Covid-19 Life Update

As we approach the start of February 2021, I thought I would give you an update on my Life Since July 2020 as that was the last time I think I gave an update.

In July 2020, I attended my first virtual scout camp. This was organically supposed to be a face to face camp at Scout Adventures Lochgoil but COVID-19 got in the way. Anyway, the virtual camp was great and It was great to involved again. We managed to walk virtually between Lochgilphead and Gilwell Park (UK Scouting HQ) during the weekend and clicked up a massive 480 miles during 3 days.

In August, I traveled to Stepps to see my Pal Lindsay, This was a great night as I had not seen her face to face since March so quite a long time. Also during the month of August, I attended the Virtual Young Scot Awards which was a great night, and again congratulations to all of the winners. Talking about Young Scot, at the end of August, Young scot launched Young Scot Hive #YSHive. I attended their launch event on the 2nd of September and this was great as I was part of the Steering Group.

Jumping forward to the 16th September and my Work Scottish Commission for People with Learning Disabilities (SCLD) ran a Myth Busting – Employment barriers faced by people with Learning Disabilities for employers and people with Learning Disabilities. I spoke at this webinar and this was great and we had over 60 people there. My Friend and SCLD volunteer John also spoke at this webinar.

October comes and I am looking forward to the weekend in Edinburgh my family has had booked. This was originally supposed to in April but thanks for COVID-19 Lockdown (thanks china for giving us this), we had to move it. This weekend was a special weekend as It was my sister's 21st and my mum's 50th Joint birthday weekend. We had a nice dinner and drinks in Edinburgh. It was short and sweet but It was nice to be away from Lanarkshire for the night.

Also in October, I started the Rural Youth Project Rural Change Makers Programme. This was a 4 Week program on a Friday morning. The program had a series of topics that we learned like Leadership, Community Building, Enterprise, and Communications. In between the 4 weeks, there was an Ideas Café for young People aged 18-35 held on the 28th of October 2020 which was great and this was open to people on the program and any other young people. Look out for more details for the next one at the end of the blog.

Jumping to November and on the 12th November 2020, I attended the International Institute for Disability Leadership (IIDL) meeting. I attended with my CEO in SCLD Charlie McMillian and Kirsty Gilchrist from Inspiring Scotland. This was a really good meeting and there were lots of interesting conversations and presentations. I will hopefully be doing more work with the IIDL Group so keep an eye out on my Twitter @Smithc1000 for updates coming.

12 Local Authorities got put into Level 4 on the 20th November for 4 Weeks. This was really tough but I managed this and was so glad that on the 19th of November, I was able to go to the pub to watch the Scotland EURO's match with my Pal Stephen. Even better because Scotland qualified.

On the 20th of November (SCLD) held their Annual Scottish Learning Disability Awards via Facebook. This event is usually held with 350 people at a hotel each year but again this year due to the pandemic, this was changed to online. Since then 4.5K people have seen this. You can see the awards here if you have not seen this - https://www.facebook.com/306798516080681/videos/1067769870341246

On the 21st Of November, I attended my 1st Face to face scouting since March. Unfortunately due to Lanarkshire being in level 4, it was an outside Scouting. This was great and the cubs loved it. We scouting face to face until the 19th of December when we closed for Christmas.

Unfortunately before Christmas, I lost my Granny. This was a bit of a horrible time for us and on Christmas eve, we said our final goodbye to her. This was really sad and emotional., Due to only 20 People allowed to be there, we got it lived streamed so people could join us.

On Christmas day we had a nice dinner with the family and over Christmas and new year, I caught up with everyone Virtually as Scotland is now in a National Lockdown. I held NYE Via Zoom with some friends and we had some drinks and played Virtual Cards Against Humaity.

When I returned to work in January 2021, I had a Review Meeting and I got offered a new job. I am delighted to say I am now SCLD's Development Worker. I was originally Events and Information Assistant.

Since I have started my new job, I have delivered 3 Presentations to Glasgow Clyde College Virtually, Attended some meeting for some exciting events (coming soon). I have also Chaired my 1st Webinar ever and this was an employment webinar. This webinar we had a panel and a Q and A session.

There is something exciting happening with the webinar i charied so please keep na eye out soon.

Thank you for reading my blog and see you next month for another one.

Cameron