected all of us to some extent. Here, those who felt its force outline their hopes for a fresh start and better times in 2021.

The Health Minister

Robin Swann

“There is no doubt that coronavirus will still be with us in 2021 and we will still face significant challenges. However I do think we can look ahead with a sense of hope for better days.

“2020 will be forever etched in our memories. At best, it will be remembered as the year our lives were disrupted by a global pandemic. But sadly, for many families it will be the year that they lost someone they loved. My greatest wish for 2021 is that we can all do what is required to spare other families this pain.

“I also want everyone to remember what our health service has done for us all in 2020. The lengths they have went to this year is more than any of us can ask for. Let us continue to show them our respect and appreciation in 2021 and beyond.

“Finally, my hope for society is that we remember what can be achieved when we worked together. We united together in a common purpose, together we fought this virus, together we saved lives.”

THE DOCTOR

Dr Leanne Davison works in the RICU at the RVH in Belfast and is chair of the BMA SAS doctor committee

“As we have all seen recently, the winter always places pressure on the health system, but after the last nine months of dealing with the extra pressures the Covid pandemic has brought our staff - doctors, nurses, pharmacists, dieticians, speech therapists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, auxiliaries, housekeepers, domestics, canteen staff, porters, and all of the others who help run the NHS – we are all exhausted.

“We are worried about our own health, our families’ health, education and work and most important we worried about how we can provide the best care for patients over the next few weeks and months.

“Therefore my wish for 2021 is that everyone will listen to the guidance we have been given and continue to take precautions around Covid over the next few weeks, so as to keep themselves, their family and the wider population safe. It’s a sacrifice, as we all want to be with our wider families, but we are so close to the vaccination programme being rolled out that’s a sacrifice worth making.

“I am hopeful that by spring we will see our lives beginning to return to what they were before, and that is something I think we all wish to see.”

THE NURSE

Amanda Smith

“I am an ICU nurse and an RCN Steward who has been working in the Nightingale during the first and second Covid surges.

“Although I know that this will not be a normal Christmas I hope that families can have a peaceful Christmas and New Year through exercising their personal choice not to expose their vulnerable family members to potential Covid infection. As a result of these personal choices I hope for a reduction in people needing hospital treatment for Covid and for families to avoid the sadness and death of loved ones that is associated with this.

“With the introduction of the Covid vaccination programme I anticipate that there will be a good uptake of the vaccination by healthcare staff and the vulnerable members of our society.

“I hope that during the summer this will translate into the resumption of people being able to go on holiday and have dinner out in a restaurant without being concerned about the risk of becoming infected with Covid.

“I hope that by the end of the year 2021 we will again enjoy some of the freedoms, if not all the freedoms that we all previously took for granted prior to the Covid pandemic.

“Also I am hopeful that the health service and governments will continue to prioritise public health, that they will workforce plan for the health service and that they will carry out disease surveillance and planning to mitigate the risks of further epidemics.”

THE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL

Amanda McNamee MBE, Lagan College, Belfast

“What should have been the start of a new year and new decade with many exciting possibilities, brought a palpable sense of fear, uncertainty, confusion and disruption for all of us.

“By March we found ourselves in lockdown, children were learning online and ‘face, space and hands’ had become the new mantra!

“2020 will go down in the school history books as a year that no one will ever forget, not just because of the Covid-19 pandemic and the sad loss of life and family heartache around the globe but also because of the deep humanitarianism shown by many, the acts of kindness, courage and resilient spirit discovered. It is truly remarkable to me as a school leader, that often the worst of times brings out the very best in people.

“I learnt a very valuable life lesson this year and that is that the human spirit can triumph through adversity and there is always hope!

“As a school principal my wish for 2021 is for our children to enjoy freely being able to grow up and learn together, to play, laugh, sing, smile and hug loved ones again, knowing that our future will get brighter.”

THE HOTELIER

Ciaran O’Neill, managing director, Bishop’s Gate Hotel, Londonderry

“On a personal note 2020 was a mixed year with highs and lows. My wife and I were blessed as we celebrated the marriage of our oldest daughter in August. “The lows of Covid-19 stop and start with Bishop’s Gate Hotel. If I had one wish for 2021 it would be for a little more stability. The introduction of the vaccine brings optimism. We hope to return to a sense of normality within the hotel and tourism sector, as we navigate the road to recovery.

“Our city should recover quickly but we have a challenging period ahead. The sector has been heavily hit by the pandemic in terms of the negative impact to the reputation of our sector. In the hospitality and travel industry, a property lives and dies by its reputation. The New Year is a time to start rebuilding confidence and hotels look forward to returning to more normal trading levels and contributing in a positive way to the local economy.”

THE CHARITY BOSS

Richard Spratt, chief executive, Cancer Focus Northern Ireland

“It would be my wish for 2021 that those whom we serve do not feel defined by their cancer, but that they and their loved ones have the dignity and opportunity for support to live their lives as fully as possible. This is why we exist, to be that difference and stand with cancer patients and their families at one of the toughest times in their lives.

