Susie Little set up the Facebook group Covid Co-Operation, Harrogate, as the first lockdown began, and has spent the year co-ordinating community support in all sorts of ways. She tells the Stray Ferret about the insight that has given her into the realities of people's lives.

I was asked the other day what have I missed the most since the start of the pandemic and, without question, it’s hugs.

Not just hugs from the people I love, but the ability to hug all the amazing, kind and generous people I’ve met this year through the Facebook group, Covid Co-Operation, Harrogate, which I started in March, just before the first lockdown started.

When creating the group, I thought we might end up with 100 or so people who wanted to help, and seeing it turn into a group with nearly 11k members at its peak, has been quite an experience. The wonderful group admin team and members have helped hundreds, maybe thousands, of Harrogate people over the last 10 months, with everything from shopping to buddy phone calls to furnishing new homes for homeless people who have nothing.

We raised over £11,000 for six very local charities during the first lockdown, and nearly £2,500 for Christmas presents for disadvantaged children during the second. Over and over again, people have stepped up and given their time and money to solve the problems and needs of others without hesitation.

News of the vaccine approval earlier this month has had a profound effect, certainly for me, on mental health going into the new year.

2020 has been so difficult mentally for everyone, irrespective of financial status or domestic set-up. Those who live alone crave company; those who don’t crave solitude! Already vulnerable families have become more so, families doing OK previously have dropped into the vulnerable category without warning, and domestic abuse has seen a truly horrific increase.

The vaccine, with enough take-up, gives us freedom to improve living conditions for the most vulnerable in our area. It gives hope and light; a belief that one day soon this will be behind us.

Personally, 2020 has given me an insight into just how difficult everyday life is for so many people, and it has been a privilege to play a small part in alleviating some of that hardship during a year which every single one of us fervently hopes never ever happens again.

Read more:

• Harrogate Covid Co-Operation raises money for Xmas gifts for kids


• Harrogate covid group 'still here to help', says co-founder