“Along with my dedicated colleagues, we are resolved to continue all aspects of our vital work in the new year with renewed vigour and passion as we work towards a society where cancer is no longer a life-threatening disease.

Over the past months we’ve faced difficult decisions and had to reduce our care services in the short term in order to protect the viability of support for cancer patients in the longer term. I am pleased that we are now steadily rebuilding these vital services so we can go on supporting those who most need our help.

“Our work largely depends on public donations and we are very grateful to everyone who has given so generously and wholeheartedly at a time when we need it more than ever. Thank you – we simply couldn’t do what we do without you! It’s my sincere wish that 2021 will be a much more hopeful and peaceful year for everyone.”

THE BUSINESS OWNER

Robin Mercer, managing director, Hillmount

“2020 has been filled with uncertainty. When the pandemic struck we literally didn’t know if we would completely lose our business overnight. Hillmount is a fourth generation family business which was established by my grandfather 80 years ago this year and in all the years I’ve been involved in the business I don’t think I’ve ever felt fear before like I felt in March this year.

“We have three garden lifestyle centres in Belfast, Ards and Bangor and we employ 100 people including casual staff so I wasn’t just fearful for myself and my family but for all the families that would be impacted if our business weren’t to survive.

“Thankfully our son Alan jumped in to develop our online presence and during lockdown we brought smiles to so many faces as we were able to provide people across the country with home delivery of plants, barbecues and garden furniture to brighten their mood and their gardens.

“I’m apprehensive about what lies in store for us in 2021 as we begin the year in lockdown but we will get a well earned rest and take time to prepare for the implications of Brexit so the service we provide our customers will not be hindered when we reopen. We are also considering expansion plans for Hillmount to bloom into another city so that as a family we can future proof the business. Personally, I’m looking forward to our family expanding and hoping for the healthy arrival of our fifth grandchild early in the new year.”

THE MUSICIAN

Anthony Toner

“Like every other musician in the world, my year has been - essentially - cancelled by the pandemic, and while it has given me personal cause for concern, it also makes me anxious for all the performers, technicians, set builders, sound engineers, venue managers, promoters, box office staff - all of the family of people involved in our industry.

“More than the income and the business of playing music, I miss the sociability of it - meeting people at the shows, playing and working with other musicians.

“So my hopes for 2021 are centred around the return of our world, and the hope that all of these dear friends make it through safely to the other side. Like soldiers coming home from the war.”

THE RESTAURATEUR

Ken Sharpe, owner of The Salty Dog Hotel and Boat House Dining Restaurant in Bangor

“The main feeling from 2020 was uncertainty. Uncertainty of opening and closing, uncertainty of support and when it would arrive, uncertainty in communicating with staff about what was going on, uncertainty in personal life and business life. Draining, debilitating uncertainty.

“Whilst I may not agree with what they have done you look to leaders in other regions of the UK and countries of the world and can only envy businesses that work in an environment where difficult decisions are made firmly and early and communicated clearly, not by leaks and journalists over Twitter.

“I am approaching 2021 with optimism. I think that the first 3 - 4 months will be tough ... to paraphrase Churchill .. the announcement of a vaccine is not the end or even the beginning of the end ... more the end of the beginning.

“I think there will be more disruption until the vaccine is fully rolled out. However, after that I think the desire to get out and about and visit restaurants and bars in groups of more than two households will be strong. There are a lot of birthday parties, anniversaries and other events to be caught up on.

“I think foreign travel will still be down next year meaning that there will be a larger staycation market and a bit more to spend on eating out and having mini breaks at home. I think our proximity to the sea, coast and greenways around Bangor, will tap into the boost for outdoor self contained activities that came about last year. This combined with our dog-friendly approach will see 2021 being a lot of what 2020 wasn’t.”

THE PUBLICAN

Stephen Reynolds, The Front Page Bar, Ballymena

“2020 was a difficult and memorable year for most businesses across N.Ireland. Traditional, non-food pubs like The Front Page Bar were undoubtedly among the hardest hit. We only traded for three weeks following our compulsory lockdown in March 2020. Our 30th anniversary celebrations as an award winning pub, which were due to take place during June 2020, had to be postponed.

“My wife and myself, together with everyone at Team Front Page have put 2020 behind us.

“We will embrace whatever lies ahead and look forward to meeting customers old and new. I sincerely hope that every business, across all of the sectors, has made it out the other side with the opportunity to make a fresh start in 2021.

“Every business, large and small, makes a contribution to the retail, hospitality, service, leisure and tourism mix of any successful local economy. The Front Page Bar in Ballymena, as a traditional non-food pub, has been part of that mix during the last 30 years.”

THE CARE HOME MANAGER

Gill Finlay, Cregagh Nursing Home, Belfast

“As the door closes on what has been the most difficult and stressful year for all our residents, staff and their families,

“I look forward to 2021 with hope and optimism. With our first round of Covid vaccinations due be given soon my wish is that while maintain the safety of our vulnerable residents we can reunite extended family and once again welcome the local community back into our home.

“I look forward to people coming together again and the positive effect this will have on everyone’s wellbeing and mental health.”